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Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2026

  • IE Dublin
  • 25 October 2026
  • Marathon
Irish Life Dublin Marathon 2026
Why run it?

With its iconic route past Dublin’s most famous landmarks, a relatively flat course and optimum running temperatures, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon is unmissable. Known as the friendliest marathon, thousands of spectators take to the streets to cheer you on and show the power of support. It's the only marathon to traverse Dublin city centre - join over 22,000 runners in 2025 and make your miles mean more. 

Plus, all runners get an exclusive and complimentary invite to our Charity Champions Finisher party, immediately after the race. Beat the ballot and make the miles mean more in 2026. 

What's it like to run?

Runners:
22000
Surface:
Road
Start:
08:45
Course:
Flat, single lap
Temp:
10-14°C
Distance:
Marathon

How to Enter

Our events are sell-out races, so places are limited and will be made available on a first come first serve basis.
Don’t miss out, enter today in three simple steps:
Step 1
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You can reserve an individual entry straight away

by choosing your charity and paying a refundable holding deposit 
Step 2
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Or you can apply to join a charity’s team

it’s free to apply and your charity will get in touch to let you know if you’ve been accepted.
Step 3
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Next stop, fundraising!

Either way, once your place is confirmed, it’s time to start fundraising. We’ll drop your next steps into your inbox. 

Charity partners you can support in this event include

The Gurkha Welfare Trust
The Gurkha Welfare Trust
The leading Gurkha charity. we provide aid to Gurkha veterans, their families and communities.
Open Door Charity
Open Door Charity
Offering free, fast, and effective mental health support to help young people and adults thrive.
Better Lives Foundation
Better Lives Foundation
Over 40 years experience working to improve health and education conditions in Sierra Leone.
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation
Accelerating the development of next generation myeloma treatments to extend patient’s lives.
Live Unlimited
Live Unlimited
Providing opportunities and support to looked-after children and young care leavers in Barnet.
Restless Development
Restless Development
Supporting the journey of a young person to become a leader and to multiply that leadership in their communities.
Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland
Crohn’s and Colitis Ireland
Ireland’s leading charity in the battle against Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
The Myton Hospices
The Myton Hospices
We believe every single moment matters and we focus on enhancing life when cure is no longer an option.
Pencils of Promise
Pencils of Promise
We bring quality education to kids around the world
Herren Project
Herren Project
The Herren Project exists to help others navigate the road to recovery from addiction.

Rated 4.8

Irish Life Dublin Marathon reviews
Write a review
""Running with realbuzz was such an easy and enjoyable process and I loved supporting my charity. I’ve already signed up for more races and can’t wait for my next one!""
Ethan Smith
""My first time running a marathon was going to be a monumental challenge regardless but I found the whole process with realbuzz really helped and I made it to the finish line and through my fundraising goals!""
Lucy O'Connor
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FAQs

Whether you’re lacing up for your first race or returning for another year, we want you to feel prepared and inspired. Here you’ll find everything you need to know about signing up, fundraising, and making an impact.
  • Running for charity means taking part in an official race while committing to raise money to a set level (fundraising target) for a chosen cause. Because you're committed to fundraising, you can get guaranteed entry subject to completing a certain amount of fundraising, even if your chosen event is sold out for general entry, plus expert fundraising support to help you reach your target.
  • It's simple. Choose your distance, pick your event and select the charity you'd like to support. Once you've secured your place - either by signing up for an individual entry straight away or applying for a team if your charity has an official team in your chosen event - you'll receive everything you need to prepare, fundraise, and take on race day with confidence.

  • Not at all! Charity runs are open to all abilities, from complete beginners to seasoned marathoners. Whether you’re aiming for your first 10K or a major marathon, we’ll provide training tips and fundraising advice to help you succeed. With realbuzz, you can choose from marathons, half marathons, shorter distances such as 10ks and 10 miles, and team relay races.  
  • There will be a fundraising target, based on the event you choose, which you'll need to commit to as part of securing your place. When you sign up, you'll receive info about your chosen charity's preferred fundraising platform so you can set up your fundraising page. 100% of your fundraising goes to your charity, usually directly through the fundraising platform you're using. 
Deposit
Fundraising Target