Dublin Marathon 2026: course, autumn weather and support from home

On Sunday, October 25, 2026, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon celebrates 45 years of the race. If you’re travelling over from France or elsewhere in Europe, chances are your family is staying home. Here’s the course, what late-October weather can throw at you, and how your people can still be with you on the road.

Start waves and times

The race starts on Leeson Street Lower, by St Stephen’s Green. The wheelchair start goes at 8:40 am, then the waves follow your bib color:

• Bib Orange: Dublin time 8:45 am · Paris time 9:45 am
• Bib Green: Dublin time 9:05 am · Paris time 10:05 am
• Bib Blue: Dublin time 9:25 am · Paris time 10:25 am
• Bib Purple: Dublin time 9:45 am · Paris time 10:45 am

Heads-up: clocks go back that same night in Ireland and across Europe. The one-hour gap with Paris doesn’t change, but double-check your watch and phone on race morning. The organiser notes times may change on the day. You can drop back a wave, but not move up.

The course, 10K by 10K

0–10K. A downhill start through St Stephen’s Green, then the Liberties and St Patrick’s Cathedral. First climb on Patrick Street toward Christchurch, then down to the Liffey and the Northside. Around 6K you enter Phoenix Park, past Dublin Zoo and along Chesterfield Avenue.

10–21K. Out of the park toward Castleknock with a short climb, back in through Knockmaroon Gate, down to Chapelizod and on to Inchicore. After Kilmainham Gaol it turns gently rolling toward Dolphin’s Barn and Crumlin Road, the halfway point.

21–31K. The fastest stretch: Cromwellsfort Road, Fortfield Road, then a downhill along Templeogue Road into Terenure.

31–42K. The decider. Downhill on Dartry Road, an incline on Milltown Road, then roughly 3K of climbing along Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads. Around 35K comes what the organiser calls the “Irish Heartbreak Hill”. Then Fosters Avenue downhill, Stillorgan Road, Nutley Lane at 38K, and the long Merrion Road straight to the finish at the Pepper Canister Church on Mount Street Upper.

The course stays open for seven hours after the last runner crosses the start, with tail walkers supporting those near the cut-off.

Autumn weather: what to plan for

Late October in Dublin can mean wind, drizzle and a sky that changes within the hour. Check the Met Éireann forecast the day before rather than relying on averages. Bring a throwaway layer for the start, something warm for after the finish, and protect your phone if you run with it.

Running Dublin while your family is at home

With only one hour between Dublin and Paris, your supporters will be up and around for your whole race, even if they’re not on Merrion Road. That’s exactly what Cobbr is built for: they record voice messages in advance and pick the kilometer where you’ll hear each one. With live messages on, they can also react in real time from the same link.

On this course, the kilometers that really count:

• 6K, entering Phoenix Park: a message to settle you down.
• 21K, Crumlin Road: halfway.
• 32–35K, Clonskeagh, Roebuck and Heartbreak Hill: when you need a familiar voice.
• 38K, Nutley Lane: just the straight left.
• 41K, Merrion Road: one last word before the Pepper Canister Church.

For ideas, see our encouragement messages for runners, and for real-time support, how live messages while you run work.

Same weekend: Lille

October 25 is also the comeback of the Lille Marathon. If part of your club is in Lille while you’re in Dublin, you can all send each other messages the same morning, one hour apart.

If you already know Dublin, you may have run the Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile, which also goes through Phoenix Park. And if you’re collecting races across the UK and Ireland, check our guides to the Belfast City Half and the Edinburgh Marathon.

FAQ

What time does the 2026 Dublin Marathon start?

Sunday, October 25, 2026: first wave at 8:45 am Dublin time, last wave at 9:45 am.

Is the Dublin Marathon course flat?

No. It mixes flat sections and climbs, including about 3K uphill on Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads and the “Irish Heartbreak Hill” around 35K.

Where is the finish?

On Mount Street Upper, at the Pepper Canister Church, after the Merrion Road straight.

Cover photo: Ha'penny Bridge — Robert David Linsdell / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.