The 2027 Dublin Marathon takes place on 24 October. Use the announced entry dates now, and wait for the final 2027 route before planning detailed splits or spectator movements.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
Where to pay attention
Keep effort in reserve for the final 10 km
The 2026 reference includes the late Clonskeagh and Roebuck climb. Prepare for changing effort now, then check the final 2027 route before setting detailed splits.
The course, section by section
The terrain, the landmarks and what to do with them. Pacing cues are TRJ suggestions for the published route.
Section 01
Keep the early changes in perspective
Leeson Street · The Liberties
The 2026 reference begins downhill, then has an early climb and descent.
How to approach it Keep the opening effort comfortable rather than trying to bank time on the first downhill.
Section 02
Find rhythm around the park
Phoenix Park · Castleknock · Chapelizod
The reference route mixes park roads with a climb and a descending exit.
How to approach it Let the gradient alter the split while you keep the effort manageable.
Section 03
Save something for the late climb
Clonskeagh · Roebuck Road
The previous edition includes a prolonged late climb towards the 35 km area.
How to approach it Keep some effort in reserve; the final 10 km is not a level sprint.
Section 04
Run through the finish
Merrion Road · Pepper Canister Church
These are reference-edition finish landmarks.
How to approach it Use the final 2027 course to decide when to push. Confirm the actual exit before arranging your reunion.
Official maps & course details
Use the final 2027 course when it is published. Earlier-edition maps, station lists and wave times are not confirmed arrangements for this race.
The final 2027 route and detailed runner guide are not confirmed here. The 2026 map belongs to the 2026 edition.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Use the announced entry dates to plan your application before fixing travel.
Start patiently and let the opening descent feel easy rather than fast.
Keep a practised fuel routine through the quieter sections.
Leave effort for the late climbing shown on the reference route.
Confirm the 2027 finish exit before agreeing where to meet supporters.
A PB or time goal
Set the target from current fitness, then fit it to the final 2027 course.
Allow different splits for climbs and descents; avoid spending extra effort to make every kilometre identical.
Review your condition before the late climbing, rather than deciding the race is won at halfway.
Use official distance markers when the watch pace jumps.
Make the final acceleration gradual and conditional on how you are actually running.
If the weather or your pace changes
Adjust effort and clothing to the weather and follow the final runner instructions.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
Station positions and products are not yet confirmed in the available information for this edition. Use the organiser’s final runner guide before deciding what you can collect on the course.
Toilet locations: a confirmed location list is not available here. Check the official course or runner map before race day; a drinks table does not automatically mean there is a toilet beside it.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
Your allocated start-wave time is not listed here. Use your entry email and final runner instructions for the time and assembly deadline.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Agree a meeting point after the final 2027 pedestrian and finish access arrangements are published.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
A meeting point after the finish
Choose a public meeting point when the 2027 finish and pedestrian access are confirmed.
2027
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
The public ballot opens at 09:00 on 12 November 2026 and closes at midnight on 17 November. Ballot applications are not guaranteed entries.
What you need to enter
Check the organiser’s current age, eligibility and documentation rules before booking. These requirements have not yet been confirmed for this edition.
Read the entry rules- Entry fee
- €130 plus platform and payment processing fees.
- Ballot fee
- €4 plus fees. The €4 is refunded if unsuccessful or credited towards entry if successful; platform and processing fees are separate.
- Ballot results
- Results are scheduled for 25 November 2026, with successful applicants due to pay by midnight on 30 November.
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
Build a repeatable week
Progress your easy running and long run from your current base, leaving time for recovery.
Rehearse your routine
Practise your breakfast, shoes, drinks and race fuel in training before the final weeks.
One thing to rehearse
Practise your breakfast, kit, drinks and race fuel in training. Keep enough recovery around longer runs.
From one runner to another
Run this race? Pass it on.
Share the stretch that surprised you, a useful toilet stop, what worked for fuel or a tip you wish you had known. Tell us which year you ran.
Tips are personal experiences and are checked before publication. Use the organiser’s current guide for facilities, access and safety instructions.
No runner tips published here yet. Your experience could help the next person on the start line.
New tips are currently closed for this guide.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Read the guideArrive ready, not worn out
Understand what changes in the final weeks before a marathon.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.