Malin to Mizen


Malin to Mizen is the traversal of the entire length of the island of Ireland between its two extreme points: Mizen Head in County Cork and Malin Head in County Donegal.
The route is attempted by cyclists, runners, walkers, and motorists, and is sometimes undertaken to raise money for charity or as a personal endurance goal.
As the crow flies, the two points are about apart. The shortest practical road route measures roughly, while most modern traverses cover between depending on the chosen course.

Cycling

As of 2023, the record for cycling from Mizen Head to Malin Head was 15 hours 30 minutes 36 seconds, set by Ronan McLaughlin on 11 June 2023.
The women's national record for the same route, also set in 2023, is 21 hours 43 minutes 03 seconds by Karen Cassidy.
Other records include the first non-stop double crossing Joe Barr's records in June 2015. Barr later bettered the non-stop double crossing in 2020, finishing in 44 h 15 m.

Cycling records

;Fastest verified single crossings
RankDateDirectionNameClub/teamTimeVerificationNotesSource
111 June 2023Mizen→MalinRonan McLaughlinFoyle CC15 h 30 m 36 sCycling Ireland Current Irish record.
213 September 2020Mizen→MalinDonncha CuttrissOver the Hill CC17 h 36 m 45 sEirball archive of CI recordsPre-2023 national best.
36 March 2020Malin→MizenJason Black22 h 59 mWUCA World UltraCycling Association Ireland N→S record.
419 June 2015Malin→MizenJoe BarrTeam Joe Barr23 h 20 mIndependent timingPart of 2015 record suite.
521 June 2015Mizen→MalinJoe BarrTeam Joe Barr25 h 40 mIndependent timingReturn leg of 2015 double.

;Women
RankDateDirectionNameClub/teamTimeVerificationNotesSource
125 September 2023Mizen→MalinKaren Cassidy21 h 43 m 03 sCycling Ireland Current Irish record.
231 July 2022Mizen→MalinPatricia McGinley30 h 38 mWUCA / GuinnessStandard-bike female record.

Running

Early modern record progressions on foot include Richard Donovan's 2008 Mizen→Malin run. Jennifer Salter subsequently ran Malin→Mizen in 4 days 23 hours 03 minutes 10 seconds. Sharon Gayter improved the mark in March 2012. Later in 2012, Mimi Anderson lowered it again to 3 days 15 hours 36 minutes 23 seconds.
In May 2017, Irish international ultra-runner Eoin Keith ran Mizen→Malin in 3 days 3 hours 47 minutes. The current men’s supported FKT is held by Ed McGroarty at 3 days 1 hour 55 minutes 15 seconds. On 31 May 2024, Sophie Power set the Guinness World Record for the fastest female crossing on foot in 3 days 12 hours 08 minutes.

Running records

;Men
RankDateDirectionNameClubTimeVerificationNotesSource
15 July 2021Mizen→MalinEd McGroartyLifford–Strabane AC3 d 1 h 55 m 15 sFKT Current men’s supported FKT.
22 May 2017Mizen→MalinEoin KeithSportsworld RC3 d 3 h 47 mAthletics Ireland / media reportsFormer overall best.
3April 1988Mizen→MalinRichard Brown4 d 12 hLDWA / Ultrarunning World archiveEarliest documented modern record.
429 June 2008Mizen→MalinRichard DonovanGalway City Harriers5 d 13 h 23 mRTÉ NewsModern-era Ireland end-to-end run.

;Women
RankDateDirectionNameClubTimeVerificationNotesSource
131 May 2024Malin→MizenSophie Power3 d 12 h 08 mGuinness World RecordsCurrent women’s record.
225 September 2012Malin→MizenMimi Anderson3 d 15 h 36 m 23 sGuinness / FKTFormer world record.
329 March 2012Mizen→MalinSharon GayterNew Marske Harriers4 d 1 h 39 m 55 sUniversity PR / mediaFormer women’s record.
410 June 2011Malin→MizenJennifer SalterLes Croupiers RC4 d 23 h 03 m 10 sClub / media reportsWomen’s record at the time.

Walking

End-to-end crossings are also undertaken on foot as walking challenges, often for charity. Notable long-distance walkers include John Dowling, credited with completing the route in 5 days 22 hours 30 minutes in March 1982. The route is also a popular multi-week backpacking itinerary, commonly reported in 3–4 weeks depending on route and support.

Other uses of the phrase

Variants of the phrase "Malin to Mizen" is sometimes used to represent the whole geographical extent of Ireland: "a Malin Head to Mizen Head approach".