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sport · Saturday 10 October 2026 · Various 
SkyRun the Mournes
At Mourne Mountains · Newcastle, Co. Down
At Mourne Mountains · Newcastle, Co. Down
APEX Running brings SkyRun the Mournes back to Northern Ireland’s highest range on Saturday 10 October 2026, with three trail races run over varying distances through the granite peaks around Slieve Donard. The Mourne SkyUltra covers 50km with more than 3,500 metres of climbing, the Mourne Skyline covers 35km, and the shorter Mourne SkyTrail is a 20km route built around Slieve Donard itself, Ulster’s highest mountain. All three are recognised on the Skyrunning UK calendar under the International Skyrunning Federation.
The event is built around three linked races rather than one course. The SkyUltra starts earliest, at 7am, with a twelve-hour cut-off for its full 50km “grand tour of the Mournes.” The Skyline follows at 9am over 35km, billed as the series’ classic Mournes route, with an eight-hour cut-off. The SkyTrail starts last, at 10am, a 20km route with 1,300 metres of climbing that takes in Slieve Donard, with a four-hour limit. All three courses run through exposed granite terrain that can turn quickly in October weather, so full mandatory kit is typical for skyrunning events of this kind. Entry for all three races is through the njuko online booking platform linked from the event website; runners should check the official page for the current kit list, cut-off details and exact start point before entering.
The Mourne Mountains are reached via Newcastle, Co. Down, the usual gateway town for routes onto Slieve Donard and the Mourne Wall. Exact start and finish arrangements for 2026 are published closer to race day on the event website; parking in the Mournes is limited on race mornings, so allow extra time.
Newcastle sits at the foot of the Mournes and is the natural base for a weekend built around them, with the town’s promenade and Royal County Down close by. There is more to see in Newcastle and across Co. Down.
Heading to Mourne Mountains in Newcastle? Down has plenty more to see. Read the Newcastle area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.