It’s getting dark earlier, there’s a nip in the air and the kids have gone back to school.
Summer may be behind us but there is still a host of races happening this autumn and winter that will give you the motivation to keep your training up.
What: Grant Thornton Corporate 5k Team Challenge
Where: City Quay, Dublin 2
When: Tuesday, September 10th, 7.30pm
How much: €100 (per team of four)
Now in its second year, this event is a collaboration between Grant Thornton and Athletics Ireland and is designed to encourage social running among business people. With a nice flat course, predominantly around the Liffey Quays, it's the ideal event to press-gang some of your colleagues into joining your team of four.
What: Dublin Half Marathon
Where: Phoenix Park, Dublin 7
When: Saturday, September 21st, 10am
How much: €25
The last in the race series to warm up for the Airtricity Dublin Marathon on the October Bank Holiday weekend, the half-marathon can be a useful target on its own for those who don't feel their heart or body is up to the full 42km.
It's a well-worn cliche that the Phoenix Park is the largest enclosed city park in Europe but runners really are spoiled to have it as a venue, and the half-marathon shows it off at its best.
What: Moone Kilomarathon & 10k Where: Moone, Co Kildare
When: Saturday, September 28th
How much: €30
Done a half-marathon but not ready for the full shebang? Maybe a 26.2km kilomarathon (see what they've done there?) is what you need.
Taking place in the south Kildare village of Moone, the race, now in its fourth year, is in aid of Barretstown House, Our Lady's Children's Hospital and Rehab.
What: Eco 2 Run Festival
Where: Dublin Docklands
When: Sunday, September 29th, 9am
How much: €24-€34
At this time of year many races claim to be ideal Dublin City Marathon preparation but Eco 2 Run has the pedigree to back it up – Maria McCambridge, last year's winner of the 20-mile race, was the first Irish women home in the marathon.
For those not clocking up the miles, Eco 2 Run’s five-mile course on closed roads through the Dublin docklands means it can be run as a five or 10-mile race as well.
What: Killarney Adventure Race
Where: Killarney, Co Kerry
When: Saturday, October 5th, 7-10am How much: €75-€85
MacGillycuddy's Reeks, Kate Kearney's Cottage, The Gap of Dunloe, Muckross Lake and Torc Waterfall are some of the world-famous beauty spots you will encounter on this gruelling adventure race, which comes in 69, 59 and 27km flavours.
If suffering surrounded by Kerry's rugged countryside is your idea of fun, enter sooner rather than later: this event has sold out in recent years.
What: The Human Race
Where: University of Limerick
When: Sunday, October 6th, 10am
How much: €35
Although only in its inaugrual year, this cleverly named race looks like a worthy addition to the autumn calendar. Taking place over a 10km loop, which the organisers promise "showcase the college's sprawling campus" but " is relatively flat throughout", there are 30km, half-marathon and 10km races on offer with the longer distances promising pacers and free Lucozade on the route.
What: Glendalough Trail Run
Where: Laragh, Co Wicklow
When: Saturday, November 9th
How much: €20 plus €50 charity fundraiser
The ideal encouragement to get out on the hills before the winter really sets in, this 15km race, mostly on well-graded trails, is also a fundraiser for Fighting Blindness. If the weather is right, this is a spectacular way to end your competitive running season.
