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sport · Saturday 25 July 2026 · 9:00am 
Run Kilkee Half Marathon and 10K 2026
At Kilkee Town · Kilkee, Co. Clare
At Kilkee Town · Kilkee, Co. Clare
Run Kilkee is one of those races where the scenery does a lot of the heavy lifting. Set on the Loop Head Peninsula in west Clare, the half marathon and 10K routes follow the coastal roads of the Wild Atlantic Way, taking in sea cliffs, improbable rock stacks and open Atlantic views from start to finish. If you want a summer race that rewards you for showing up, this is a strong contender - whether you are racing the clock or just taking it all in on the walk-run option.
Both distances start and finish in Kilkee town, right beside the horseshoe bay and the kilometre of blue-flag beach the town is known for. The course is an out-and-back on paved roads, heading out along the peninsula before turning for home. The terrain is rolling rather than flat - there is a steady incline over the opening kilometres and a few undulating sections before the return leg, so it is not a PB course for most, but the views more than compensate.
The half marathon (21.1km) gets underway at 9:00am; the 10K starts at 12:30pm. Both are chip timed and fully marshalled along the route. For 2026 the 10K is already sold out - places for the half marathon are still available through Eventmaster. Entry is from €20.
The organisers, Run Kilkee, have built a small but well-regarded event here. The scale keeps things manageable and the community feel is genuine. Bring layers - Loop Head can be breezy even in late July, and the exposed clifftop roads amplify the wind.
Kilkee sits at the western tip of Co. Clare, roughly 65km from Ennis via the N68 through Kilmihil. The drive from Limerick city takes around an hour and a quarter; from Galway allow closer to two hours. There is no direct bus service to Kilkee, so a car or a lift is the practical option for most visitors.
Parking is available in and around the town centre. Come early on race morning - Kilkee is a popular summer destination and car parks fill quickly at weekends in July.
Kilkee’s horseshoe bay makes it one of the most sheltered swimming spots on the west coast, and the Pollock Holes - natural sea pools carved into the rocks at the southern end of the beach - are worth a visit after the race. The Loop Head Lighthouse, a short drive further west, gives some of the most dramatic cliff scenery in Clare. There is more to see in Kilkee and across Co. Clare.
Heading to Kilkee Town in Kilkee? Clare has plenty more to see. Read the Kilkee area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.