Getting to the Start
The Connemarathon takes place in Connemara, Co. Galway with the three race distances (half, full and ultra) starting in different places and all finishing in Maam Cross. The ultra starts near Joyces Craft Shop on the N59, the full starts at Lough Inagh and the half starts in Leenane. It is not possible to park at the start areas and buses are provided to bring all participants to the start lines. The buses leave from Galway, Oughterard, Clifden and Delphi Resort and return to these locations after the race.
The times listed below are final departure times for the buses. You MUST arrive at least 15 minutes BEFORE the departure times to secure your seat. The bus is included in the race entry fee for participants who selected a bus pick up location. If you did not confirm a bus pick up location it is assumed that you are local or have made alternative arrangements to get to the race start and you will not be permitted to use the buses.
Departure Times
Half Marathon
Depart Galway: 8:45am (last bus) – buses loading from 8:00am
Depart Oughterard: 9:15am (last bus) – buses loading from 8:45am
Depart Clifden: 9:30am (last bus) – buses loading from 9:00am
Depart Delphi Resort*: 9:45am
Full Marathon
Depart Galway: 9:00am (last bus) – buses loading from 8:30am
Depart Oughterard: 9:30am (last bus) – buses loading from 9:00am
Depart Clifden: 9:45am (last bus) – buses loading from 9:15am
Depart Delphi Resort*: 9:15am
Delphi bus will pick up in Leenane** at: approx. 9:30am
Ultra Marathon
Depart Galway: 7:00am
Depart Oughterard: 7:30am
Depart Clifden: 7:15am
Depart Delphi Resort*: 7:00am
Delphi bus will pick up in Leenane** at: approx. 7:15am
Depart Maam Cross for race start at Recess: 8:20am
*Delphi Resort is a different location than Delphi Lodge. Buses pick up at Delphi Resort only. Click here for directions.
**The pick up location in Leenane will be the car park opposite the Connemara Sheep and Wool Centre (Eircode H91 P28K). There is strictly no parking in this car park as it is the half marathon HQ. The Leenane pick up is for participants staying within walking distance of the village. Please do not drive to Leenane to get the bus from there.
Return Buses
Competitors will be transferred by bus from Maam Cross (finish area) back to Leenane, Delphi Resort, Oughterard, Clifden and Galway City throughout the afternoon after the race. There is no timetable for the return buses. Once a bus is full it will leave and the next one will pull up. You won’t have to wait too long!
Spectator Buses
ALL spectator buses leave at 11am from Galway, Oughterard, Clifden and Delphi Resort.
Buses from Galway
Buses depart from the Cathedral car park in Galway City.
Buses from Oughterard
Buses depart from near the GAA pitches. Please use the public car park.
Buses from Clifden
Buses depart opposite the Station House Hotel in Clifden.
Buses from Delphi Resort
You do not need to be staying at Delphi Resort to park there and join the race bus at this location. This may suit people travelling from Westport, Castlebar, etc.