Course Map
Elevation Profile
Indicative — verified figures shown above.
About this Race
The Irish Life Dublin Marathon is Ireland's largest and most celebrated road race, winding through the heart of the Irish capital each October Bank Holiday Sunday. The loop course starts and finishes at Merrion Square, passing through some of Dublin's most distinctive neighbourhoods including Rathmines, Terenure, Crumlin, and the Phoenix Park before returning through the city centre. Known for its warm and enthusiastic crowd support, Dublin has a well-earned reputation as one of the friendliest marathons in Europe. The race has grown from 2,100 runners at its inaugural 1980 edition to over 25,000 today, with a strong international contingent drawn by the city's appeal as a destination. The course is undulating with some testing hills but remains accessible for first-time marathoners.
Difficulty Breakdown
A balanced marathon with no single defining challenge.
Course Details
- Course type
- Loop
- Elevation gain
- 168m
- Elevation loss
- 170m
- Highest point
- 88m
- Lowest point
- 12m
- Net drop
- 0m
- Certified
- AIMS / World Athletics
- Start
- Fitzwilliam Street Upper
- Finish
- Merrion Square
- Cutoff time
- 7h 0m
Course Records
Race History
The Dublin Marathon was founded in 1980, the same year as the New York City Marathon boom. The inaugural race attracted 2,100 runners and has grown continuously ever since.