Event Bear Races 3/4
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Life Style Sports Irish ¾ Marathon

The Ultimate Test Before Your Big Race

Take on one of Ireland’s most unique distance challenges at the Life Style Sports Irish ¾ Marathon, the perfect confidence-building race before your goal marathon.

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Event Overview

Set in the welcoming village of Longwood, Co. Meath, this event brings together dedicated runners for a focused, supportive, and motivating race experience designed to sharpen your endurance and pacing.

Whether you’re preparing for a marathon, chasing a new challenge, or stepping up in distance, this event delivers a rewarding atmosphere, strong community support, and a finish-line feeling that makes every kilometre worth it. The event has become a favourite among marathon trainees thanks to its ideal timing.

What's Included

Every Bear Races event is designed to deliver a professional, enjoyable, and rewarding experience from start to finish.

Your Entry Includes:

Your Entry Includes:

  • Professionally measured and certified course
  • Chip timing for accurate results
  • Bespoke Running T-shirt
  • Finisher’s medal
  • Finish-line refreshments & goodies
  • Photowall to get your race day snaps
  • 15% off at Lie Style Sports for all participants
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Medal & T-Shirt Reveal

Start & Finish Line Location

Start: Longwood GAA Grounds, Co. Meath
Finish: Village Green, Longwood

Parking

Parking opens from 7:50am in designated fields near the village.

  • Follow marshal instructions at all times
  • No stopping for drop-off on approach roads
  • Carpooling strongly encouraged

 

Bag Drop

Located beside the GAA grounds start area.

Opens from 8:00am

Cut-Off Time

4.5 hours. If you’re targeting anything up to a 6-hour marathon, you’ll finish this comfortably.

Schedule & Waves

Start Time: 10:00am (All runners)

Pacers available for marathon preparation at:

  • Sub-3 Marathon pace
  • Sub-3:30 Marathon pace
  • Sub-4 Marathon pace
  • Sub-4:30 Marathon pace

Race Numbers

Posted: All runners who register 3 weeks before the event date will receive numbers by post.

Collection Required: You must collect your number if:

  • You registered within 3 weeks of the event
  • You supplied an overseas address
  • Your address was incomplete

Route Information

This certified 31.65K (19.66 mile) race takes runners on a scenic anti-clockwise loop through the surrounding countryside and along stretches of the Grand Canal corridor. With gentle rolling terrain and a total elevation gain of under 80 metres, the course is designed to test endurance while still allowing runners to maintain rhythm and pace.

 

Life Style Sports Irish ¾ Marathon

Date

04/10/2026 10:00 am

Distance

¾ Marathon

Max Elevation

Terrain

FAQs

What are the rules of the race?

The rules are to ensure that everyone enjoys a fun, safe and fair event!

1. Please obey the Stewards and Gardai at all times.

2. Please keep to the course cut-off time deadlines.

3. Do not take any shortcuts off the course. You are only cheating yourself.

4. Runners must have their number clearly visible on the front of their running top.

5. Runners who finish the race without a number will not receive a finisher’s medal. There will be no exceptions to this.

6. Outside assistance is not allowed. You may carry your own food or drink but support from cars or bikes is strictly prohibited. This is in the interest of safety and of giving everyone an equal chance.

7. Do not leave valuables in bags left at the bag drop. The organisers cannot accept responsibility for lost, stolen or mislaid bags.

8. It is the responsibility of participants to know the route and change over points.

9. You must register and sign the waiver to be part of the race. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting the race.

I can't run anymore, can I get a refund?

No, refunds are not available.

I can't run anymore, can my friend take my place?

Yes – entries can ‘usually’ be transferred to another runner by submitting an official name change request to our team. Name changes can usually be accommodated up until race numbers have been allocated. No changes can be made after this.

Why can't I run on someone else's number?

If you are not registered for the event in your own name and have not completed the online race waiver as part of the event registration, you are NOT permitted to run. The race entry and race number are allocated to the original purchaser. We would not have any of the emergency contact or medical details for you if you ran on their number and should there be a medical incident we would not know who you were! It is also unfair to other participants when a male runs on a number allocated to a female and visa versa and can cause someone to miss out on their rightful placing as the results will display under the original entry owners name and age/gender category!

What happens if the event is cancelled/postponed/rescheduled?

Should the event be postponed due to occurrences outside the control of the event organiser, the event organiser reserves the right to reschedule the event to a future date.  Those registered for the event will be accommodated on the rescheduled event date.  If the rescheduled event date does not suit the individuals needs, the event organiser will offer a deferral to the next year’s event.

Why do I have to pay for a one-day Licence?

All Athletics Ireland licenced events require participants to be licenced. If you hold annual membership you are covered. Please add your membership details when prompted. If not, you need to add a one-day licence (€2.00) to your registration. These fees do not come to the event organisers, they go direct to Athletics Ireland to support their work and development of the sport.

Can i register a group?

Yes- you can register up to 10 people in one order online. For groups of 10+ participants we can assist you with a group entry. There are discounts available for groups. please contact us at groups@bearraces.ie

Can I raise funds for a chosen charity?

Yes – there is the option on the event registration form to create a fundraising page as part of the registration process.

Can I enter after online entry has closed?

It is usually possible to register on the day, unless the event/distance has already sold-out. Check socials for updates.

When will I get my race number? 

All Irish-based entries who signed up before the postal cut-off will receive their number in the post a week before the event. Anyone who signed up after this will have to collect their number. Overseas and incomplete addresses must collect their race number.

I received my race number in the post but have lost /damaged it. Can I get another one?

Yes – we can cancel the race number you were assigend and remove it from the race list. We will then be able to assign you a new race number at the help desk on the day or number collection session ahead of race day (if applicable). Please note there is a €20 replacement number fee.

Why haven't I got my race number when others have?

Race numbers are dispatched two weeks prior to the event. Please allow a few days from this date, for yours to arrive. If you have not received it by the middle of race week, please reach out to support@bearraces.ie. You may have supplied an incomplete or incorrect address. We will be able to check and assist you accordingly.

I'm visiting from abroad, how do i get my number?

Your number will be held for you to collect at one of the number collection sessions if you registered before the postal cut off and supplied an overseas address. Please come to the ‘Internationals’ collection point. If you registered after the postal cut-off date, you should collect from the main collection point.

Is there a medal and T-shirt?

Yes – every finisher receives an event T-shirt and medal.

I ordered a t-shirt, when will I get it?

If you ordered a Bear Races Running Top as an additional purchase, this is sent out separately approximately two weeks after ordering. If you have not received your within this time frame, please contact support@bearraces.ie.

If i don't make it to the event, will my medal be posted out to me?

No – to receive a finishers medal you must attend and collect in person. We are not able to post anything out after the event.

What are the age restrictions?

We follow Athletic Ireland’s legislation, minimum age for a 3/4 Marathon distance is 18yrs.

When is the Race Brief sent out?

The race brief is sent out one week before the event and then again the day before the event. If you haven’t received the email make sure and check your spam.

What time should I arrive at the event?

You should arrive well in advance of the start of the race, especially if you need to collect your race number. Give yourself time to prepare for the race, have a stretch and orient yourself with the start area. If you have your race number already, just arrive with it already pinned to you and you are all set and ready to run!

Will there be pacers?

Events of Half marathon distance and above will have pacers. Pacers are typcically for the following times: Half Marathon: 1:30hrs, 1:40hrs, 1:50hrs, 2:00hrs and 2:10hrs.

Is there a time limit?

Yes — there is a cut-off time of 4 hours 30 minutes.

Can I walk the race? 

We welcome all abilities and we encourage everyone to take the event at their own pace. Please just be aware that there is a strict cut-off time of 4 hours and 30 minutes, so you’ll need to keep a pace that sees you finish within that window.

Is the course wheelchair accessible?

Yes

Is there somewhere to leave my bag? 

Yes, a secure bag drop is located beside the start area and opens at 8:00am. One small bag per participant only.

Unbagged items like keys or phones cannot be accepted.

You will need your race number to retrieve your bag after the race, so ensure your race number is securely pinned to you. If no race number is presented, you will have to wait until all other bags have been reclaimed, to collect your bag! Bag drop will be supervised; however, management cannot accept any responsibility for lost or stolen items.

Is there parking? 

Yes there is official event parking with two parking locations available, one beside the start area and one beside the finish area.

Are there toilets on the route?

Yes — toilets are available at the start/finish area and along the route at approx:

  • 5km
  • 10.5km
  • 15km
  • 21.5km
  • 26.5km
Where are the water stations?

There are water stations at:

  • 5km
  • 10.5km
  • 15km:
  • 21.5km
  • 26.5km
Are water stations bottles or cups?

Cups of water are provided at each water station.

Are there showers or changing facilities?

No, showers and changing facilities are not provided.

Can I wear headphones?

Yes, headphones are permitted. However, participants are responsible for remaining aware of marshals, Gardaí, pedestrians, and other runners at all times. Please keep the volume low enough to hear instructions.

Can my kids run the last part with me?

No, unfortunately due to Health and safety, and insurance issues, we request you do not complete the event with your child.

When/Where do I get my results? 

Results can be found on our website under the results section after the event. Timing services supplied by www.myrunresults.com

Are prizes awarded for placing in the event?

No, there are no prizes awarded for placing in the event.

When/Where can I get event photos?

Event photos are available within 48 hours after the event and are provided by our offical photography partner myrunphotos.ie

You will revieve an email before and after the event with a link to the event Gallery.

Still Have Questions?

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