2026 Finisher Medal Revealed for the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon
SEPTEMBER 7, 2026
Celebrating 13.1 Miles Through Phoenix Park; Where Every Runner Arrives with a Reason
With the highly anticipated final event of the Irish Life Dublin Race Series just two weeks away, Dublin Marathon Group have unveiled the finisher medal for the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon. The medal celebrates the iconic setting that has been home to the event for more than two decades, Phoenix Park.
The design brings together two of the park’s more recognisable features, the Wellington Monument and a pair of deer. Together, they create an instant connection to the place where thousands will take on the 13.1-mile challenge, recognising the long-standing relationship between the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon, it’s runners and Phoenix Park.
Since the inaugural race in 2002, year after year, first-timers, elite athletes, club runners and more have passed the historic Wellington Monument on the way to the finish line. The 2026 medal acknowledges these moments, honouring over two decades of running stories in Phoenix Park.
While some runners will arrive chasing a personal best, others will see the race as a key test on the road to marathon day, and the 2026 finisher medal celebrates the park as the meeting point for these different ambitions, where every runner arrives with a reason. At the heart of the design, the Celtic knot reflects the connection between runners, the event and its Irish identity. The lines radiating from the Wellington Monument represent the individual journeys of thousands of runners, brought together by the shared achievement of 13.1 miles at an event that has become a firm fixture in the Irish running calendar.
Much more than a finisher’s keepsake, the medal will provide a lasting reminder of their experience far beyond race day; from the miles they ran, the reason they arrived, and the iconic backdrop of Phoenix Park where they made it happen.
Race Director Jim Aughney said, “A finisher medal should mean something long after race day. This year’s design is a reminder of the iconic setting in which the 13.1-mile achievement takes place. Phoenix Park has been part of the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon story for over two decades, and we wanted to create something that runners could look back on and immediately connect with their experience.”
Seán Ó Riain, Chief Executive Officer, Dublin Marathon Group, added, “For some, receiving this medal will mark a breakthrough, whether it is a first half marathon completed or a personal best. For others, it is a stepping stone towards a bigger goal. Their reasons for taking part may be completely different, but they all share the experience of 13.1 miles through Phoenix Park. We hope the medal becomes a lasting reminder of that achievement, and of the personal journey behind it.”
