Dublin Marathon 2024: Start times, race route, traffic info, road closures and weather latest

The Dublin City Marathon returns to the streets of the Irish capital this bank holiday weekend with 22,500 people set to take part in the annual event.

Runners, walkers and joggers from around the world, as well as from the four corners of Ireland, will set out on the classic 26.2 mile challenge this Sunday (October 27).

While at the top of the field, elite athletes and top national runners battle it out for placings and national titles, the achievement and joy for the majority is simply completing the gruelling marathon.

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Known as the ‘friendly marathon,’ the event is heralded as one of the best in Europe, given the incredible support from the thousands of volunteers who make the event possible and the spectators who line the streets of Dublin City in support.

If you have signed up to take part, or just plan on heading along to cheers on the participants, we have all the info you need ahead of race day.

Start schedule

The Irish Life Dublin Marathon will start on Leeson Street Lower and finish on Mount Street Upper, remaining within the Dublin 2 area and ensuring the route will run through the city centre streets.

Participants should arrive no later than 8am via one of the time Zones and those taking part should arrive prepared to run as changing facilities are not provided.

Participants must wear their official race number on the front and failure to do so could result in you being stopped on the route.

Your race number is coloured according to your time zone and you must line up in that assigned time zone in time.

• Orange numbers: entry via Merrion Square East, Fitzwilliam Street Lower
• Green numbers: entry via Merrion Square East, Fitzwilliam St Lower, Baggot Street Lower
• Blue numbers: entry via Mount Street Lower,Warrington Place, Herbert Place, Baggot St Lower
• Purple numbers: entry via Mount Street Lower, Herbert Place, Baggot Street Lower

• Start time for Orange Bibs: 8:45am
• Start time for Green Bibs: 9:05am
• Start time for Blue Bibs: 9:25am
• Start time for Purple Bibs: 9:45am

Runners are warned to not start before the official time or you could be removed from the course.

Finish line

The finish area is in Merrion Street Upper, past the Peppercanister Church. Participants are asked to ensure their race number is visible to photographers when crossing the line.

It is important that you pass quickly through the finish zone to avoid impeding other finishers.

When you cross the finish line proceed to the medal and goody bag areas. Each competitor will receive a finisher’s Commemorative Medallion, T-Shirt and a Goody Bag. Care should be taken of these – if mislaid or lost, they cannot be replaced.

For safety and security reasons, the marathon operates a one-way system beyond the finish line and participants are asked to obey all instructions from the Volunteers – they are there to help you and your fellow competitors.

First Aid facilities will be available beyond the finish zone.

When you have collected your medal and baggage, do not double back towards the finish line.

Number collection and expo

Participants can collect their race number at the Irish Life Dublin Marathon Expo in the Main Hall of the RDS Dublin 4, which open from 12 to 7pm on Friday and 9 to 6pm Saturday.

Participants should note that peak times are 12 to 2pm on Friday and 2 to 4pm on Saturday so it is advised to use some other time-slot to avoid delays. Also be aware that 6pm is the cut-off time for number collection on Saturday.

On the back of your race number you will find a transponder which must be left in place on the back of the race number. Any other placement of the chip will jeopardise the timekeeping function of the device.

Do not remove the chip as no chip means no time. If for some reason your chip is missing you can contact the help desk at registration for a replacement unit.

Race results

Race progress and results will be available from www.tdleventservices.co.uk while race results and finish certificates will also be available on www.IrishLifeDublinMarathon.ie

The course is marked in miles and every 5K and timing clocks will be provided periodically.

Chip timing mats will be located at a number of points along the route, including the start, 10K, half-way, 30K, 40K and at the finish.Competitors must pass over the mats at all locations to ensure their times are recorded.

Baggage areas

The four Baggage Areas are located in Merrion Square North. Participants are being advised to allow time to walk to the start zones. It is about 15 minutes for Green and Blue numbers and 20 minutes for Purple numbers.

Orange baggage area - Open from 7.15 to 8am

Green baggage area - Open from 7.35 to 8.20am

Blue baggage area - Open from 7.55 to 8.40am

Purple baggage area - Open from 8.05 to 9am

Toilets

For the start of the race, the majority of toilets will be located in each of the wave zones. A smaller number will also be located in the Start/Finish area adjacent to the Baggage Area.

On the course, toilets are will be provided adjacent to the feed stations at approx. 3, 5, 7, 9½, 11½, 13, 16, 19, 21 and 24 miles.

Dublin Marathon route and map

The marathon begins at Fitzwilliam Street Upper and moves towards St Stephen’s Green. Runners will travel to Usher Quay, over the James Joyce Bridge and through Stoneybatter before reaching the Phoenix Park.

After going through Phoenix Park, the race will then pass through Chapelizod, Inchicore, Dolphin’s Barn, Crumlin, Terenure, Bushy Park and around University College Dublin campus, onto Stillorgan Road, and on towards Merrion Road, Northumberland Road, finishing at Mount Street Upper.

Road closures

Several road closures will be in place due to the marathon and participants and advised to allow time to travel on Sunday as there may be some delays to public transport services to facilitate the event.

The Route Closures are below:

The Start/Finish Road closures are below:

Public transport

Dart:

Due to a series of major rail works taking place between Clontarf Road and Howth / Dundalk over the weekend, please note that both for race number collection on Saturday and marathon day Sunday:

• No DART services will operate between Connolly and Howth / Malahide. DART services are operating between Connolly and Bray / Greystones only, with an additional DART at 07.05hrs from Greystones to Dublin Connolly, serving all stations en route.
• No Northern Commuter services will operate between Dundalk / Drogheda and Dublin Connolly.
• An additional Maynooth Commuter service will operate at 07.05hrs, serving all stations to Dublin Pearse.

Dublin Bus:

As a result of the marathon there will be a number of diversions to Dublin Bus services in place on Saturday until 6pm on Monday. Click here for details on all diversions during the weekend.

Weather

According to Met Eireann, current model indications forecast mostly cloudy conditions with outbreaks of rain and highest temperatures of 13 to 15 degrees.

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