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Oct 24, 2027
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The Irish Life Dublin Marathon is a city-centre marathon held on a Sunday in late October. It starts on Leeson Street Lower and finishes on Mount Street Upper, after a single loop of the city. The organisers describe a route that combines flat sections with challenging climbs. After a downhill start through St Stephen's Green, runners pass through the Liberties and by St Patrick's Cathedral, climb Patrick Street towards Christchurch and cross the River Liffey to the northside. At about 6 km they enter Phoenix Park, past Dublin Zoo and along Chesterfield Avenue, loop out via Castleknock and return through Knockmaroon Gate to Chapelizod and Inchicore. The final 10 km include a downhill on Dartry Road, an incline on Milltown Road and a 3 km climb along Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads. Around the 35 km mark comes the climb the organisers call Irish Heartbreak Hill, before a downhill on Fosters Avenue and the run in along Merrion Road and Northumberland Road. The first race was held in 1980, the 2026 edition was the 45th and the 2027 race will be the 46th. Capacity for 2027 is 22,500 runners, with 17,200 places allocated through a public ballot.
Typical climate for the race month — an estimate, not a forecast or a race-day record
Late October in Dublin is cool and damp: highs average about 14°C and lows about 7°C, with rain of 1 mm or more on around 12 days of the month.
The Race
Dublin
The Dublin Marathon began in 1980 mainly through the vision of Noel Carroll, who persuaded the Business Houses Athletic Association to take on his idea. The first race had 2,100 entries and 1,420 finishers. Dick Hooper won in 2:16:14.
In 2023, Ethiopia's Kemal Husen won in 2:06:52, taking one minute and 14 seconds off the previous men's course record set by Othmane El Goumri in 2019. In 2024, Ethiopia's Asmarech Nega set the women's course record of 2:24:13, and in 2026 Zenebu Fikdau Jebesa won in 2:24:26, 13 seconds outside it.
The organisers use the name Irish Heartbreak Hill for the climb around the 35 km mark. It follows a 3 km climb along Clonskeagh and Roebuck Roads, and the organisers call it the most formidable challenge on the course, before a downhill along Fosters Avenue.
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02:06:52
Kemal Husen (2023)
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