Race History

Prior to the 2010 event there were four Galway City Marathons in the early 1980s. The first race in 1981 also included a 'mini-marathon' of 13 miles and a 'micro marathon' event of 7 miles on the same day. The events were dominated by local Galway athletes.

1981 RESULTS

The first race was held on 30 May 1981. Almost 700 participants ran in the event's three races. The marathon was run on a single circuit that included adjoining villages of Oranmore and Claregalway.

Brian Geraghty of Galway won the 13-mile race while Paul Donovan (Galway) won the 7-mile run from fellow Galway natives Richard Mulligan and Ray McBride. Jean Folan (Galway) won the women's 13-mile run while Niamh Keane (Galway) won the 7-mile event.

1982 RESULTS

The second race was held on 11 April 1982. Almost 2,000 competitors took part in the Marathon and a 10-mile run, which occured on Easter Sunday. On this occasion, the marathon was operated on a two-loop course of the city and had 750 starters.

First Galway athlete home in the marathon was the previous year's winner, Pat O'Connell, in 5th place in a time of 2:28:58. The 10-mile run was won by Joe Scanlon (Galway).

1983 RESULTS

The third race was also held on Easter Sunday, 3rd April. There were 450 runners in the Galway City Marathon and 1,000 runners in a 'Fun Run' of 7 miles. The latter was won by Joe Scanlan (Galway) and Patricia Griffin (Ballinamore), respectively.

1984 RESULTS

In 1984, the race date changed to 3rd June and the event coincided with the visit of President Ronald Reagan to Galway.

END OF MARATHON UNTIL 2010

The marathon was cancelled in 1985 and replaced with a 10km road race. However, the Galway City Marathon was re-introduced to the racing calendar in 2010.

The Galway City Marathon is now operated by Running Adventures Ireland Ltd. T/A Galway City Marathon,  2 Atlanta House, Dominick Street, Galway, Ireland. Reg No. 480674. VAT No. IE 9739073D.