Irish Life Dublin Marathon
The Irish Life Dublin Marathon is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and scenic route, taking participants through Dublin's vibrant streets and iconic landmarks such as Phoenix Park and the River Liffey. The relatively flat course and enthusiastic local support make it a popular event for runners of all abilities.
Elevation Details
- Total Elevation Gain:208
- Net Elevation Gain:-6
Notable Landmarks
- 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.
Location Details
Other Race Distances
Estimated Hotel Cost
220 USD per night
Race Requirements
Eligibility
Age of 18
Required Documents
Photo ID
Entry Methods
Charity Fundraiser
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.
- Charity Fundraiser550 GBP
- Race Series Entries Open2025-02-19