The Dublin Marathon was first held in 1980 and has since grown dramatically in popularity and global prestige. Because of this, it is today seen as one of Ireland's biggest annual sporting events with over 22,000 runners taking to the streets of the Republic of Ireland's Capital.
Known as the "Friendly Marathon," it winds through Dublin’s historic streets and picturesque parks, offering a mix of flat and challenging sections. Held annually on the last Sunday in October, the race sees elite athletes, charity runners, and first-time marathoners take on the 26.2-mile journey, cheered on by enthusiastic spectators lining the route. Its crowds are famous around the world.
In this article, we will take a closer look at everything you need to know about running the Dublin marathon and also give you some tips and tricks to ensure you nail race day.
The 2025 Irish Life Dublin Marathon will take place on Sunday, October 26th.
During the month of October, the weather in Ireland can be a bit unpredictable. However, the average temperature for the race is said to be between 12-14°C. These are perfect temperatures for longer-distance running, such as marathons.
The official start time of the 2025 Dublin Marathon is 8:45 am.
However, the marathon will have four different wave start times, which are based on projected marathon times. The times for each wave will be as follows;
Wave 1 - 8:45am
Wave 2 - 9:05am
Wave 3 - 9:25am
Wave 4 - 9:45am
One of the most important parts of any marathon is, of course, its course and its route. This is because the route and the course conditions will significantly impact how easy or how challenging a course truly is.
In the next section of this article, we will take a closer look at the Dublin Marathon course, its elevation, its key landmarks and much more. This will allow you to become familiar with the course you will be running in October.
The Dublin Marathon is a ‘mostly’ flat course. However, at mile 21, there is one long and tough uphill which is quickly followed by the famous ‘Heartbreak Hill’. These inclines, so late on in the race, can prove tough. But once you are past them, you know you are on the last stretch.
The overall elevation gain for the Dublin Marathon is around 208 meters and is therefore reasonably flat and fast. This means that it can be a great event for first-time marathon runners and runners looking to achieve their personal bests.
The Dublin Marathon takes runners past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. Starting at Fitzwilliam Square, they quickly pass St. Stephen’s Green (Mile 1/Km 1.6) and cross the River Liffey (Mile 2/Km 3.2). Soon after, they run by the historic Christchurch Cathedral and the famous Guinness Storehouse (Mile 3/Km 4.8), where the scent of brewing hops fills the air.
Through miles 4-8 (Km 6.4-12.8), runners enjoy the vast Phoenix Park, passing the Wellington Monument and Áras an Uachtaráin. At Mile 10 (Km 16), they reach Kilmainham Gaol, a landmark rich in Irish history. In the final stretch, they pass University College Dublin (Mile 20/Km 32) before finishing at Merrion Square (Mile 26/Km 41.6), where cheering crowds create an electric atmosphere.
During the Dublin Marathon, there are typically 4 different types of running stations that are dotted several times around the course. These 7 stations are:
Water Stations: Mile 2, Mile 5, Mile 7, Mile 9, Mile 11, Mile 13, Mile 16, Mile 19, Mile 21, Mile 24
Lucozade Sport Drink Stations: Mile 9, Mile 13, Mile 19, Mile 22
High 5 Gel Stations: Mile 16, Mile 21
Toilet Stations: Mile 2, Mile 5, Mile 7, Mile 9, Mile 11, Mile 13, Mile 16, Mile 19, Mile 21, Mile 24
First Aid Stations: Mile 5, Mile 7, Mile 9, Mile 11, Mile 13, Mile 16, Mile 19, Mile 21, Mile 23, Mile 24
Here at realbuzz, we have been helping runners enter the Dublin Marathon through our charity places since 2022. Because of this, we have enlisted our runners to help us put together three different tips and tricks to help ensure you ace race day.
The Irish weather is notoriously hard to predict. In fact, the only predictable thing about the Irish weather is its unpredictability. This means that despite weather forecasts, you can never be 100% sure how the weather will be on race day.
It is therefore extremely important to make sure you have a range of clothing options for different weathers and then check the weather when you wake up on race day. This will help to ensure that you are covered no matter whether it is warm, windy, cold, wet, or any other weather conditions.
As with every marathon and every running race, it can be very tempting to go out the blocks quickly. After all, the first 5-10k of the race should feel pretty amazing if you have trained properly. However, it is super important to make sure that you avoid this.
As we touched on earlier, the Dublin Marathon course is very fast and is mostly flat. However, between miles 21 and 23 there are inclines that can be a real challenge if you have started the race too quickly. We would recommend ensuring that you save up enough energy to push through those inclines deep into the race and then ‘empty the tank’ in the last 3 miles. The crowd at the Dublin Marathon is famous around the world and the race carries the hashtag the #powerofsupport so use the momentum from these amazing spectators to help you conquer the course.
Proper fueling is crucial for running a strong Dublin Marathon, as it helps maintain energy levels and prevents hitting the dreaded "wall." Runners should start the race well-fueled with a carb-rich breakfast about 2-3 hours before the start. During the marathon, consuming energy gels, chews, or sports drinks is essential to replenish glycogen stores and stay hydrated.
The best strategy is to fuel consistently throughout the race. Most runners take their first gel around Mile 5 (Km 8) and continue every 30-45 minutes to avoid fatigue. Water and electrolyte drinks are available at aid stations every few miles, so it's important to sip fluids regularly, especially after taking a gel. Proper fueling ensures runners stay strong and finish the marathon feeling their best.
Are you looking to run the 2025 Dublin Marathon for an incredible charitable cause and make your 26.2 miles mean more?
Here at realbuzz, we offer guaranteed entry into the world’s biggest running events in exchange for you raising money for incredible charity causes. So, if you are looking to run the Dublin Marathon and fundraise for a cause close to your heart, we can help! Plus, all runners get a complimentary invite to our exclusive Charity Champions Finisher Party as part of your race entry in celebration of the amazing impact you’ll make for your chosen cause.
Apply To Run The 2025 Dublin Marathon