The runners have their route sorted. Now it is the supporters’ turn.
The Irish Life Dublin Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 25th, and organisers have published a spectator guide identifying 15 designated support zones along the course. From the opening miles beside the Liffey to the final stretch on Northumberland Road, there are plenty of spots to give someone a much needed roar.
If you are heading out to support a friend, family member or clubmate, here is where to go, how to reach the finish line viewing areas and what to consider before leaving home.
Where Are the Dublin Marathon Support Zones?
The designated zones run from the two mile point to 25.3 miles. The distances below are approximate and are reproduced from the organisers’ spectator guide.
- 2 miles: Junction of O’Donovan Rossa Bridge and Wood Quay
- 5 miles: Phoenix Monument
- 6.8 miles: Myos, Castleknock
- 8.3 miles: Furze Road junction with Upper Glen, Phoenix Park
- 10 miles: St Patrick’s School, Chapelizod Road
- 11.5 miles: Kilmainham, opposite the Hilton Hotel
- 12.8 miles: Junction of South Circular Road and Crumlin Road
- 15 miles: Kestrel, Walkinstown
- 17 miles: KCR Garage
- 17 miles: Terenure Village
- 19 miles: Milltown
- 21.5 miles: Roebuck Road
- 22.5 miles: Foster’s Avenue
- 24 miles: Junction of Nutley Road and Merrion Road
- 25.3 miles: Northumberland Road
Both KCR Garage and Terenure Village are listed at approximately 17 miles in the official guide.
Which Support Zone Should You Choose?
Start with somewhere you can reach comfortably. An ambitious plan to see your runner at several points is only useful if you can actually get between them.
For an early appearance, Wood Quay, the Phoenix Monument and Castleknock offer opportunities within the opening seven miles. Agree your spot beforehand so your runner knows where to look rather than trying to pick you out from every crowd.
The zones at Chapelizod Road, Kilmainham and the South Circular Road junction with Crumlin Road cover the approach to halfway. Kestrel in Walkinstown, KCR Garage and Terenure Village provide options further into the race, when the early excitement may be giving way to harder work.
If you want to be there for the closing miles, consider Milltown, Roebuck Road or Foster’s Avenue. A familiar voice can be particularly welcome when the legs are tired and there is still a fair bit to do.
Nutley Road’s junction with Merrion Road and Northumberland Road are the final two designated support zones. At Northumberland Road, runners will have less than a mile remaining. That is a much more convincing point to shout “nearly there” than somewhere around mile ten.
Where Can You Watch at the Finish?
The organisers have identified two sets of access routes for finish line spectators.
Southside viewing: Access via Herbert Street.
Northside viewing: Access via Stephen’s Lane, Power’s Court and Mount Street Crescent.
These are the viewing areas described in the official guide. Plan your approach using the relevant access streets and follow steward instructions when you arrive.
If you intend to meet someone after their race, agree a separate meeting point beforehand. Watching them finish and finding them afterwards are two different parts of the day, and a vague promise to meet “near the finish” is unlikely to help tired legs or a fading phone battery.
Work Out When Your Runner Might Arrive
The mile markers are useful for estimating when to be ready, but make sure you know your runner’s expected starting time as well as their intended pace.
For example, someone averaging ten minutes per mile would reach the ten mile point roughly one hour and 40 minutes after crossing the start line. That is an estimate, not an appointment, so arrive early and allow for their race to unfold differently from the plan.
Tell your runner which side of the road you expect to stand on, from their direction of travel. A distinctive sign or bright coat can make you easier to spot.
Plan Your Journey and Keep the Course Clear
The organisers advise supporters to choose a zone in advance, check its approximate mile marker and allow extra time for travel. They also recommend public transport where possible.
Check current travel information before setting off, particularly if you intend to move between support zones. The official marathon website links to race day travel guidance and provides course and start and finish maps.
Once you are there, keep the route clear and follow instructions from stewards. Bring a sign, give your runner a shout and keep the encouragement going for the people around them too.
Your own runner might pass in a few seconds. There will be plenty more behind them who could do with the same reception.
