FRESH from the success of their inaugural event, the organisers of the Dingle marathon and half-marathon have announced plans to extend the number of race distances on offer to three in 2010, with the planned inclusion of an ultra-marathon race, writes The Extra Miler.

Scenic Dingle, a beautiful running location

In an email to this year’s participants, race director Ken Dunne wrote, “Looking forward to 2010, I would like to announce that we will be hosting an ultra marathon. Believe me; this is not for the faint hearted. The ultra will leave the village of Castlegregory and travel over the Connor Pass, the highest pass in Ireland, which is truly breath-taking and in to Dingle town to join the main marathon.

It will represent a distance of around 45 miles and will certainly be one of the most spectacular ultras in the world.” This new race will surely prove attractive to anyone looking to move on from the challenge of the standard marathon distance, and given the surroundings, it looks like being a worthwhile addition to the Dingle Marathon’s racing programme.