20 km mountain and trail run up across the spectacular Derrybawn Ridge. 30 km trail and mountain trails on the famous Spinc walk. 10 km trail-only option available in Derrybawn Woods. Starting in Laragh, Co. Wicklow.
The ‘Run the Ridge’ race series consists of a 20 km mixed mountain and trail run, a 30 km mixed rocky trail and trail run, and a 10 km trail run and a junior race. This race is set up to raise funds for local club Laragh GFC and organised with the help of experienced runners and organisers from Glendalough AC and Athletics Wicklow. The event also serves as the Athletics Wicklow Off-Road Championship with all members of Athletics Wicklow club eligible to compete for medals.
The 20k and 30k are UTMB Index qualifier races, and all races count towards the ITRA National League.
The two races also count in the ITRA National League Rankings:
Start and finish / time and place
All races start and finish at the Laragh GFC grounds just next to the centre of Laragh village in the Wicklow Mountains. The event is strictly not-for-profit and all proceeds go to the development of Glendalough AC and Laragh GFC club with funds from the county championships going primarily to Athletics Wicklow.
Registration and start times:
Registration for all the races will open at 7:00am. All runners must sign in and pick up race number and chip.
Start times for the races are as follows:
30k race: 8:30am race start.
Anyone who has signed up online, please collect your race bib onsite no later than 8:00am.
20k race: 9:30 race start.
Anyone who has signed up online, please collect your race bib
no later than 9:00.
10k race: 9:45 race start.
Anyone who has signed up online, please collect your bib no
later than 9:00.
3k race: 10:00am race start.
Anyone who has signed up online, please register no later
than 9:00am
We are aiming to start the races on time. The 30k, 20k and 10k races will be chip timed. Please allow enough time to park, register and be ready to race at the advertised start time.
Prize-giving will take place in the GAA grounds.
The event
The Derrybawn Ridge is the highlight of the Run the Ridge 20k, offering one of the most runnable and scenic routes in Wicklow National Park. This section features seven small peaks, with the highest reaching 492 metres. To reach the ridge, runners pass the old Woollen Mills and climb the iconic ‘Zig-Zag’ trail through Derrybawn Wood before joining the Wicklow Way. After several flowing kilometres on trail and fire-road, the course breaks into open mountain and onto the ridge itself—an unforgettable stretch of exposed high ground and sweeping views.
A short descent leads you back into Derrybawn Wood, where you rejoin the shared course and the fast final descent to the finish at Laragh GFC. There, all runners complete an 800m ‘lap of honour’ before crossing the line and celebrating with a local spread.
The Run the Spinc 30k showcases a different highlight—the Spinc boardwalk and ridge—offering a longer challenge with higher elevation and even more expansive views. The 30k and 20k routes share the first 2 kilometres and the final 3 kilometres, giving all participants a shared start and celebratory finish, regardless of distance.