Beara Way Ultra

Q: What is the Beara Way Ultra? A: The Beara Way Ultra is a 161km single-stage ultra following the Beara Way walking trail around the Beara Peninsula in West Cork, Ireland. Organised by IMRA Munster, the race gains 5,500m D+ with a 37-hour time limit and carries an IMRA difficulty rating of 10/10 Extreme -- the highest possible. The course mixes coastal paths, mountain bog, quiet roads, and farm tracks. It was first held in 2023, making 2025 the third edition. The race is part of the Irish Ultra Championships.

Q: How hard is the Beara Way Ultra? A: Extremely demanding. The race carries an IMRA 10/10 Extreme difficulty rating and a ~37% DNF rate confirmed across editions. At 9.28% distance-weighted average uphill gradient, the climbing is sustained rather than extreme -- but boggy off-camber terrain, Atlantic weather (typically wet and windy in May), and 161km of accumulated fatigue make this significantly harder than gradient data suggests. The final 20km, with the finish visible from a distance, is described by finishers as psychologically the toughest section of the course.

Q: How much does it cost to enter the Beara Way Ultra? A: Entry is approximately 70-80 EUR (0.50 EUR/km). The 2024 official IMRA page listed 70 EUR; the DTR Airtable database records 80 EUR, possibly reflecting a more recent edition. IMRA league events typically open registration only a few weeks before race day. Monitor the IMRA events page (imra.ie/events) for the next edition announcement.

Q: When does the Beara Way Ultra take place? A: The race is held annually in May -- the 2025 edition ran May 15, 2025. Start is from Castletownbere town centre, Co. Cork. The time limit is 37 hours, with a finish deadline on Saturday evening. Check the official IMRA page at imra.ie/events for exact 2026/2027 dates when announced.