Irish Life Dublin Marathon
The Lowdown
The Irish Life Dublin Marathon is Ireland’s premier road race, first held in 1980 and grown into a major international event that each October draws elite athletes, club runners and charity fundraisers from around the world. Over its decades-long history the race has become a showcase for Irish running culture, combining serious competition with a friendly, festival atmosphere. The event is AIMS-certified and serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier, making it popular with athletes chasing fast times and qualifying standards. The mostly flat, city-centre course highlights some of Dublin’s best sights and varied scenery. Runners pass through the leafy expanse of Phoenix Park, sweep along the Grand Canal, and enjoy coastal stretches and sea breezes around Sandymount and the Dublin Bay waterfront. The route also threads through historic neighborhoods and past landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Green and the Georgian streets near Merrion Square, offering a scenic and engaging urban tour over 42.2 km. On race day the atmosphere is electric and welcoming: live bands, local supporters, and neighborhood cheer zones line the course, while post-race celebrations and hospitality at the finish create a strong sense of community. Whether aiming for a personal best, a Boston qualifying time, or simply to experience the camaraderie of one of Europe’s most established fall marathons, participants will find a well-organized event with great crowd support and classic Dublin charm.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Major marathon
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Dublin Marathon contributes €63m to local economy, report finds
Apr 25, 2025A Brand Finance/TCS report found the 2024 Irish Life Dublin Marathon generated €63 million ($71m) for the local economy, ranking the race 19th among the world’s top 50 marathons; the 2024 event drew about 18,100 finishers (22,500 paid entries).
Organisers announce ballot-only general entry for 2026 and onwards
Oct 9, 2025Irish Life Dublin Marathon organisers confirmed all general entries from 2026 will be allocated by ballot (ending the 48-hour priority window) to increase first-time and female participation; Good-for-Age, elite and charity places are retained and the 2026 ballot was scheduled for 12–17 November with a €5 application fee.
Boston Qualifier
This race is a certified Boston Marathon qualifying event. Achieve your qualifying standard here on a verified course.
Fitzwilliam Square
Historic Georgian square near the race start.
Trinity College Dublin
Home to the famous Book of Kells.
Christ Church Cathedral
One of Dublin’s oldest medieval cathedrals.
Guinness Storehouse
Iconic brewery with rich history.
Phoenix Park
One of Europe's largest city parks.
Áras an Uachtaráin
Official residence of the President of Ireland.
Wellington Monument
Tall obelisk in Phoenix Park.
Kilmainham Gaol
Historic prison tied to Irish independence.
UCD Campus
University College Dublin's leafy surroundings.
St. Stephen’s Green
Beautiful central park near the finish line.
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Dublin, Ireland
IE
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Age of 18
Required Documents
- Photo ID
Entry Methods
- Online Registration
- Ballot (Public Lottery)
- Charity Entry
- Tour Operator
- Club Entry
- International/Group Entry
- Virtual Entry
Cancellation & Refund Policy
No refunds availableRefund Window: Participants can request a refund between July 3rd at 9:00 AM and July 16th at 11:59 PM. Refunds are only available during this period.
Refund Process: To initiate a refund, log into your Eventmaster account and select the 'Refund' option. A confirmation email will be sent upon completion.
Refund Fee: A €20 administration fee applies to all refunds.
Post-Refund Status: Once a refund is processed, the entrant is no longer considered a participant in the marathon.
Half Marathon and Race Series: No refund options are available for the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon or any of the Race Series events.
Transfer Window: Participants can transfer their entry to another individual from July 24th at 9:00 AM to August 24th at 11:59 PM.
Transfer Process: Managed via Eventmaster, the person receiving the entry will be charged a €20 fee for the marathon transfer.
Restrictions: Entries can only be transferred once. Attempting to sell or swap race numbers outside the official transfer process will result in cancellation of the entry.
General Deferral: Entries cannot be deferred to the following year.
Pregnancy/Postpartum Deferral: Participants unable to compete due to pregnancy or postpartum reasons can defer their entry to one of the following three years. A deferral request must be submitted at least 14 days before race day to office@dublinmarathon.ie.
Due to its popularity (22,000+ runners), Dublin Marathon moved to a lottery system in recent years. For 2025, the lottery opened in late 2024; selected entrants were then invited to register (entry fee ~€110).
While regular entries are no longer available, charity entries may offer good value since they include both race registration and two nights hotel accommodation. Charity entry prices vary per charity.
One quirk: in 2025 the race is on a Sunday (Oct 26) rather than the traditional Monday, aligning with other majors’ practice.
Course tips: The roads can narrow in spots (especially entering/exiting Phoenix Park and some older streets), so the first few miles can be crowded – don’t burn energy zigzagging; it will thin out.
Fun factor: The race is on Halloween weekend – don’t be surprised to see some runners in light costumes or accessories (nothing like Médoc, but a few witches hats or such for fun). Post-race, Dublin’s pubs will be full of medal-wearing finishers – the celebratory atmosphere continues well into the evening.
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.