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The Dublin Marathon – Ireland’s Premier Race Event

9 March 2026
theparkrunner

The Dublin Marathon – Ireland’s Premier Race Event

The Dublin Marathon is Ireland’s biggest running event. It takes in some of the most historic parts of the Irish capital, and provides a test for seasoned marathon runners and beginners alike.

The Dublin Marathon 2026 will take place on Sunday, October 25, in Dublin, Ireland.

How to Enter

Entry to the Dublin Marathon can be secured by first entering the general ballot at the Irish Life Dublin Marathon website. You will pay a €5 administration fee, with the remaining €105 of the full fee payable if you are successful.

This is a full 42.195km marathon, and the minimum age of entry is 18 years old. You can find out more and register your interest at https://irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/.

To join the official RUNNA Race Page for the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon, try (here).

Irih Life Dublin Half Marathon route

The Course

The Dublin Marathon is a mixed-terrain course, with flatter and downhill portions offering respite, while there are also some testing hill climbs for experienced runners.

It will begin on the iconic Leeson Street, before passing by Stephen’s Green into the city’s southside suburbs of Christchurch and The Liberties. Runners will then cross the Liffey at O’Donovan Rossa Bridge.

The city’s northside is next, passing through Stoneybatter and Phibsborough, the home of Bohemian FC, one of the favourites in the betting for the League of Ireland Premier Division at 8.00. From there, the race enters the Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest walled city park.

That occurs at the 6Km mark, and it will be some time before runners leave the park again, before crossing over into Kilmainham, past the world-famous Kilmainham Gaol and into the suburbs of Dublin.

The next major landmark is the incline known as the Irish Heartbreak Hill, which runners encounter at 35km. This then turns into a gentle downhill stretch that passes the RTE studios and the Royal Dublin Society, before ending at the iconic Pepper Canister Church.

GPX Download Link: https://www.finishers.com/en/event/dublin-marathon

Start Times and Wave Structure

The Dublin Marathon will start at 8:40 am, with the first wave being the wheelchair cohort. Wave 1 will follow at 8:45, before Wave 2 sets off at 9:05, Wave 3 sets off at 9:25, and Wave 4 sets off at 9:45.

The Expo and Bib Collection

The expo for the 2026 Dublin Marathon will be at the Royal Dublin Society on the city’s southside at Merrion Road. It will be open on the following days and times:

  • Friday, October 24: 12:00 – 19:00
  • Saturday, October 25: 09:00 – 18:00

Race Day Transport

An Garda Siochana (the Irish police force) and Dublin City Council (DCC) will operate a number of rolling road closures, depending on the stage of the marathon and the wave underway. Check the Gardai and DCC websites and social media for up-to-date information.

The city’s tramlines will run mostly as usual, but customers are recommended to check Luas, i.e., for updates on both Green and Red Line services throughout the day. The Leeson Street start is easily accessible from Green Line stations Stephen’s Green, Harcourt, and Charlemont.

Dublin Bus services will be affected by the course route, so the Transport for Ireland (TFI) website and app will be required for up-to-date information on route amendments.

Parking will be available along the route, and discounts will be available at Q Parking complexes. Runners are recommended to use the Luas Park and Ride service, available at several stations, including Broombridge, Sandyford, and Carrickmines.

Spectator Guide

Aside from the start and finish line, there will be great excitement. The Dublin Marathon offers a number of great options to observe the action.

Milltown in Ranelagh offers a birdseye view over the course at the Nine Arches Bridge Viaduct, with access to the Green Line from the Milltown and Windy Arbour stations, allowing speedy travel into the city for further viewing.

The Phoenix Park offers a great chance for large crowds to cheer on participants, with the 700-hectare park allowing plenty of space for spectators to find their spots, set against the backdrop of the residence of the Irish president and the Dublin Zoo.

Where to Stay

Dublin is a city known for its great tourist accommodation, so there are plenty of options, no matter your budget:

  • The Merrion Hotel: Close to the finishing line
  • The Hilton Charlemont: Close to the start, and with easy access to the city
  • The Dean Harcourt: Close to both start and finishing points, within walking distance of city centre attractions

Around the City

There is plenty to do, drink, eat, and enjoy when the race is over, with a few highlights even along the route itself:

  • Dublin Zoo in Phoenix Park
  • Michelin-Starred food at Chapter One
  • Kilmainham Gaol tours
  • EPIC: Irish Immigration Museum

Watching From Afar

The race will be streamed live at the Irish Life Dublin Marathon official website, and you will be able to keep up to date with live results at https://track.rtrt.me/e/TDL-DUBLINM-2026#/dashboard.

Race Results

You can find all of the results of previous Dublin Marathons right here. Below is a table of the first three finishers from 2023 to 2025:

Year Name Time
2025 Ger Copeland 02:58:23
2024 Moses Kemei 02:08:47
2023 Kemal Husen 02:06:52

 

Race Day Tips

For the Dublin Marathon, there are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Preserve some energy for Heartbreak Hill by starting with a more conservative pace, allowing for an explosive burst when needed.
  • Stay warm before and after – this is Ireland in October, so proper insulation will go a long way.
  • Expect rain and make sure you adjust your form and gear accordingly.

Sources:

https://irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/

https://www.finishers.com/en/event/dublin-marathon

 

Last Updated on 9 March 2026 by the5krunner