Malin to Mizen (or Mizen to Malin) is the traversal of the entire length of the island of Ireland between its two extreme points: Mizen Head in County Cork (the island's most southerly point) and Malin Head in County Donegal (the most northerly).
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.[1]
As the crow flies, the two points are about 466km (290mi) apart. The shortest practical road route measures roughly 569km (354mi), while most modern traverses cover between 600 and 640km (370 and 400mi) depending on the chosen course.[2][3]
Although mostly associated with cycling and multi-day charity walks, the route has also become a fixture in ultra-running. Attempts may be validated either by official timing bodies such as Cycling Ireland, the World UltraCycling Association (WUCA) and Guinness World Records, or through the community-maintained Fastest Known Time (FKT) database for unsupported or supported ultra-running performances.[4]
Cycling
The current[when?] record for cycling from Mizen Head to Malin Head is 15 hours 30 minutes 36 seconds, set by Ronan McLaughlin (Foyle CC) on 11 June 2023.[5][6][7] The women’s national record for the same route (Mizen→Malin) is 21 hours 43 minutes 03 seconds by Karen Cassidy (25 September 2023).[8][9]
Notable[according to whom?] ultra-distance achievements include the first non-stop double crossing (Malin→Mizen→Malin) by Ricky Geoghegan in 2012 (55 h 37 m), and Joe Barr’s suite of records in June 2015 (North→South 23 h 20 m; South→North 25 h 40 m; double in 49 h). Barr later bettered the non-stop double crossing in 2020, finishing in 44 h 15 m.[10][11]
Cycling records
Fastest verified single crossings (selected)[specify]
Early modern record progressions on foot include Richard Donovan's 2008 Mizen→Malin run (5 days 13 hours 23 minutes).[20] Jennifer Salter subsequently ran Malin→Mizen in 4 days 23 hours 03 minutes 10 seconds (finishing 10 June 2011).[21] Sharon Gayter improved the mark in March 2012 (4 days 1 hour 39 minutes 55 seconds, Mizen→Malin).[22] Later in 2012, Mimi Anderson lowered it again to 3 days 15 hours 36 minutes 23 seconds (Malin→Mizen).[23]
In May 2017, Irish international ultra-runner Eoin Keith ran Mizen→Malin in 3 days 3 hours 47 minutes.[24] The current men’s supported FKT is held by Ed McGroarty at 3 days 1 hour 55 minutes 15 seconds (5 July 2021, Mizen→Malin).[25] On 31 May 2024, Sophie Power set the Guinness World Record for the fastest female crossing on foot (Malin→Mizen) in 3 days 12 hours 08 minutes.[26]
End-to-end crossings are also undertaken on foot as walking challenges, often for charity. Notable[according to whom?] long-distance walkers include John Dowling (race-walker), credited with completing the route in 5 days 22 hours 30 minutes in March 1982 (Mizen→Malin).[35] The route is also a popular[according to whom?] multi-week backpacking itinerary, commonly reported in 3–4 weeks depending on route and support.[36][37]
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".[38]
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