Ireland
Dublin Marathon 2026
Sunday 25 October 2026 · confirmed date
2 days to go
Key facts
- Race day
- Sunday 25 October 2026
- Confirmed by the organisers
- Start
- 08:45
- local time
- Course
- Mostly flat · Loop
- Leeson Street, by St Stephen's Green (city centre) to Merrion Square, by the Pepper Canister Church
- Course record, men
- 2:06:52
- Kemal Husen, 2023
- Course record, women
- 2:24:13
- Asmarech Nega, 2024
- Time limit
- 7h00
- First held
- 1980
The race
About the Dublin Marathon
The Dublin Marathon has been run through the streets of Ireland's capital since 1980, and the 2026 race is its 45th edition. Held on the last Sunday of October, it has grown into one of Europe's larger autumn marathons, with more than 20,000 runners on the start line in recent years and places now decided by ballot.
The race is known for its crowds: residential stretches from Crumlin to Terenure and Milltown turn out in numbers, and the finish by Merrion Square is loud. The course is mostly flat with a few honest climbs, so it suits first-timers and runners chasing a personal best alike, as long as they keep something back for the last 10 km.
Course
The Dublin Marathon course
The race starts on Leeson Street with a downhill run past St Stephen's Green, then heads west through the Liberties by St Patrick's Cathedral. Around 3 km comes the first climb toward Christchurch, before the course drops to the River Liffey and crosses to the northside. From about 6 km you are in Phoenix Park, running Chesterfield Avenue past Dublin Zoo.
Halfway comes near Kilmainham Gaol, and the route continues through Dolphin's Barn, Crumlin and Terenure. The hard part comes late: around 35 km, the long drag up Clonskeagh and Roebuck Road, nicknamed the Irish Heartbreak Hill. After Nutley Lane by RTÉ, the last kilometres run to the finish by the Pepper Canister Church at Merrion Square.
Race-day weather
Race morning in late October is usually cool, around 8–12 °C, with a fair chance of wind and showers.
Train
Training for the Dublin Marathon 2027
Under twelve weeks to go is short for a marathon block, so these dates count down to the edition after, on Sunday 24 October 2027.
| Plan | Starts on |
|---|---|
| 24 weeks | Monday 10 May 2027 |
| 20 weeks | Monday 7 June 2027 |
| 16 weeks | Monday 5 July 2027 |
| 12 weeks | Monday 2 August 2027 |
For this course
Dublin rewards runners who can hold pace on gentle climbs late in a race. Put rolling routes into your long runs and finish some of them with 3 to 4 km of steady uphill effort, so the Roebuck Road drag around 35 km feels familiar. Your build-up falls in summer, so do key sessions early in the day; then expect a cool, often damp and sometimes windy October morning, and practise running in a light layer you can discard.
See the marathon pace chart or a sample sub-4 plan.
Print a pace band for the Dublin Marathon, with the race clock at every kilometre.
Entry
How to get a place
Places are allocated through an official ballot: for the 2027 race it opens on 12 November 2026 and closes on 17 November, with results on 25 November. Good For Age places open separately in May 2027, and charity places are the other main way in.
2027 lottery From 12 November 2026 to 17 November 2026 · opening soon
Every marathon lottery date for 2027 → Which marathons have no lottery? →Organised by Dublin Marathon Group
Official websiteQuestions
Frequently asked
When is the Dublin Marathon 2026?
The Dublin Marathon 2026 is on Sunday 25 October 2026. The organisers have confirmed the date.
When should I start training for the Dublin Marathon?
Count back from race day: a 16-week plan for the 2027 edition starts on 5 July 2027, a 20-week plan on 7 June 2027. Most runners need 16 to 20 weeks; 12 is the shortest block worth doing.
Is the Dublin Marathon course hilly?
It is mostly flat but not completely. There is an early climb toward Christchurch around 3 km and a long drag up Clonskeagh and Roebuck Road around 35 km, which is the hardest part of the race.
What is the time limit for the Dublin Marathon?
The course stays open for seven hours, counted from when the last participant crosses the start line.
How do I get a place in the Dublin Marathon?
Through the official ballot, which has closed for 2026, or through a charity place.
More marathons nearby
Full marathon calendar →
Your next start line is waiting.
Add your first race in under a minute.
