__NOTOC__ 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.

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 (Foyle CC) on 11 June 2023. The women's national record for the same route (Mizen→Malin), also set in 2023, is 21 hours 43 minutes 03 seconds by Karen Cassidy (25 September 2023).

Other records include the first non-stop double crossing (Malin→Mizen→Malin) Joe Barr's 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.

Cycling records Fastest verified single crossings (selected) Rank Date Direction Name Club/team Time Verification Notes Source(s) 1 11 June 2023 Mizen→Malin Ronan McLaughlin Foyle CC 15 h 30 m 36 s Cycling Ireland (NR) Current Irish record. 2 13 September 2020 Mizen→Malin Donncha Cuttriss Over the Hill CC 17 h 36 m 45 s Eirball archive of CI records Pre-2023 national best. 3 6 March 2020 Malin→Mizen Jason Black — 22 h 59 m WUCA (record ratified) World UltraCycling Association Ireland N→S record. 4 19 June 2015 Malin→Mizen Joe Barr Team Joe Barr 23 h 20 m Independent timing Part of 2015 record suite. 5 21 June 2015 Mizen→Malin Joe Barr Team Joe Barr 25 h 40 m Independent timing Return leg of 2015 double.

Women Rank Date Direction Name Club/team Time Verification Notes Source(s) 1 25 September 2023 Mizen→Malin Karen Cassidy — 21 h 43 m 03 s Cycling Ireland (NR) Current Irish record. 2 31 July 2022 Mizen→Malin Patricia McGinley — 30 h 38 m WUCA / Guinness Standard-bike female record.

Running Early modern record progressions on foot include Richard Donovan's 2008 Mizen→Malin run (5 days 13 hours 23 minutes). Jennifer Salter subsequently ran Malin→Mizen in 4 days 23 hours 03 minutes 10 seconds (finishing 10 June 2011). Sharon Gayter improved the mark in March 2012 (4 days 1 hour 39 minutes 55 seconds, Mizen→Malin). Later in 2012, Mimi Anderson lowered it again to 3 days 15 hours 36 minutes 23 seconds (Malin→Mizen).

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 (5 July 2021, Mizen→Malin). 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.

Running records Men (verified bests) Rank Date Direction Name Club Time Verification Notes Source(s) 1 5 July 2021 Mizen→Malin Ed McGroarty Lifford–Strabane AC 3 d 1 h 55 m 15 s FKT (supported) Current men’s supported FKT. 2 2 May 2017 Mizen→Malin Eoin Keith Sportsworld RC 3 d 3 h 47 m Athletics Ireland / media reports Former overall best. 3 April 1988 Mizen→Malin Richard Brown — 4 d 12 h LDWA / Ultrarunning World archive Earliest documented modern record. 4 29 June 2008 Mizen→Malin Richard Donovan Galway City Harriers 5 d 13 h 23 m RTÉ News Modern-era Ireland end-to-end run.

Women (verified bests) Rank Date Direction Name Club Time Verification Notes Source(s) 1 31 May 2024 Malin→Mizen Sophie Power — 3 d 12 h 08 m Guinness World Records Current women’s record. 2 25 September 2012 Malin→Mizen Mimi Anderson — 3 d 15 h 36 m 23 s Guinness / FKT Former world record. 3 29 March 2012 Mizen→Malin Sharon Gayter New Marske Harriers 4 d 1 h 39 m 55 s University PR / media Former women’s record. 4 10 June 2011 Malin→Mizen Jennifer (Jen) Salter Les Croupiers RC 4 d 23 h 03 m 10 s Club / media reports Women’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 (race-walker), credited with completing the route in 5 days 22 hours 30 minutes in March 1982 (Mizen→Malin). 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".

See also Land's End to John o' Groats Du battant des lames au sommet des montagnes Wild Atlantic Way

References