A forest marathon with its own start and seven-hour limit
The official race information separates the four distances clearly: do not use the 8:00 a.m. 50K start when arranging your marathon morning. Match your bib, start and cutoff to the 42K entry, and recheck the final instructions for collection and arrival arrangements before travelling.
Forest running does not guarantee a uniform surface. The organizer specifically warns that road quality is outside its control. Use footwear already tested on comparable paths, leave room to adjust your line around uneven sections, and let footing affect pace instead of forcing a road split regardless of conditions.
The seven-hour marathon limit is an elapsed-time constraint. Budget for aid stops and any walking you plan to use; a moving-pace calculation alone is incomplete. Rehearse a sustainable run/walk pattern if appropriate to your existing training rather than discovering it after fatigue has already accumulated.
Outside accompaniment by someone not entered in the same event is prohibited. Arrange supporters at permitted locations instead of planning a friend to pace the final kilometres. Spectators must keep clear of the course, and overnight camping is not allowed. The organizer discourages headphones because runners need to hear marshals and other participants; keep awareness and safe passing part of your plan.
With four distances on the programme, be precise when sharing plans with supporters. Tell them that you are in the 42K event, give the 9:15 start, and use an agreed finish meeting place. Check the current course map for repeated sections or passing rules instead of assuming all runners around you are on the same lap or distance.
Confirmed race date
Portumna Forest Marathon: June 12, 2027. Verified on October 14, 2026 against the official event information.
Current race profile
The organizer remains authoritative if the course, distance program, venue, registration or schedule changes. Historical conditions are not a forecast; use current organizer advisories and the race-week forecast.
Training calendar anchors
These dates are calendar arithmetic, not proof that a plan length is appropriate.