Irish Life Dublin Marathon

Why this race belongs on a competitive runner's shortlist

Dublin suits runners who want a large city marathon with park scenery and a demanding late test. The sold-out 2026 race has 22,500 registered participants. Phoenix Park gives the early course a long green stretch, and the finish at Pepper Canister Church brings runners back into the city centre. The tradeoff is the climb toward Roebuck Road near 35 km. A personal-best plan needs room for that rise rather than assuming the whole route is flat.

Course overview

This city loop starts on Leeson Street Lower and finishes on Mount Street Upper beside Pepper Canister Church. It passes St Stephen's Green and St Patrick's Cathedral, crosses the River Liffey, and enters Phoenix Park. Castleknock and Chapelizod lead toward Kilmainham and the Crumlin Road halfway area. Terenure comes before the final climbs on Milltown, Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads; Fosters Avenue then leads down toward Stillorgan Road, Nutley Lane and Merrion Road.

Kilometers 0 to 10: City centre and Phoenix Park

Leeson Street begins downhill before Patrick Street rises toward Christchurch. The descent to the River Liffey comes before Phoenix Park, entered around 6 km. Allow the grade to change pace while keeping effort modest. The map places water around mile 3 near Aughrim Street and around mile 5 on Chesterfield Avenue. Use the park stop with your planned early fuel rather than waiting for the first sports-drink station.

Kilometers 10 to 21.1: Castleknock to Crumlin

The Castleknock exit has a short climb, followed by a descent through the park toward Chapelizod. Kilmainham Gaol and Dolphin's Barn lead to the undulating approach along Crumlin Road. Save effort on the rise, then return to target effort instead of trying to regain every second. Water is mapped around mile 7 on College Road, near mile 10 around Chapelizod, and before mile 13 at Brickfields Park; the latter two also show Lucozade Sport.

Kilometers 21.1 to 32.2: Terenure and Dartry

Cromwellsfort and Fortfield Roads are flatter before the downhill along Templeogue Road into Terenure. Dartry Road provides another descent toward the start of the closing climbs. This is a useful place to check your effort and keep fueling, with no need to accelerate simply because the road is easier. Water is mapped around mile 16.5 on Fortfield Road and near mile 19.5 on Dartry Road, where Lucozade Sport is also marked.

Kilometers 32.2 to 42.2: Roebuck Road and the finish

Milltown Road rises before the 3 km climb along Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads. The toughest point comes around 35 km, then Fosters Avenue drops toward Stillorgan Road. Conserve effort uphill and wait for the descent to bring pace back. The map shows water, sports drink and High5 gels just after mile 22 on Fosters Avenue, with another water stop around mile 24.5 on Merrion Road. The closing approach passes the RDS before Mount Street Upper.

Elevation checkpoints and how to read them

FindMyMarathon models 208 m of ascent and 214 m of descent, with elevations between 2 m and 71 m. These are modeled route totals rather than organizer-survey measurements. The official course description identifies the early Patrick Street rise, the Castleknock climb, and the late 3 km rise along Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads. Around 35 km is the main late checkpoint. Keep enough effort in reserve for it, even if the earlier park sections feel comfortable.

Aid stations and race-day logistics

The current map marks water around miles 3, 5, 7, 10, 11.5, 12.7, 16.5, 19.5, 22.3 and 24.5. These are approximate readings of symbols against mile markers; Lucozade Sport is shown near 10, 12.7, 19.5 and 22.3, with High5 gels near 12.7 and 22.3. The 2026 start map directs runners to walk into the Merrion Square baggage and wave area from Clare Street or Merrion Row. Follow your bib-colour walking route to Leeson Street Lower. Only the supplied clear kit bag is permitted; security checks also apply to hydration packs.

Practical pacing plan

Hold back on Patrick Street and the Castleknock rise instead of chasing a fixed split. Across Phoenix Park and the flatter Terenure roads, use a sustainable effort and keep the fueling schedule steady. Save a controlled push for the descent from Fosters Avenue and the approach along Merrion Road once the Roebuck Road climb is behind you. Wind can add effort on open stretches, and rain changes grip, so judge your pace against conditions as well as the course.

Historical weather pattern

October history for Dublin, Ireland gives a typical daily temperature range of 42.7 to 62.4 degrees Fahrenheit, daily maximum sustained winds of 8.2 to 20.4 mph, and at least 1 mm of rain on 43.9 percent of days. Historical conditions can change, so check the race-week forecast before travel and again on race morning.

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