This is an out-and-back course, along the Grand Canal tow path. This tow path has a grass surface, for the full distance. The start / finish is 300m north from Vicarstown Bridge, in the Monasterevan direction. There is a barrier across the tow path (restricting vehicular traffic) and the start / finish is 100m along the path from this barrier. From the start the course follows the tow path, and has one long straight section of almost 2km. The course crosses the Killimey river aqueduct, where the path narrows to about 8 feet, for about 20m. The course turns back, at a route marker, about 500m after the aqueduct.