Irish Life Dublin Marathon
Sun 27 Oct 2024 Dublin, Ireland

Irish Life Dublin Marathon

Europe's 5th largest marathon follows a city centre lap perfect for marathon running. Much-loved and always oversubscribed, it's super-friendly and unmissable.

Get charity place
  • Sun 27 Oct 2024
Fitzwilliam Street Upper, Dublin

Irish Life Dublin Marathon

08:45

£35

Age 18 & over

  • 26.2 miles road running

Overview

A hugely popular marathon, with a predominantly flat course through the historic city of Dublin. Attracting over 20,000 runners year on year, participants enjoy an electrifying and hugely supportive Irish atmosphere with interesting sights throughout the single-lap course.

Highlights

  • Ireland's largest marathon

    Europe's fifth largest marathon with over 20,000 runners.

  • Varied, interesting, flat

    Featuring Fitzwilliam Square, Phoenix Park, the Grand Canal, Bushy Park and University College Dublin.

  • Entertainment zones

    To maximise motivation on route.

  • Hot tourist destination

    Perfect spot for a cultural weekend away.

Event video

  • Event expo
  • Event village
  • Fancy dress
  • Spectators
  • Traders at event
  • Wheelchair users

Timetable

  • 12:00-19:00 | Friday - Collect race bag during registration
  • 09:00-19:00 | Saturday - Collect race bag during registration

  • Bag storage
  • Cafe
  • Entertainment
  • Paid parking
  • Park
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Fitzwilliam Street Upper
Dublin
D02 K227
Ireland

The illustrious city of Dublin has been drawing visitors in their droves for years. The incredibly picturesque medieval city also has a more modern and cosmopolitan side to it, whilst the more compact nature, compared with other European capitals, means it's easy and inviting to the visitor. The cultural and arts sector is burgeoning, meaning there's so much happening, you'll never fail to find a wonderful way to experience this city.

  • Distance markers
  • Entertainment
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Food stations
  • Marshals
  • Out and back
  • Toilets
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Wave start

Highlights

  • Start at Fitzwilliam Square
  • Pass Dublin Zoo
  • Race through Phoenix Park
  • Cross the Grand Canal as you head south to Bushy Park
  • Pass University College Dublin as you approach the finish
  • Cross the line at Merrion Square

Useful route info

The is a single lap, starting and finishing close to the City Centre. Conditions for marathon running are ideal.

The Irish climate is influenced by the prevailing light South Westerly winds of the Gulf Stream. The average temperatures for October are around 12 – 14°C (53 – 57°F). Dublin has only about 30 inches of rain annually–ideal for running.

  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy

Sustainability policy

  • Goody bags are 100% compostable.
  • Baggage bags are made from Oxo-degradable plastic.
  • Plastic bottles will all be recycled - that's 100% of them.
  • Unopened water bottles donated to local running club for use.
  • Recycling receptacles at the event for a range of materials.
  • Discarded clothes at the start line will go to charity.
  • Race instructions and registration materials will be digital, not printed.
  • Not all race numbers will be printed to allow for the usual drop-offs.
  • All branding material, banners etc collected and reused.
  • All generators used will be fitted with either Exhaust Gas Recirculation or a Diesel Particular filter depending on the size of the Generator.
  • Leftover Goody Bags collected by charity.
  • Lucozade Sport trialing fully compostable cups as part of their plans to drive sustainability at mass-participation sporting events.

  • Chip timing
  • Eco goody bag
  • GPS tracking
  • iTAB
  • Map
  • Medal
  • Technical t-shirt

The race goody bag is a great way for each runner to try and sample new products, existing favourites, as well as learn of exciting new launches/services in the athletics and foods sector.

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising required
  • Fundraising support

Every year thousands of runners take part in this event and fundraise for charity. While this is hugely beneficial to the charities it gives the runner advantages too, from supporting a cause that is close to your heart to securing a place in this highly sought-after event and much more.

Benefits of running for charity

Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:

  • Fundraising support

    Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners.

  • Training support

    Whether this is your first run or your fifth, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and Olympic champs.

  • Branded running kit

    When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.

  • Support on the day

    When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Many charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!

  • Post-race recovery

    Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.

  • Exclusive social groups

    You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.

What are charity places?

Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if ballot entries are closed.

Marathon running and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Mental health

Rethink Mental Illness

Challenging attitudes on mental health to help those severely affected by mental illness.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£50

Fundraise
£1,250

Cancer

Orchid, Fighting Male Cancer

Raising awareness and saving lives for prostate, testicular and penile cancer.

  • T-shirt
  • Running vest
  • Fundraising materials
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£35

Fundraise
£1,000

  • Age 18 & over
  • Ballot closed
  • Charity entries open
  • Ballot
  • Charity places
  • Collect race pack
  • Fundraising required
  • Series discount

The Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2024 ballot opened in November for a couple of weeks and has now closed.

The event is always over-subscribed however you can secure a place by running for charity.