Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon

Starting at 9:00am on Sunday September 20th in Phoenix Park, Dublin.

Thank you for joining us for the SOLD OUT 2026 Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon! Get ready for a thrilling finale to the Irish Life Dublin Race Series in the iconic Phoenix Park.

Numbers Posted

Please note, race numbers have now been posted out and should be with you in the coming days. If you don’t receive yours by Tuesday 15th September, please contact our team at office@dublinmarathon.ie

Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon Countdown

Sunday, 20th September, 9:00am

Race Route

The Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon route takes runners through the breathtaking surroundings of Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed public park, offering a memorable 13.1-mile course in the heart of Dublin.

The route starts on the tree-lined Chesterfield Avenue, before taking runners on a loop of the South side of the park, past the Wellington Monument and back onto Chesterfield Avenue, concluding with a fast, spectator-lined finish straight on Furze Road.

Below you can view and download a PDF of the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon route.

Download 2026 Route Map Here

Some Race Day Tips from Emmett Dunleavy
Official Dublin Marathon Group Coach

1. Fuel With What You Know

Focus on familiar carbohydrate-rich foods the day before the race. On race morning, have the same light carbohydrate-based breakfast you’ve practised before your long runs. Stick with what’s familiar.

2. Trust Your Training

The hard work is done by race week. You won’t get fitter in the final days. Focus on reducing your training load, recovering well and saving the big effort for race day.

3. Stay Strong in the Final Miles

Break the remaining distance into small, achievable targets — the next landmark, the next hydration station or the next mile marker. Remind yourself of the training you’ve already put in.

The 2026 Finisher Medal

Celebrating 13.1 Miles Through Phoenix Park, Where Every Runner Arrives With a Reason

2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Information

Your race number was posted out to you on Monday 7th September.
If you do not have it by Tuesday 15th September, please contact office@dublinmarathon.ie and we will arrange a replacement number for you.

Please arrive on race day wearing your race number, securely attached to the front of your top.
All race numbers have been posted in advance and race number collection is not available on race day.
Please ensure you are wearing your own allocated race number. Race numbers must not be swapped or given to another participant.
Race numbers have been allocated in separate number ranges for female and male participants to help race officials identify unauthorised number swapping. Anyone who is found running with another participant’s race number will be disqualified and removed from the official results.
Your timing chip is attached to the back of your race number. Do not remove or tamper with the chip, as it records your official finish time.
Attach your race number securely using safety pins. A supply of safety pins will also be available on race morning at the baggage drop area.

With thousands of runners taking part, please allow plenty of time on race morning to travel and make your way to the start area. Arriving early will help you enjoy a relaxed, stress-free start to race day.
There is no parking available in Phoenix Park. Shuttle buses will be in operation for participants.
Shuttle buses will depart from Parkgate Street, close to Frank Sherwin Bridge, from 7:30am to 8:30am. After the race, buses will operate from the Phoenix Monument back to Parkgate Street.
If you’re within cycling distance, we encourage you to travel by bike. A bike park will be available close to the start area.

The baggage area will be located on Furze Road, close to the Chesterfield Avenue junction, and will be open from 7:30am.
If you plan to use the baggage facility, detach the baggage label from the bottom of your race number and securely attach it to your bag before arriving at the baggage area.
All bags are left at the owner’s risk, so we recommend that you do not leave valuables in your bag.

The race starts at 9:00am in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, with the start area clearly signposted. Please make your way to the appropriate start wave based on your expected finish time before the 9:00am start.

Starting on Chesterfield Avenue, the race will leave the Phoenix Park via the Castleknock Gate and pass through Castleknock. The course returns to the Park via White Gate and then follows a scenic loop through the Phoenix Park before a U-turn at Castleknock Gate. Runners then return via Chesterfield Avenue and Ordnance Survey Road, with a final turn onto Furze Road for the finish.

The Official Pace Team will be provided by Official Pace Team Partner Sports Direct.

Wave 1: 1:30, 1:40 and 1:50

Wave 2: 2:00, 2:10 and 2:20

Wave 3: 2:30, 2:40 and 2:50

As you enter the start area, look out for our pacers holding large balloons displaying their target finish times.

Toilets will be available near the start area.

Hydration stations will be located at miles 2.5, 5.5, 7.5 and 11.5.
Medical stations will be located at mile 9 and at the finish area.

Friends and family can follow your progress using the official race tracker HERE.

A few simple things can help make it an enjoyable experience for everyone:

Look after Phoenix Park. Please carry gel and nutrition wrappers with you until you reach the bins provided at hydration stations.
Look out for your fellow runners. Be aware of those around you, particularly when changing pace or direction.
Support our stewards and volunteers. They’re there to help everyone have a safe and enjoyable race. Please follow their directions throughout the event.
Keep the finish area safe. Please do not bring children onto the course or under the finish gantry.

Once you cross the finish line, you’ll receive your Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon finisher medal and goody bag, including an official souvenir race T-shirt, Lucozade Sport, water and a Grenade protein bar.

Prizes for the top three individual women and men will be presented at the finish line. All other prizes, including master prizes, will be posted out a few days after the event.