Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2026

The Dublin Marathon route offers a scenic and historic tour of the city, starting in Georgian Dublin and passing key landmarks such as St. Stephen’s Green, Christ Church Cathedral, and the River Liffey. Runners then head west through the roads of the Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed park, before looping through suburban neighborhoods like Crumlin, Terenure, and Ballsbridge. The mostly flat course is ideal for setting personal bests, with plenty of support along the way from enthusiastic local crowds. The race finishes back in the city center near Merrion Square, close to the start line.

Getting to Dublin

Dublin Airport (DUB): Ireland’s main international gateway, located about 12 km (7 miles) north of the city center. It serves direct flights from across Europe, North America, and beyond.
• Bus: The Aircoach and Dublin Express services run 24/7, connecting the airport with central locations like O’Connell Street, St Stephen’s Green, and Heuston Station in around 25–40 minutes.
• Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside arrivals and cost around $30–$40 for the 20–30 minute journey to the city center, depending on traffic.

Getting around Dublin
• Buses: Dublin Bus operates an extensive network covering the entire city and suburbs. Services are frequent and reliable.

• Taxis: Taxis are widely available and metered, with apps like Free Now and Bolt providing convenient booking options.

• Cycling & Walking: Dublin is a compact and pedestrian-friendly city, making walking a great option for marathon weekend.

With Sports Tours, you never run alone. We’ll meet you at your hotel, escort you to the race expo, and get you to the start line with ease. Join us for a 5 km (3.1 miles) shakeout run, meet fellow runners, and celebrate together post-race.

Please make your own arrangements to fly to Dublin and transport from Dublin airport to your hotel. Dependent on your arrival time, you could head to the marathon expo to collect your race bib, located at the Royal Dublin Society, Merrion Road. In the evening, join us for welcome reception in the hotel bar, a perfect opportunity for solo travelers to meet like-minded runners.

In the morning, we are hosting a 5 km shakeout run to get your legs moving pre-race day. Later, attend our pre-race briefing to ease any nerves and address your questions.

If you haven’t collected your race bibs, head to the marathon expo, located at the Royal Dublin Society, Merrion Road.

Today is the day! There are 4 wave starts, fifteen minutes apart. Participants should arrive at their starting area in good time via one of the time zones. Participants should arrive prepared to run – changing facilities are not provided. Celebrate your incredible achievements with post-marathon drinks in the hotel!

With so much to see and explore in Dublin, today you can sightsee before traveling home.