The 2026 Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, 20 September in Phoenix Park, marking a highly anticipated finish to the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Series.
The sold-out event will bring more than 8,000 runners together for 13.1 miles through the iconic setting of Phoenix Park.
A long-standing fixture in the Dublin Marathon build-up, the race has been staged in the Phoenix Park since 2002 and has become a defining September test for runners of all abilities. For some, it completes the Irish Life Dublin Race Series; for others, it is a key step towards October’s Irish Life Dublin Marathon; and for many, the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon is the goal in it’s own right.
From start times and transport to hydration, runner support and race-day reminders, here is everything runners and supporters need to know ahead of race day.
Further information is also available on the official Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon race page below.
https://irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/irish-life-dublin-half-marathon/
Start
The race starts at 9.00am on Chesterfield Avenue in Phoenix Park, with the start area clearly signposted.
With more than 8,000 runners taking part, participants are encouraged to arrive in plenty of time and follow the directions of event staff and volunteers when entering their allocated start areas.
Route
Starting on Chesterfield Avenue, the race will leave Phoenix Park via the Castleknock Gate and pass through Castleknock.
The course returns to the Park via White Gate and then follows a scenic loop through Phoenix Park before a U-turn at Castleknock Gate. Runners then return via Chesterfield Avenue and Ordnance Survey Road, with a final turn onto Furze Road for the finish.
The official route map is available to download through the Irish Life Dublin Marathon website below.
https://irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/IL_DRS26_DHM_MAP_Updated-1.pdf
Cut-Off Time
The official cut-off is 3 hours 15 minutes from the start, ensuring runners have sufficient time to complete the course.
Elite Field Set to Lead the Race
Alongside the mass participation field of first-time, club and recreational runners, a competitive elite race will take place, with strong domestic athletes expected to contest both the men’s and women’s titles.
The Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon will also host the 2026 Dublin Athletics Half Marathon Road Championships, adding an additional competitive edge to the race for local athletes.
Further information on the championships is available through Dublin Athletics.
Runner Support
Dublin Marathon Group is committed to supporting runners throughout their training and on race day itself.
Following the previous Irish Life Dublin Race Series events, Official Pacing Team Partner Sports Direct will once again provide pacers, helping runners across the field achieve their individual goals.
Pacers will be available for the following finish times:
Wave 1: 1:30, 1:40 and 1:50
Wave 2: 2:00, 2:10 and 2:20
Wave 3: 2:30, 2:40 and 2:50
In the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon, every runner arrives with a reason and an individual goal. Whatever that goal may be, Official Dublin Marathon Group Coach Emmett Dunleavy has continued to support runners with race-day advice and training tips throughout the Irish Life Dublin Race Series.
Runners can catch up on Emmett’s latest advice through the official Dublin Marathon social channels.
https://www.instagram.com/dublinmarathon/
Getting to Phoenix Park
There will be no parking available in Phoenix Park for the event, and runners are strongly encouraged to plan their journey in advance.
Shuttle buses will operate on race morning from Parkgate Street, close to Frank Sherwin Bridge, between 7.30am and 8.30am. Following the race, buses will operate from the Phoenix Monument to return runners to Parkgate Street.
Runners within cycling distance are encouraged to travel by bike, with a dedicated bike park located near the start area.
Where possible, participants are encouraged to use public transport, the event shuttle service, walk or cycle to the event, helping to reduce the impact of race day on Phoenix Park and the surrounding area.
With thousands of runners travelling to the event, please allow plenty of time to reach the Park and make your way to the start.
Baggage Drop
The baggage drop will be located on Furze Road, near the junction with Chesterfield Avenue, and will open from 7.30am.
Course Amenities
Hydration stations will be located at 2.5, 5.5, 7.5 and 11.5 miles.
Each station will provide water from Official Water Supplier Ishka and, stations at miles 7.5 and 10.5 will provide Lucozade Sport from Official Sports Drink Partner Lucozade Sport.
Medical stations will be located at mile 9 and at the finish area, while toilets will be available near the start area.
Help Us Keep Phoenix Park Clean
Phoenix Park has been home to the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon for more than two decades, and runners are asked to play their part in helping us look after this unique setting.
Bins will be provided at hydration stations along the route. Please dispose of gels, energy product wrappers and other waste in the bins provided. If there is no bin immediately available, runners are asked to carry their wrappers until they reach the next one or over the finish line.
Small actions across a field of more than 8,000 runners can make a big difference, and we thank everyone for helping us leave the Park as we found it.
Race Day Reminders
With more than 8,000 people taking part, everyone can play a part in making race day safe and enjoyable for fellow runners, volunteers and other users of Phoenix Park.
Please follow the guidance of race marshals and volunteers throughout the event, particularly around the start, hydration stations and finish area.
Runners are also asked to be mindful of those around them. Where possible, avoid stopping suddenly on the course and keep moving through busy hydration and finish areas.
Hundreds of volunteers give their time to help make the event possible, and we ask all participants to treat volunteers, officials and fellow runners with respect throughout race day.
Participants are also reminded to respect Phoenix Park, its wildlife and other Park users throughout the event.
Finish-Line Safety
We know crossing the finish line is a special moment and that many runners will have family and friends waiting to celebrate with them.
However, for the safety of children, runners and our finish-line team, participants are asked not to bring children, family members or friends onto the course or across the finish line with them.
With thousands of runners moving through the finish area, keeping the course clear is essential to ensuring everyone can finish safely.
There will be plenty of opportunities for runners to reunite with family and friends and celebrate together once they have reached the finish area.
Race Tracker
Spectators can follow the progress of runners throughout the event using the official Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon race tracker below.
https://track.rtrt.me/e/TDL-DUBLINHALF-2026#/dashboard
2026 Finisher Medal
The 2026 Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon finisher medal celebrates the iconic setting that has been home to the event for more than two decades: Phoenix Park.
The design brings together two of the Park’s most recognisable features, the Wellington Monument and a pair of deer.
Together, they create an instant connection to the place where thousands will take on the 13.1-mile challenge, recognising the long-standing relationship between the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon, its runners and Phoenix Park.
Read more about the 2026 finisher medal below.
Partner Support
Title Sponsor Irish Life continues to support the race day experience. Between the start and finish area on Furze Road, an Irish Life Zone will engage with runners, offering physiotherapy treatment, health & wellbeing advice, and more.
As at previous Irish Life Dublin Race Series events, Irish Life will provide milestone finisher prizes for the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon, recognising runners from across the field. Those finishing 250th, 500th, 1,000th and 2,026th will each receive a €50 voucher, and all winners will be contacted following the event.
Official Retail Partner Sports Direct will also be there to give runners a boost at two key parts of the route. After miles 3 and during the final mile of the race, a Sports Direct cheer zone will encourage and motivate participants on their way to the finish line.
Post-Race
After crossing the finish line, all participants will receive their 2026 finisher medal and post-race goody bag.
The goody bag will include a souvenir race T-shirt provided by Official Apparel Partner Ronhill, water, Lucozade Sport and a Grenade protein bar.
Prizes for the top three individual women and men will be presented at the finish line. All other prizes, including master prizes, will be posted out in the days following the event.
Road and Gate Closures
A number of temporary road and gate closures will be in place to facilitate the safe running of the event.
OPW Road Closures
Chesterfield Avenue (Phoenix to Mountjoy Roundabout): Closed from 9.00pm on Saturday, 19 September until 2.00pm on Sunday, 20 September.
Ordnance Survey Road: Closed from 7.00am on Sunday, 20 September until 2.00pm. Access to Farmleigh House will be available only from 12 noon.
Military Road: Closed from 8.00am until 11.30am.
Upper Glen Road: Closed from 7.00am until 2.00pm.
Acres Road: Closed from 7.00am until 2.00pm.
Wellington Road: Closed from 10.00pm on Saturday, 19 September until 11.30am on Sunday, 20 September.
OPW Gate Closures
Castleknock Gate: Closed from 7.00am until 12.30pm.
Chapelizod Gate: Closed from 11.00pm on Saturday, 19 September until 11.30am on Sunday, 20 September.
Islandbridge Gate: Closed from 11.00pm on Saturday, 19 September until 11.30am on Sunday, 20 September.
Knockmaroon Gate: Closed from 11.00pm on Saturday, 19 September until 2.00pm on Sunday, 20 September.
Access to St. Mary’s Hospital and Cara Cheshire Home will be unaffected via Chapelizod Gate. All roads and gates will reopen as soon as it is safe to do so.
Fingal County Council Road Closures
Castleknock Road (Phoenix Park to junction with College Road): Closed from 8.30am until 9.45am.
College Road (to junction with Whites Road): Closed from 8.30am until 9.45am.
Whites Road (from Tower Road to Phoenix Park): Closed from 8.30am until 9.45am.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
• The 2026 Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon is the third and final event in the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Series. The series, welcoming runners with different goals: from those targeting each event as a standalone race to those using the distances as part of their preparation for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon.
• The Irish Life Dublin Race Series is organised by Dublin Marathon Group, a not-for-profit organisation that also delivers the Irish Life Dublin Marathon and the Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon.
About Dublin Marathon Group
Dublin Marathon Group is a not-for-profit organisation that delivers world-class running events for participants from Ireland and around the world.
Dublin Marathon Group organises and delivers Ireland’s leading portfolio of road races, including the Irish Life Dublin Marathon, Irish Life Dublin Race Series and the Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon. Dublin Marathon Group combines operational excellence with a uniquely Irish race-day atmosphere built on heritage, community and ambition for the sport’s future.
Dublin Marathon Group is committed to creating inclusive events where runners of all backgrounds and abilities feel welcome, supported and inspired to run, move and lead healthier lives.
Community and charity remain central to every event, helping participants raise vital funds and create meaningful impact through the power of running.
2026 Event Dates
• Irish Life Fingal 10K – Sunday 12 July 2026 – SOLD OUT
• Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile – Saturday 15 August 2026 – SOLD OUT
• Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon – Sunday 20 September 2026 – SOLD OUT
• Irish Life Dublin Marathon – Sunday 25 October 2026 – SOLD OUT
For More Information Contact: media@dublinmarathon.ie
• Sinéad Galvin | Dublin Marathon Group Media | 087 6266816
• Con Sheehan | Dublin Marathon Group Media | 085 2098141
Image: Sportsfile
