Irish Life Dublin Marathon
Dublin, Dublin
25 Oct 2026
⚠ Start times change frequently. Always check with race organiser or their website for this year's confirmed start time before travelling.
Course map
Map based on 2025 route
⚠ This map is for indicative purposes only — routes can change, or be reversed, year to year. Check with the race organiser for this year's confirmed map.
Elevation profile
About this race
The Irish Life Dublin Marathon is a single-lap city loop starting on Leeson Street Lower in central Dublin. The course descends past St Stephen's Green and continues through the historic Liberties, passing St Patrick's Cathedral, before crossing to the north side of the city via the River Liffey. At approximately 6km, runners enter Phoenix Park, passing Dublin Zoo before exiting near Castleknock. The route re-enters the park at Knockmaroon Gate and descends toward Chapelizod and Inchicore. After undulating sections through Dolphin's Barn and a challenging stretch around Clonskeagh, runners face the notorious Heartbreak Hill before a long final descent along Stillorgan Road, Nutley Lane and Merrion Road, finishing at Pepper Canister Church. The course is largely flat with some rolling hills and a handful of testing climbs.
Course profile & record eligibility
World Athletics record-eligibility rules cap net elevation loss at 1m per km of race distance, and require the start and finish to be no more than 50% of the race distance apart — both meant to stop a course gaining an unfair edge from downhill grade or a point-to-point tailwind. This is based on this course's recorded elevation and GPS data, not an official measurement or certification.