Irish Life Dublin Marathon guide

Sun, Oct 25, 2026 · Dublin, Ireland · Start 8:45 AM

What to know when planning this race

Start, finish & getting there
The start (Fitzwilliam Street Upper) and finish (Merrion Square North) are a few minutes' walk apart in Georgian Dublin.
Convenient areas to stay
Dublin 2 and Ballsbridge (Dublin 4) are close to the start, the finish and the RDS expo.
Confirmed vs. carried over
The race date and start time were checked against official race information on Oct 15, 2026. The expo venue and hours follow prior years.
Plan around before race morning
  • Runner waves start at 8:45, 9:05, 9:25 and 9:45 AM. Check yours.
  • Take the DART to Grand Canal Dock/Pearse or the Luas Green Line to St Stephen's Green.
  • The expo has been held at RDS Simmonscourt; confirm before booking.

Sources for Irish Life Dublin Marathon:

Race overview

Organizer
Dublin Marathon DAC
Date
Sun, Oct 25, 2026
Distance
Marathon
Start time
8:45 AM
Start location
Fitzwilliam Street Upper
Finish location
Merrion Square North
Official race website

Last verified Oct 15, 2026. Source

Course

Cumulative elevation, mile by mile. Amber bars are the significant climbs.

Significant climbs

  • Mile 4–5 · +35 ft
  • Mile 5–6 · +35 ft
  • Mile 6–7 · +35 ft

Significant descents

  • Mile 4–5 · −35 ft
  • Mile 5–6 · −35 ft
  • Mile 6–7 · −35 ft
Mile-by-mile course notes
  • Mile 0–1 +12 / −12 ft · Course totals ≈ 440 ft gain / 440 ft loss (approximate, from published course data).
  • Mile 1–2 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 2–3 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 3–4 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 4–5 +35 / −35 ft · Long gradual climb through the Phoenix Park.
  • Mile 5–6 +35 / −35 ft
  • Mile 6–7 +35 / −35 ft
  • Mile 7–8 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 8–9 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 9–10 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 10–11 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 11–12 +35 / −35 ft · Rolling section through Crumlin and Walkinstown.
  • Mile 12–13 +35 / −35 ft
  • Mile 13–14 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 14–15 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 15–16 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 16–17 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 17–18 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 18–19 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 19–20 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 20–21 +35 / −35 ft · Roebuck Road / Clonskeagh climb — the course's toughest late hill.
  • Mile 21–22 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 22–23 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 23–24 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 24–25 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 25–26 +12 / −12 ft
  • Mile 26–26.2 +2 / −2 ft

Aid stations

  • Mile 3.1

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 5

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 6.2

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 8.1

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 9.3

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 11.2

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 12.4

    GEL

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 14.3

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 15.5

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 17.4

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 18.6

    GEL

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 20.5

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 21.7

    GEL

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 23.6

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

  • Mile 24.9

    Approximate — typical every-5-km pattern; confirm on the official course map.

Rules & important information

Race rules
Bib on the front, no headphones in the first wave, follow marshals. Bag drop uses designated areas near the start.
Cutoff times
Course is timed for about 7 hours; sweep follows the final runners.
Transportation
DART to Grand Canal Dock or Pearse, or Luas Green Line to St Stephen's Green. Central roads close from early morning.
Other notes
Wheelchair start 8:40 AM; runner waves at 8:45, 9:05, 9:25 and 9:45 AM (official). Course segment, aid station, expo and hotel details are compiled from published race information and prior years and are not yet officially verified — confirm with the organizer.

Last verified Oct 15, 2026. Source

Race week & expo

  • Marathon Expo — RDS Simmonscourt (prior years)

    Simmonscourt Rd, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4

    Fri, Oct 23, 202610:00 AM – 8:00 PM
    Sat, Oct 24, 20269:00 AM – 6:00 PM
    Packet pickup
    Bib, timing chip and event shirt are collected together at the expo. Bring your registration confirmation.
    ID requirements
    Government-issued photo ID required. Hours and venue are based on prior years — confirm on the official site.
    Parking
    Limited paid parking; public transport recommended.
    Transit
    Use public transport where possible; see the official site for directions.

    Verification date unavailable. Source

Ready 2 Race recommendation: visit the expo on the first day it opens if your travel allows — final-afternoon queues are the longest. This is guidance, not an official requirement.

Athlete tracking & results

Open tracking & results

Tracking and results come from the race organizer.

Hotels near the start, Airbnb and travel planning are available when you create your account.

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