Creating a Fairer Balance Between Previous Participants and First-Time Runners
The organisers of the Irish Life Dublin Marathon have announced that all general entries for 2026 and onwards will be allocated through a ballot system.
This change is designed to create a fairer balance between previous participants and newcomers. More places will be made available for first-time runners, as approximately 70% of entries in recent years have been claimed by previous participants. Additionally, efforts will focus on increasing female representation, as women currently comprise only 36% of the field.
End of 48-Hour Priority Entry
The previous 48-hour priority entry window, which allowed participants of the current year’s marathon to register for the following year’s marathon before the ballot opened, will no longer be in effect.
However, runners who have participated in the Dublin Marathon before will still be well represented, as those entering the ballot can indicate if they have previously participated in the Dublin Marathon since 2016.
The early entry opportunity previously offered to women who participated in the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon will also transition into the general ballot system, as organisers focus on increasing female participation to a higher number than achieved through this initiative.
Good for Age + Charity Places
In addition to the general ballot, entries will also be reserved for:
· Elite athletes
· Good for Age qualifiers
· Charity places
· Community programmes and sponsors
Charity entries remain a valuable route for runners supporting fundraising initiatives. The Good for Age category provides guaranteed entry for runners who achieve a qualifying marathon time within the past two years, based on verified standards by age and gender.
Additional Entry Opportunities
If runners are unsuccessful in the ballot, they will have additional chances to gain entry through a transfer window and a refund system, both of which will release returned places back into circulation. The dates for the transfer window and the refund process will be announced in 2026.
Ballot Process
A €5 administration fee will apply to ballot entries to cover processing and verification costs. This fee will be redeemable against the full €110 entry fee if you are successful, or non-refundable if you are unsuccessful. Only one ballot entry is permitted per person.
Applications for entry to the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Marathon via the ballot system will open for six days at 7 am on Wednesday, 12th November, and close at midnight on Monday, 17th November, at www.irishlifedublinmarathon.ie. Ballot results will be communicated to applicants on Tuesday, 25th November, and Wednesday, 26th November, with notifications released in batches over both days.