The KBC Dublin Marathon and Race Series organisers are continuing to monitor the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation closely during these challenging times, and following the Government announcements about the Covid-19 outbreak. It is with regret that the Fingal 4 mile, scheduled for May 24th, and the South Dublin 10K, scheduled for July 26th have both been postponed.

Our priority is the safety and wellbeing of our runners, volunteers and sponsors.

We fully understand this is disappointing news to all our dedicated followers, but it is in the best interest of the community. The events will be rescheduled to October 11th for the Fingal 4 mile and November 29th for the South Dublin 10K. If you cannot make this new date, your entry will be transferred to the 2021 running of the event.

Many thanks for your support in this challenging time.

KBC Race Series Team.

Remember

Wash Your Hands

Practise Social Distancing when out Running

Don’t Share Water Bottles

The KBC Dublin Marathon race organisers have today announced that there will be a record 25,000 entries for the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon. This represents an increase of 2,500 from the 22,500 entries available in 2019. The new lottery system has revealed that there are over 35,000 interested in participating in the 2020 event. 16,200 entries have been received from runners who had participated in any of the 2017, 2018 & 2019 editions of the event, who were guaranteed a place in the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon. 1,000 entries are allocated to sponsors and tour operators, with a further 1,300 to “Good for Age” Athletics Ireland membership in addition to the 16,100 lottery applications bringing the overall estimated demand to 35,000. 6,500 successful lottery applicants will today (Friday 10^th January) receive their code and will have until 31^st January to claim their entry with a second round of allocations in February.

KBC Dublin Marathon Race Director, Jim Aughney commented: “A key objective from the outset of the Dublin Marathon Board, who are volunteers was to promote marathon running in Ireland and it is great to see such strong interest in this year’s event.”

He added: “We know that there will be many runners disappointed today, but we cannot accommodate all interested individuals as we pride ourselves on delivering a quality event as the health and safety of participants is our primary concern. However, given that we now have an indication of the overall interest levels in participation this will allow us to have meaningful conversations with our many stakeholders around the future and further development of the KBC Dublin Marathon.”

Lottery Entries:

The remaining 6,500 available entries to the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon have this year for the first time been determined by a lottery system. There were 16,100 lottery applications in total.

Key Lottery Dates:

10th January – Round 1: Registrants will learn via email or SMS whether they were successful or unsuccessful.

31st January – Deadline 1: Deadline for successful lottery registrants from round one to redeem their entry.

7th February – Round 2: Any unclaimed places from round one will be re-allocated to lottery registrants.

14th February – Deadline 2: Deadline for successful lottery registrants from round two to redeem their entry.

1st August – Round 3: Any unallocated numbers from refunds to be offered to any unsuccessful lottery applicants.

14th August – Deadline 3: Deadline for successful lottery registrants to redeem their entry.

Lottery Process

All unsuccessful lottery applicants will receive a refund of their €15 after 14^th February. An option to allow 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon entrants to claim a refund will be made available in July. A refund of 70% of the entry fee will be returned once the refund application has been accepted. Any unallocated entries (such as refunded numbers) will be offered to any unsuccessful lottery applicants on 1^st August with offers needing to be redeemed by 15^th August.

Questions? please use this link to FAQ KBC Dublin Marathon Lottery Allocation

Guaranteed Entries

A guaranteed entry to the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon was offered in November 2019 to runners who had participated in any of the 2019, 2018 or 2017 editions of the Dublin Marathon. 16,200 of these previous participants have availed of this offer to secure their 2020 entry. A further 1,300 entries are allocated to Athletics Ireland membership, as the race also serves as the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championships.

Overall Demand Estimated to be 35,000

A significant factor in the move to the lottery system for this year’s race, in addition to the increasing demand experienced in recent years, was to enable the race organisers gauge the total level of interest in participation in the KBC Dublin Marathon allowing them to plan for the future development of the event in consultation with the event’s multiple stakeholders.

The total number of guaranteed entries claimed by previous participants as well as the significant number of applications for the lottery indicate that there are some 35,000 people interested in participating in the KBC Dublin Marathon. This represents phenomenal growth from the 2,100 people that lined up at the start of the very first Dublin Marathon in 1980.

The KBC Dublin Marathon Race organisers, aware of the concern caused by the changes to the entry process to regular participants in the KBC Dublin Marathon, have made the decision to guarantee a race entry for anyone who has participated in one of the last three editions of the KBC Dublin Marathon namely, the 2017, 2018 or 2019 event. Eligible participants will be able to guarantee their place in the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon provided they enter within 72 hours of receiving a unique URL enabling them to do so. The URL will be issued at 12 noon on Friday 1^st November.

The KBC Dublin Marathon Race organisers can confirm that a significant factor in the move to the lottery system for the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon in addition to the increased demand experienced over the last number of years, is to gauge the total level of interest in participation in the Dublin marathon. This is to enable the KBC Dublin Marathon Race organisers to prepare a strategic plan for the future development of the event in consultation with the event’s multiple stakeholders.

Moving to a lottery system will allow the KBC Dublin Marathon Race organisers determine the overall interest levels from the amount of lottery registrations as opposed to the current system where applications cut off as soon as the 22,500 capacity is reached. Based on the experience of recent years the KBC Dublin Marathon organisers expect total interest to exceed capacity and the lottery is seen as a fair way to determine participation where interest exceeds capacity.

A number of places in the KBC Dublin Marathon have also been allocated to the Athletics Ireland membership as the race also serves as the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championships. Application for these places will open on 1^st April 2020 and will be allocated in accordance with the KBC Dublin Marathon Good for Age standards. Applicants must have a valid Athletics Ireland membership to be eligible

The KBC Dublin Marathon Race organisers can confirm that about 18% of participants amounting to approximately 4,000 runners partake in the KBC Dublin Marathon in consecutive years.

Notes

About the KBC Dublin Marathon Race Organisers:

The KBC Dublin Marathon is run by a volunteer board under the auspices of Marathon Events Management DAC, a not for profit company, with any surplus funds generated from the organisation, promotion, development and management of the KBC Dublin Marathon and Race Series reinvested in the following year’s events.

About the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon Lottery:

Entry to the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon lottery will be open from the 1st November to 30th November 2019 ONLY.

Individuals who participated in the 2017, 2018 or 2019 event will be guaranteed an entry in the KBC Dublin Marathon 2020 on provided they enter within 72 hours of receiving the unique URL that will be issued to them at 12 noon on Friday 1^st November

There will be a registration fee of €15 per lottery entry which will be fully refundable if the applicant is not successful and fully redeemable against entry fee if the applicant is successful. Registrants will learn their entry status via SMS and email between 3rd January to 10th January. Successful entrants will have until 31st January 2020 to redeem the offer.

The KBC Dublin Marathon Race organisers will retain details of anyone unsuccessful in the original lottery and any initial places not redeemed by 31st January 2020 will be re-allocated amongst these entrants who were not successful in the first round of the lottery. The applicants will learn their entry status via SMS and email between the 4th February to 7^th February 2020. These offers must be redeemed by 14th February 2020.

A number of places in the KBC Dublin Marathon have also been allocated to the Athletics Ireland membership as the race also serves as the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championships. Application for these places will open on 1^st April 2020 and will be allocated in accordance with the KBC Dublin Marathon Good for Age standards. Applicants must have a valid Athletics Ireland membership to be eligible.

NOTES

• There is a guarantee of a race entry for anyone who has participated in one of the last three editions of the KBC Dublin Marathon namely, the 2017, 2018 or 2019 event, they will get a code starting from 12 noon on 1st November and have 72 hours to enter.
• There will be 22,500 places available for the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon, with a number of these places allocated to Athletics Ireland membership. Athletics Ireland members will qualify under the Good For Age standards and can apply on April 1st and must have a valid Athletics Ireland membership.
• Lottery event open to the public from November 1st to Saturday 30th November at midnight via a public webpage which will be hosted by Eventmaster. This will be the only time period of which an application for entry to the KBC Dublin Marathon can be made.
• Applicants will be obligated to enter all registrant information required to satisfy the 2020 event and will be charged €15 to enter. This fee will be refunded if not successful by the end of August 2020 or will be offset against entry fee if successful.
• KBC Dublin Marathon to select successful lottery applications randomly but in a manner to ensure that the current balance of Irish and overseas runners and runners of all abilities is maintained.
• Eventmaster will issue SMS to be sent to the successful applicants with a direct link to register for the event. Access link will direct the user to their registration page on the 2020 marathon event with the data from the lottery pre-populated – Name, email, gender, DOB, mobile will not be editable, ensuring that only the selected applicant can use that lottery link. Fee of €75 to enter (€90 less €15 already paid) + additional purchases and booking fee (€3) as normal. Successful applicants will have until MIDNIGHT 31st January to use the link. Email reminders will be issued.
• Applicants who have been unsuccessful with will receive an email to inform them.
• Any places not redeemed will be offered via lottery system to those originally unsuccessful from 4th February to 7th February 2020 with offers needing to be redeemed by 14th February.
• Refund option opens from June 2nd to June 15^th, 2020. A refund of 70% of the entry fee will be returned once your application has been accepted. The refund will be available on “Manage My Bookings” from your entry confirmation link. This will be the only opportunity to avail of a refund for 2020.
• Any unallocated numbers to be offered to any unsuccessful lottery applicants on July 1^st -July 7th, 2020 with offers needing to be redeemed by 14th July.
• Refund issued of €15 to those that were unsuccessful

The 40th running of the KBC Dublin Marathon saw Clonliffe Harriers A.C. Stephen Scullion, cross the line to win the National Championship title in 2:12:01, setting a personal best. Placing second overall, Scullion ran the fastest time ever by an Irishman in the Dublin Marathon and moves into holding the fifth fastest time in the Irish All-Time List. The race was won by Morocco’s Othmane El Goumri in a time of 2:08:06, breaking the course record by 27 seconds, in a personal best time. Mengistu Zelalem of Ethiopia placed third with a time of 2:12:05. Reigning national champion Mick Clohissey (Raheny Shamrocks) finished second in the national championship in 2:13:19 with Hugh Armstrong (Ballina A.C) third in 2:14:22.

Ethiopia’s Motu Gedefa crossed the line first in the women’s field in a time of 2:27:48, followed by last year’s winner, Mesera Dubiso (Ethiopia) in 2:28:29 and Debeli Shuke in third (Ethiopia) in 2:29:51. Aoife Cooke of Eagle Athletics Club took the Women’s National Title in a time of 2:32:34, the fastest time for an Irish Woman in Dublin Marathon history, tenth in the Irish All-Time List. Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny A.C.) took sliver in the national race in a personal best time of 2:32:54 with Gladys Ganiel (North Belfast Harriers) third in 2:36:42.

Cooke commented on the achievement; “It is always hard but it’s important in the beginning to be patient and not worry too much about what people are doing. My plan was to go out at 5:50-55/KM pace up to 20KM, so I tried to hold that and not to worry about what Ann-Marie was doing (McGlynn). I think she had a big enough lead on me for a while, but I was confident that if I got to 20KM keeping to that pace I set out with, I would be strong enough to push on from there and that is how it worked out. This is a massive PB by 14 minutes, a time I achieved back in 2017.”

In the Wheelchair Race, now five-time champion, Kildare’s Patrick Monahan finished first in 1:39:50 followed by Callum Hall (England) in 1:48:44 and in third, Tian Bosch (South Africa) in 1:49:58.

Jim Aughney Race Director of the Dublin Marathon said: “The day of the Marathon is always full of excitement, it brings a real buzz to Dublin City as supporters line the course route, cheering on the runners as some challenge each other for the national and international titles, and others take on this challenge of a lifetime. This year we are delighted to have 13 of those inspirational runners that have taken part in every marathon since the very beginning, taking to the streets of Dublin once again, for the 40^th running of the event today, what an incredible achievement. Once again, I would like to thank KBC for their support in getting behind this event as sponsors.”

KBC Dublin Marathon Results 2019 

Male

1. Othmane El Goumri (Morocco) 2:08:06
2. Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers AC) 2:12:01
3. Mengistu Zelalem (Ethiopia) 2:12:05

Female

1. Motu Gedefa (Ethiopia) 2:27:48
2. Mesera Dubiso (Ethiopia) 2:28:29
3. Denbeli Shuke (Ethiopia) 2:29:51

Dublin Marathon Wheelchair Championship Results:
1. Patrick Monaghan (Ireland) 01:39:50

2. Callum Hall (England) 1:48:44
   3. Tiann Bosch (South Africa) 1:49:58

National Championships Results:

Male

1. Stephen Scullion (Clonliffe Harriers AC) 2:12:01
2. Mick Clohissey (Raheny Shamrocks) 2:13:19
3. Hugh Armstrong (Ballina A.C) 2:14:22

Female

1. Aoife Cooke (Eagle A.C.) 2:32:34
2. Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny A.C.) 2:32:54
3. Gladys Ganiel (North Belfast Harriers) 2:36:42

At the start line of the KBC Dublin Marathon, Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul McAuliffe presented the Lord Mayor’s Medal to 13 inspirational runners who have taken part in all 39 Dublin Marathons since the race began in 1979.  Billy Kennedy’s volunteer efforts were also honoured, as the only member of the original organising committee still to be involved, he also received the honour of the Lord Mayor’s medal.

The 13 inspirational runners who have taken part in all 39 Dublin Marathons includes Mary Nolan Hickey (Wicklow), the only woman aiming to run a 40^th consecutive Dublin Marathon. The other runners include Dubliners; John McElhinney, Michael Carolan, Donal de Buitleir, Dominic Gallagher, Martin Kelly, Patrick Gowan and the eldest of the group, Frank Behan who turns seventy-nine next month.  Five other counties are represented; Seamus Cawley (Limerick), Seamus Dunne (Meath), Billy Harpur (Wexford), Peadar Nugent (Galway), Donal Ward (Donegal).

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Paul McAuliffe was honoured to present the medal to the group; “Completing a single marathon is a momentous achievement but completing 39 with the aim of a 40^th in sight is a remarkable testament to human will, determination and a true love of running. The Lord Mayor’s Medal is about honouring individuals who have shown true resilience and these outstanding individuals are excellent accounts of this resilience and determination in their respective journeys to complete the annual 26.2 mile run on 39 separate occasions. We celebrate these worthy winners today on the 40^th anniversary of what is a truly inspirational and exciting day in Dublin.”

The Lord Mayor’s medal is inspired by the efforts of all who partake in the KBC Dublin Marathon each year and is presented to a runner or runners who have either exceeded incredible odds to partake in the 2019 marathon or have an inspiring story, fuelling their marathon journey.

The specially commissioned medal was first presented to 2009 finisher Martin Codyre, who was involved in an accident that left him paralysed and in need of 24-hour care. His brother and friend pushed him around the course to help him complete his marathon goal.