The organisers of the Dublin Marathon have announced today the cancellation of the 2021 KBC Dublin Marathon scheduled to take place on Sunday 24th of October. The race usually sees thousands of runners of all abilities hit the street of Dublin to take on the marathon distance of 26.2 miles.

Jim Aughney, Race Director, said: “It is with great regret that we are cancelling the KBC Dublin Marathon for the second year in a row. Despite vigorous evaluations, there are still too many unknowns to be confident that we could provide a safe event given the pure scale of the marathon. We have a duty of care to the runners, volunteers, suppliers and supporters. This will be extremely disappointing news for all runners entered. We want to thank them for their continued support.”

He added: “We have come to a critical point in our event planning when a final decision needed to be made. We took into consideration the recent updates on modelling around Covid-19 and the immense challenges of creating a controlled, safe environment for the KBC Dublin Marathon which has a footprint of 26.2 miles with 25,000 runners and 200,000 supporters who line the streets to cheer them on.”

All entries for the 2021 KBC Dublin Marathon will be valid for the 2022 race. For those who do not wish to avail of this, a full refund option will be available.  The refund window will open on Wednesday 7^th of July and will close at midnight on Saturday 31st July. The refund will be available on “Manage My Bookings” via Event Master, See https://youtu.be/ssyiTkup-uw.

Runners can still enter and take part in the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon over the October Bank Holiday weekend; Saturday 23rd, Sunday 24th and Monday the 25th.

We had planned to be able to make the official announcement today on whether the event could go ahead. However, we are still in the process of engaging the relevant stakeholders.

We therefore now are pushing the date of when you will receive official confirmation of whether the real race can go ahead on Sunday 24th of October, from Friday 25th of June to no later than Thursday 15th of July.

Our priority is to bring the Marathon back to the streets of Dublin safely for all involved and we would ask for runners’ patience and support at this time while we endeavour to make this a possibility.

We have today announced that the KBC Dublin Race Series which leads into the Marathon will be virtual for 2021 with distances of 4 Mile, 10km, 10 Mile and Half marathon available to run from June through to September. Entry is also open for the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon which will take place over the October bank holiday weekend.

For runners who have secured a place for the 2021 KBC Dublin Marathon on Sunday 24th of October, it is still too early to say definitively if the event will go ahead due to Covid 19 restrictions. Entrants will receive an official confirmation by Friday 25^thof June. We are cautiously optimistic that there is still potential for it to proceed.

Jim Aughney Race Director said: “We are still working towards holding the 2021 KBC Dublin Marathon in October. The detailed planning by the organising committee is ongoing and we continue to engage with the relevant authorities. We wanted to be transparent with runners to let them know the date we will make the final decision while also offering runners who have not secured a place, an option to enter our virtual marathon.”

He added: “We are making the final decision as late as possible so we can review the state of play while also ensuring we can start the critical event management needed to provide the quality of race for runners that we pride ourselves on delivering.”

Entry for the KBC Virtual Race Series is €10 per race and €15 for entry to the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon. All finishers of the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon and Race Series will receive a commemorative medal, marathon finishers will also receive a beanie #RunYourTown.

KBC Virtual Race Series Dates

• Fingal 4 Mile                                                        19^th & 20^th June
• South Dublin 10k                                                17^th & 18^th July
• Frank Duffy 10 Mile                                           21^st & 22^nd August
• Half Marathon                                                    18^th & 19^th September

KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon

• Bank Holiday weekend: Saturday 23^rd, Sunday 24^th and Monday the 25^th of October

Entry Fees

• KBC Virtual Race Series entry is €10 per race plus postage and packaging of finishers medal.
• KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon entry is €15 plus postage and packaging of finishers medal and beanie.
• KBC Virtual Race Series event t-shirt can be purchased at €12.50
• KBC Virtual Marathon event t-shirt can be purchased at €18
• The entry fee includes access to KBC Dublin Marathon and Race Series app which has a built-in GPS tracking feature that automatically records the runner’s distance and time with results uploaded automatically when they have completed their race.
• All finishers can download a digital celebration frame to share their race finishing moments on social media

FAQ

• What will happen if you need to cancel the KBC Dublin Marathon event?

If that were to happen, all entries for the 2021 KBC Dublin Marathon (rolled over from 2020) would receive a place in the 2022 KBC Dublin Marathon. For those who do not wish to avail of this, a full refund option will be available.

• If you need to have a reduced field in the marathon, how will you select who gets to run?

It is still too early to give details on what our approach would be if this were to happen. We will have greater clarity by Friday 25th of June of the potential scenarios and we will inform runners of the approach that will be taken then.

• Is there a limit on virtual entries?

There is no limit on entries for any of the KBC Virtual Race Series Races or for the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon.

• Will an entry for the 2020 KBC Race Series still hold for 2022?

Yes, your entry for the 2020 KBC Race Series will be valid for the 2022 KBC Race Series.

• Is there a refund option available for the KBC Race Series for those who rolled over entries from 2020 to 2021?

For those who do not wish to keep their rolled over entry place in the 2021 KBC Race Series, a refund option will be made available up to 18th June 2021. The refund will be available on “Manage My Bookings” from your entry confirmation link.

• Do you have details on how you could run the event?

We continually focus on delivering a quality and safe racing experience for all runners. The detailed planning by the organising committee is ongoing in terms of potential safety measures and protocols and participant requirements to ensure the event’s safe running. Runners will be informed in advance of any new protocols.

• Will International runners be taking part in the 2021 KBC Dublin Marathon?

We are currently not able to update you on whether it will be possible for international participants to take part or not, we will let runners who have secured a place for the 2021 Dublin Marathon know by Friday 25th of June.

Dublin Marathon organisers have today announced details of the official KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon. It will take place on the October bank holiday weekend, marking when thousands of runners traditionally hit the streets of Dublin. Despite the cancellation of this year’s marathon, the virtual race will ensure runners still have a goal to target. There are also options to sign up the KBC Virtual Race Series distances; 4 Mile, 10km and Half Marathon. Runners, participating with their smartphone, can complete the distances safely in their local area and will be supported by the Dublin Marathon app, which will record their distance and upload their time automatically.

Jim Aughney race director said: “The KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon will allow runners to feel a sense of togetherness while they run in their own cities, town and villages around Ireland and worldwide.” He added: “We are urging all those who sign up to be responsible and safe in adhering to Covid-19 restrictions.”

Each year €9 million is raised for charity by runners of the KBC Dublin Marathon. Those who sign-up to the virtual races are encouraged to use the opportunity to have a positive impact by raising much-needed funds for charities at this challenging time with charity partner Just Giving.

Olympic Marathon runner Lizzie Lee said: “While nothing can beat the atmosphere and support on the streets of Dublin of the friendly marathon, the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon will be a close second. I am delighted for runners that they can stay motivated by having a goal to aim towards.”

Finishers of the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon and Race Series will receive the official commemorative medal, with the much sought-after beanie hat the bonus for all those who complete the marathon distance.

Marathon organisers have also worked to develop an app to support runners completing the marathon distance. The app has a built-in GPS tracking feature which automatically records your distance and time with results uploaded automatically when runners have completed their race.

Stephen Scullion, National Marathon Champion 2019, who is set to compete in the 2021 Olympic Games said: “The official KBC Dublin Marathon app will be beneficial for runners, as they can track their virtual progress on the Dublin route, no matter what part of the country or world they are running in. It will be a real immersive experience for them.”

Aidan Power Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs, KBC said “Working with the Dublin Marathon organisers, we wanted to support what is traditionally a big weekend in the calendar for the running community. For the many loyal and new runners of the KBC Dublin Marathon, we wanted to offer them an opportunity to run the marathon safely and virtually in their local area. We launched the #RunThisTown social media campaign to support runners taking to their streets safely in their local areas during the month of May and the response was great. I am sure we will see the same enthusiasm for the KBC Virtual Dublin Marathon.”

Existing runners in the database for the KBC Dublin Marathon and Race Series will receive an email today (Monday the 13th of July) with an opportunity to sign-up. While entries for the public will be open on Wednesday 15^th of July at noon on kbcdublinmarathon.ie. Entry closes on Friday 24^th of July.)

It is with great regret that the organisers of the Dublin Marathon have today announced the cancellation of the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon and Race Series.

Jim Aughney Race Director said: “We know this is extremely disappointing for all runners, especially those who secured marathon entries. We made the difficult decision in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of all those involved in making our events such a success from runners, supporters, volunteers, sponsors, to suppliers. We explored many alternatives for running the events safely but ultimately none were viable.”

All entries for the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon and the Race Series will be valid for the 2021 races. For those who do not wish to avail of this, a full refund option is available.

Aidan Power Director of Marketing and Corporate Affairs of KBC said “Whilst this decision will disappoint the many loyal runners and spectators of the KBC Dublin Marathon, it is essential that public health and wellbeing takes priority over everything else. This is the right and responsible decision that the event organisers of the Dublin Marathon have taken and KBC as sponsors remain committed to its support and look forward to welcoming runners again in 2021.”  

Why did the race organisers of the Race Series and Dublin Marathon decide to cancel the races? 

The organisers considered many alternative approaches in event planning to make running the KBC Dublin Marathon and Race Series with appropriate social distancing possible. However, after careful consideration, the difficult decision was made by the organisers to cancel both the KBC Dublin Marathon and Race Series. It was a decision made in the best interest of the health and wellbeing of runners, supporters, volunteers, sponsors, suppliers and all those involved in making the running of these events possible.

Will my place for the KBC Dublin Marathon still hold for 2021?

Yes, your entry for the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon will be valid for the 2021 race.

Is there a refund option available for the KBC Dublin Marathon? 

For those who do not wish to keep their entry place in the 2021 KBC Dublin Marathon, a refund option will be made available up to 18th June 2020. The refund will be available on “Manage My Bookings” from your entry confirmation link.

I missed a lottery entry place in 2020 will there be any chance of getting an entry into 2021 race?

Details regarding the potential reallocation of lottery places as a result of refunds will be made in early 2021.

What will happen to the national championships?

As a result of the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon cancellation, Athletics Ireland can confirm that the 2020 National Marathon Championship scheduled within the event has been cancelled. All athletes entered in the 2020 National Marathon Championship will automatically have their entry deferred to the new 2021 event as detailed by KBC Dublin Marathon.

Will my entry for the KBC Race Series still hold for 2021?

Yes, your entry for the 2020 KBC Race Series will be valid for the 2021 KBC Race Series.

Is there a refund option available for the KBC Race Series?

For those who do not wish to keep their entry place in the KBC Race Series, a refund option will be made available up to 18th June 2020. The refund will be available on “Manage My Bookings” from your entry confirmation link.

Will there be a virtual run instead?

The organisers are currently exploring options and will make an announcement regarding this in the coming weeks.