The Monte Challenge

06/04/2026

Whatever the weather - we hope you’ve had a lovely Easter weekend 😀

Entries are open for Monte and there is plenty of time to get those hilly km’s in the training plan ⛰️

17/03/2026

Wishing you all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Mountcharles ☘️
Some of the Monte Challenge crew spotted in the parade 😀
Great turn out all round and a bit of drizzle didn’t dampen any spirits 🎉

05/03/2026

This week we met up with Laura and Jason from Mountcharles to give a donation to ‘Take The Leap for Rare Ireland’ which is a charity abseil in Croke Park on 8th March and raising vital funds for Rare Ireland which supports families and children with rare diseases.

This is a cause close to the Monte Challenge and local community as Laura & Robbie will be taking part in the charity abseil on behalf of their 10 year old son, Jason who is only one of six people in the world with spastic paraplegia 26 disease.

Laura helped us out volunteering at the Monte Challenge last year and the family live on the Monte route, so please do check out the idonate link below and be sure to give Jason a wave when you are are passing by on the Monte this summer.

All the team at the Monte Challenge wish Laura, Robbie & the family all the very best for the big leap on Sunday.

https://www.idonate.ie/laurabrady3

13/02/2026

Go team or go solo! You can choose either for the Full & Half Monte and which ever you choose you’ll be sure to have a crew of amazing volunteer marshals all around the route! 🙌

Full Monte team: is made up of 3 people covering each of the three disciplines (road run, cycling, mountain jog/hike). 1 person runs the Leg 1 5.2k and the last Leg 5 5k beach/road run. 1 person cycles the Leg 2 cycle to Carnaween and Leg 4 cycle back to Mountcharles. 1 person jogs/hikes Leg 3 Carnaween. ✅

Half Monte team: is made up of 2 people covering each of the two disciplines (road run & road cycle). 1 person runs the Leg 1 5.2k and the last Leg 3 500m sprint finish. 1 person cycles the Leg 2 23k cycle route. ✅

06/02/2026

Come explore Donegal!

Take on the Full Monte with a 5.2k run | 19.5k cycle | 6k mountain run | 21k cycle | 5k run. Expect - hills, bog & mud, sand and plenty of cheering 😀 A real challenge in the elements!

Or the Half Monte with a 5.2k run | 23k cycle | 500m run. Lots of hills in this route too to put you through your paces. 🏃

Or try the Sprint Monte for a fast blast of a 5k race & world class sea views. 🌊

Or be part of the day and walk or jog the Little Monte 5k by yourself or with littles ones too! 🙌

The Monte Challenge - pick a route, enter now and see you on 29th August 2026.

16/01/2026

2026 Monte Challenge Entries are Open!

Check out the link below for entries across the 4 route options; The Full, Half, Sprint and Little Monte and see the Monte website for route information and details.

See you on 29th August 2026!

26/12/2025

Looks like there will be sunshine for today’s annual 5k ☀️
Register at the Clubhouse, Mountcharles from 11am 🕚
Best of luck all and enjoy! 😊
Naomh Naille GAA & LGFA

24/12/2025

Festive Greetings from Carnaween at sunset today! ☀️

The Monte Committee would like to wish you all a very Happy Christmas and New Year 🎄

A big shout out and thank you to all the race goers, local sponsors, marshals and volunteers who make Monte possible. 🙏

We are looking forward to Saturday 29th August 2026! Watch this space, Monte Challenge entries open in the New Year. We are delighted that we will also be part of Adventure Racing Ireland’s 2026 National Series, Expert Category. Game on! 😀

16/12/2025

We can’t wait for the next Monte Challenge!

🗓️ Be sure to please save the date: Saturday 29th August 2026.
⏱️ Online entries: will be opening in the New Year.
📌 Location: Mountcharles, Co. Donegal.
⛰️ 2026 will include 4 x route options: The Full Monte run/hike/cycle, The Half Monte run/cycle, The Sprint Monte 5k run, The Little Monte 5k jog/walk.

16/10/2025

The Monte Challenge 2025 raised €19,500 for local organisations!

The committee would like to say a huge thank you to the whole community of local sponsors, volunteers & race goers for the support and generosity in making it possible to present €6,500 to St. Peter’s National School Naomh Naille GAA & LGFA Bluestack Special Needs Foundation A real team effort!

Thank you to the title sponsor Magee 1866 , supporting sponsors Source Civil McMonagle Stone Connect It and to the over 40 local business sponsors, councillors and Donegal County Council.

And get ready for the next Monte Challenge *Saturday 29th August 2026* ! Entries will be opening soon!

29/09/2025

Entries Close Tonight – North West Coastal Challenge
Best of luck to the organising committee, marshals, and supporters who make this event possible. Wishing all competitors an enjoyable and memorable race along this stunning course!

⚠️⚠️⚠️ 24 hours until entries close ⚠️⚠️⚠️

▶️ Monday 29th September at 9pm ◀️

- so be sure to get registered through the link below now!!

✴️ No late entries will be accepted ✴️

📆 Saturday 4th October 2025

🕐 Start Line 9.30am

📍 St. Michaels, The Bridge, Dunfanaghy

Interested in going individual or in a 2 person team - see all links below for full details.

🔗 Entries now open
https://coreregistered.com/index.php/events/sports/ireland/northwestcoastalchallenge-25

🔗 More info on www.nwcc.ie

Do you think you can rise to The Challenge?

10/09/2025

Finish photos; 12:30-1:30pm

Thank you Christina!

Shared with Dropbox