Dingle Marathon
The Lowdown
The Dingle Marathon is an annual road race on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. Runners choose between the Full Marathon (42.2 km) and Half Marathon (21.1 km), both starting together at 9:00 am from Dingle Marina. The event has run since at least 2009 and has grown into one of the country's most scenic road races, selling out well ahead of race day -- the 2026 edition (Saturday, September 5, 2026) sold out, with online sales closing August 29, 2026, and organisers now running a waiting list through EventMaster for both distances. Both races head out from Dingle Town toward Ventry and Slea Head, the only day of the year that Slea Head's narrow coast road is closed to traffic. The route passes Ventry's blue-flag beach, the ancient promontory fort at Dunbeg, and a ford at Fahan that is diverted for the day so runners stay dry, before reaching Slea Head's stone crucifix and its views across to the Blasket Islands. The Half Marathon turns north to finish near Dunquin at Kruger's Pub, said to be Ireland's westernmost pub; the Full Marathon continues on through Ballyferriter before a demanding climb around mile 22 and a long descent back into Dingle Town for the finish. Entry fees for the sold-out 2026 edition were EUR 74 for the Half Marathon and EUR 84 for the Full Marathon, plus a 7% booking fee, with all finishers receiving a commemorative top. Entries are strictly non-refundable, non-transferable, and cannot be swapped between distances once booked.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Large field
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Good crowd energy
Dingle Marina -- start and finish for both distances, in Dingle Town.
Ventry -- blue-flag beach village on the route out toward Slea Head.
Dunbeg Fort -- ancient coastal promontory fort passed along the cliffside road.
Fahan ford -- a road ford that is diverted for race day so runners cross dry.
Slea Head -- stone crucifix and cliff-top viewpoint over the Blasket Islands; the only day of the year the road is closed to traffic.
Dunquin / Kruger's Pub -- Half Marathon finish area, reputed to be Ireland's westernmost pub.
Ballyferriter -- village on the Full Marathon's inland loop before the return to Dingle.
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Dingle, County Kerry, Ireland
IE
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 18 on race day for both the Full and Half Marathon (official FAQ).
Required Documents
- Photo ID for race-pack collection is standard practice at Irish road races of this size; not separately itemized on the official FAQ (estimate).
Entry Methods
- Online registration via EventMaster (sold out for 2026)
- Waiting list via EventMaster
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Entry fees are strictly non-refundable and non-transferable at any stage; no deferrals, name changes, or transfers are permitted (official FAQ).
Runners cannot switch between the Full and Half Marathon; dropping from Full to Half on race day results in disqualification with no time, medal, or finisher top (official FAQ).
Results are on record back to at least 2009, making this a long-running fixture on the Irish road-racing calendar.
Half Marathon cutoff is 3 hours 30 minutes (gun time); Full Marathon cutoff is 6 hours (gun time) -- official FAQ.
Irish-based entrants receive their race pack by post; overseas and 'collection' entrants pick up at Dingle Marina on the Friday (1pm-10pm) or Saturday (7am-8am) before the race.
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