Dublin Marathon
Dublin, Ireland · Last Sunday of October
Europe's fourth-largest marathon winds one lap around Dublin's Georgian city centre and leafy southside suburbs, finishing beside Merrion Square. The course is genuinely rolling: two significant climbs in the first half (peaking at 59 m at km 10 and 50 m at km 25) test your pacing discipline early, and Heartbreak Hill on Roebuck Road at km 37 is the decisive late-race sting. Irish national records have been set here, and the World Athletics Elite Label (from 2024) attracts a competitive international field alongside 20,000 club and charity runners.
Course
Elevation gain
208 m
Net elevation
-6 m
Finishers
~18,500
Month
October
Last Sunday of October
Race-day weather
Median start temp
10°C
Historical range
6–13°C
Hot-year risk
Low
Cool, maritime, and reliable — 9am start temperatures typically hover around 10°C with overcast skies and occasional light rain. Genuinely hot conditions have never occurred in 26 years of race-day records.
Getting in
Lottery. Public ballot opens for ~one week in mid-November (€5 admin fee, credited toward the €110 entry if selected). Over 47,000 applications for ~20,000 spots in 2026. Charity places, Good for Age guaranteed entry, and summer bib transfers also available. Official site ↗
Pacing plans for Dublin Marathon
Course-adjusted splits for every common goal — not flat even splits, but pacing that matches where this course is fast and where it bites.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Dublin Marathon a fast course?
Yes, it is a fast course by big-marathon standards. The course has 208 m of total elevation gain. We rate it 7/10 for PR potential.
What is the weather usually like at the Dublin Marathon?
The median start-line temperature is around 10°C, with a historical range of roughly 6–13°C. Cool, maritime, and reliable — 9am start temperatures typically hover around 10°C with overcast skies and occasional light rain. Genuinely hot conditions have never occurred in 26 years of race-day records.
How do you get into the Dublin Marathon?
Lottery. Public ballot opens for ~one week in mid-November (€5 admin fee, credited toward the €110 entry if selected). Over 47,000 applications for ~20,000 spots in 2026. Charity places, Good for Age guaranteed entry, and summer bib transfers also available.
Is the Dublin Marathon a Boston qualifier?
Yes — the Dublin Marathon is a certified course accepted by the B.A.A. for Boston qualifying times.