Rules and Regulations

GENERAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

The event is run under IAAF rules.

Once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund outside our refund window if you cannot participate, and you may not give or sell your race number to anyone else.

Unlike many races and events, entrants to the Irish Life Dublin Marathon are offering a refund opportunity in June. Runners who opt for this will be refunded a portion of their initial entry fee, as a €20 charge is incurred to cover the administration of the refund in the marathon and €10 in the half marathon and the process of replacing that entrant. Dublin Marathon Group is a not-for-profit organisation that receives entry fees and funding for event management, administration, and promotion of the Dublin Marathon and Race Series.

You may not transfer your entry to an alternative event outside our transfer window. Runners who opt for the transfer can nominate the person they wish to receive their entry. The system will email them to accept your transfer.

The sale, swapping, or bartering of Marathon/Race Series Entries or numbers is strictly forbidden. If you attempt to sell, swap or barter your Marathon/Race Series entry or Marathon/Race Series number, you may be banned from future Dublin Marathon Group events.

You must be 18 years of age or older to participate in the Marathon.

You must be in good health and physically prepared to take on the challenge of a Marathon.

You must show a photo ID to receive your Marathon race number and timing chip at the Expo.

You must pick up your Marathon race packet and race number in person at the Expo.

To participate in the marathon, you must wear an official Marathon race number on the front of your singlet or shirt.

Irish Life Dublin Marathon Refund

The Irish Life Dublin Marathon refund window will run from Wednesday, July 1st, at 9:00 to Tuesday, July 12th, at 23:59. Entrants will only receive a refund within this period.

Entrants who opt for this will be charged €20 to cover the refund administration. To claim a refund, log into your Eventmaster account and click the clearly marked ‘Refund’ button. You will receive an email to confirm that the refund has been completed. Those who claim a refund are not considered entrants for the 2024 Irish Life Dublin Marathon.

There is no refund option for the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon or any Irish Life Dublin Race Series events.

Resale

Places made available via the refund window will be resold on a first-come-first-served basis starting Wednesday, July 15th at 12 pm. The link will be available on the event website home page. Please note that Good for Age and any places purchased in the resale are non-transferable.

Transfers

The transfer window for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon and Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon will open from Wednesday, July 22nd at 9:00 am. The Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon transfer window will close on Sunday, August 23rd at 23:59 pm, while the transfer window for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon will close later on Wednesday, September 23rd at 23:59 pm. We cannot move the date later than this as it would impact the appropriate event management needed to organise events of this scale.

The Transfer process will be managed via Eventmaster with a €20 fee charged to the person receiving the entry for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon and a €10 fee charged to the person receiving the entry for the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon.

Please note that selling or attempting to swap race numbers outside the transfer window will result in the number being cancelled.

Selling or swapping your race number, or attempting to sell or swap it, will result in the number being cancelled.

Scams

We have become aware of numerous scams promoted on social media. Please note that the only way to transfer a place for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon and Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon is via the official entry system, which Eventmaster manages.

Course

NO UNOFFICIAL VEHICLES, BIKES, IN-LINE SKATES, SKATEBOARDS, BABY JOGGERS, PRAMS (OF ANY DESCRIPTION) WILL BE ALLOWED ON THE COURSE.

  • NO non-competitors (children, partners, etc.) can enter the course or cross the finish line with you. Failure to comply may lead to disqualification.
  • Animals, whether on a lead or not, are not allowed on the course.
  • Personal Trainers, mentors or coaches will not be permitted on the course unless they enter the event and wear an official Marathon Race Number.
  • Competitors must always follow the instructions of Stewards, Race officials or An Garda Siochana.
  • Competitors must start at the official start Line and complete the officially measured course.
  • Competitors must start the event at an officially sanctioned start time only.
  • The competitor is responsible for familiarising themselves with the event rules and any directions as may be published in the ‘Final Instruction Document’ provided with the Marathon Race Pack.
  • Failure to comply with any of the rules may lead to disqualification.
Cancellations

Entry fees are NON-REFUNDABLE outside our refund window, and entries are NON-TRANSFERABLE outside our transfer window.  Once we receive and accept your entry, you will not receive a refund if you cannot participate. You may not give or sell your number to anyone else outside our transfer window. You may not transfer your application to the following year or another Marathon Series event.

Race Etiquette

Whether you’re taking part in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon for the first time or are a seasoned entrant, our guide to race etiquette has everything you need to know for the day, from good manners to your safety.

Before the race

  • Ensure you fill in the details on the back of your race number. Stick the number sticker provided at registration onto the outside of your baggage bag. On race day, pin your race number. At registration, you’ll be provided with pins, but it’s a good idea to bring some of your own, too. Avoid folding or covering your race number – it needs to be seen by the race marshals and finisherpix who want to capture you on the day.
  • Merrion Square North is where the baggage area is located, so leave your bag with the stewards. Make sure you follow their instructions carefully. Don’t give your bag to anyone other than friends, family or the baggage staff. Only the official Irish Life Dublin Marathon baggage bag will be accepted in the baggage area.
  • Try not to bring any valuables with you to the event. If anything goes missing or you see anything suspicious, report it to the nearest race marshal.
  • Listen out for announcements in case race details change, for example, if the start time is delayed. In a large crowd, it’s the only way the race organisers can communicate with you and you don’t want to miss anything important. Be aware if you are using headphones, you will not be able to hear any announcements.
  • Plan your visits to the toilet carefully, as there will likely be queues near the start of the race. Toilets are available in each wave zone.
  • Be aware of others around you as you warm up for the race. If possible, pick an area away from the crowd to stretch.
  • Make sure you’re in the correct starting wave – This is important because it means faster runners aren’t forced to change course to overtake, and slower runners don’t feel they’re constantly being overtaken. If you’re unsure of your expected finish time, keep towards the back of the crowd.

During the race

  • Please dispose of empty Gel wrappers or Cups/Bottles in the bins provided at each water station.
  • Don’t let friends not participating in the race run or cycle alongside you. It can cause problems for the other runners, and you may be accused of having a ‘pacer’, which is banned, and you will be disqualified.
  • If you’re overtaking someone else, leave plenty of room before you move across in front of them.
  • Try to avoid stopping suddenly during the race. For example, if you need to tie your laces, move towards the side of the road and find a safe place to stop first.
  • Be aware of other people at drinks stations, and take your turn if there’s a crowd. Avoid running out in front of others to get your drink, and take only as much as you need.
  • Use the bins for empty water bottles, cups and Gel wrappers – other runners might trip or slip over them if left on the road.
  • If you have to queue for the toilet during a race, avoid queuing in the path of other runners.
  • Listen carefully to any instructions you’re given by the race marshals, and remember to thank them for their help – most marshals are volunteers who have been kind enough to give up their time.

After the race

  • When you cross the finish line, you’ll be directed to an area where the marshals will present you with your well-deserved medal and t-shirt.
  • Remember to collect your baggage bag from Merrion Square North.