Irish Life Dublin Marathon

General entry is through a ballot that typically opens and closes in November the year before. If you miss the ballot, charity places are available year-round through realbuzz partner organisations. Runners who meet Good for Age standards and elite athletes have guaranteed entry options.

Yes, the Dublin Marathon is a Boston qualifier. The course is certified for qualifying purposes, so a time run here is eligible for submission to the Boston Athletic Association.

The time limit is 7 hours. Course support, including aid stations, is maintained for the duration.

The course is rolling with around 683 feet of total elevation gain distributed across the full route. There is no significant net downhill, so expect to work for your pace throughout rather than banking on a fast second half.

Late October in Dublin is cool autumn weather, with average highs around 55°F (13°C) and lows around 44°F (7°C). Light south-westerly winds are typical. These are generally good conditions for marathon running.

Recent editions have seen just under 18,000 finishers, making it one of the larger marathons in Europe. The course runs through the city centre and suburbs, so crowd support is consistent for most of the route.

The Dublin Marathon is not USATF certified, as it is an Irish race run under Athletics Ireland and AIMS standards. It is, however, recognised as a valid Boston qualifier.