Running in Dublin, Ireland

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Running Races in Dublin: Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K Calendar

Generate Art Routes in Dublin

2 established annual road races in Dublin. Exact dates move each year, so the month each event is normally held is listed rather than a date that goes stale.

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Annual races in Dublin

RaceDistancesUsual monthCourseTypical conditionsFull details
Dublin MarathonMarathonOctoberHilly14.1°C / 9.4°C · rain ~46% of daysDublin Marathon guide
Dublin Half MarathonHalf marathonSeptemberRolling16.8°C / 11.3°C · rain ~43% of daysDublin Half Marathon guide

Training for one of these? The 10K and long run routes in Dublin use the same roads several of these courses do.

Frequently asked

What is the biggest running race in Dublin?
Dublin Marathon (Marathon), normally held in October. Loops through Phoenix Park and the Georgian squares; the long climb comes around 20 miles.
Is there a marathon in Dublin?
Yes — Dublin Marathon (October). Loops through Phoenix Park and the Georgian squares; the long climb comes around 20 miles.
Are there half marathons in Dublin?
Yes — Dublin Half Marathon (September).
Are there 10K races in Dublin?
No dedicated 10K is listed for Dublin; the marathon and half marathon events above are the main options.
When is the running season in Dublin?
The events listed here fall in September and October. Plan a training block backwards from whichever of those suits you.
What is the weather like for the Dublin Marathon?
In October, Dublin averages a daily high of 14.1°C and a low of 9.4°C, with rain on about 46% of days. That sits in the range most runners race best in. Figures are a ten-year average of recorded conditions for that month, not a forecast.
Which Dublin race is the hardest?
Dublin Marathon — Loops through Phoenix Park and the Georgian squares; the long climb comes around 20 miles. Expect to run 20–40 seconds per kilometre slower than your flat pace for the same effort, and train the descents, not just the climbs.
How do I enter a race in Dublin?
Entry opens on each organiser's own site, and fees, closing dates and start times change every year. Each race above links to its own page here, which covers the course, the conditions and how to train for it, and points you at the organiser for the current year's entry details rather than repeating a number that may already be out of date.
Why are exact race dates not shown?
Race dates move every year and a stale date is worse than none. The month each event is normally held is listed instead, which is what you need to plan a training block. The organiser's site carries the confirmed date once it is announced.
What distances can I race in Dublin?
Across the 2 events listed: Marathon, Half marathon. Pick the distance first and the date second — the build-up a distance needs is what decides which month is realistic.
How long should I train for the Dublin Marathon?
Allow 16 to 20 weeks from a base you already hold, not from scratch. That is the marathon standard, and it assumes you can already run comfortably three times a week before the block starts. The race page for each event breaks the build-up down further.
How far in advance should I enter?
The larger city marathons fill within days of opening, or run a ballot months ahead; smaller 10K and 5K events often take entries until race week. Check the organiser's site as soon as you have picked a race — entry timing is the one thing you cannot make up for later in training.
Can I run these courses outside race day?
Mostly yes, and it is worth doing. City-centre courses use public roads and parks that are open year round, so you can run the closing kilometres as a training session and know exactly what they feel like. The mapped Dublin routes are a practical starting point for that.
Where can I train for these races in Dublin?
The 10K and long-run routes mapped for Dublin use many of the same roads and paths these courses do, so they work as course reconnaissance as well as training. Each race page also lists how long a build-up the distance needs.

Explore pages for Dublin