The Dublin Marathon was initiated by a group of running enthusiasts led by the middle distance runner Noel Carroll. In 1980, the group approached the Business Houses Athletic Association (BHAA) with the idea of organizing a marathon in Dublin and secured its support. The inaugural Dublin Marathon took place on October 27, 1980, with 2,100 entrants and 1,420 finishers.
For 25 years, the Dublin Marathon was held on the last Monday of October, which is a public holiday in Ireland. However, starting in 2016, it was moved to the preceding Sunday to attract more international runners.
Since 2001, the Dublin Marathon has been part of the Dublin Race Series, which includes several pre-marathon races, such as the Fingal 10K race in Swords, the Frank Duffy 10 Mile race in the Phoenix Park, and the Dublin Half Marathon in the Phoenix Park.
The marathon course runs through Dublin’s most recognizable streets, neighborhoods, and landmarks, starting on Leeson Street near Fitzwilliam Square and finishing at Saint Stephen’s Church. While the route may vary slightly from year to year, it has largely remained the same in recent years with only minor changes. The race is open to runners, joggers, and walkers, and the course is open for seven hours on race day.
There are three main ways to participate in the Dublin Marathon: through the ballot system, the Good for Age program, or by running for charity. The ballot system is a lottery-style process used to allocate spots when demand exceeds availability. Participants are not chosen at random; the system is designed to strike a fair balance between newcomers and previous participants, as well as increase female representation. All applicants pay an administration fee, which is non-refundable if the applicant is unsuccessful and redeemable against the entry fee if the applicant is selected.
The Good for Age program is a qualifying program for runners who have achieved a qualifying marathon time for their age category within the last two years. They are guaranteed a spot as long as their results are verified. Runners can also participate by fundraising for one of the marathon’s official charities. Additionally, a number of entries are reserved for elite athletes, community programs, and sponsors. Entries are non-refundable outside the official refund window and non-transferable.
Photo: irishlifedublinmarathon.ie
