On Sunday, October 25, 22,500 runners will traverse the Dublin streets for a 42.2km route. It’s the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Marathon, and here is everything you need to know about the big day. 

On the day
The 2026 marathon begins at 8:45am, and it is important to note that the clocks will be going back by an hour at 2am on Sunday morning. That means an extra hour of sleep, but don’t get complacent: set those alarms.

There will be major road closures during the marathon on Sunday. Some roads will be closed as early as Friday, October 23, to accommodate the event set-up, so plan your journey accordingly. The DART will be disrupted due to engineering works, and there will be a temporary partial closure on the Luas Red Line with no services operating between Heuston and Connolly during the race. 

The starting location is Leeson Street Lower, and the finish line is at Mount Street Upper. The marathon route traverses St Stephen’s Green, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Phoenix Park and Kilmainham Gaol among a plethora of Dublin’s iconic landmarks.

Along the course, there are 15 designated support zones where you are encouraged to show up and cheer for the runners. Some notable support zones include Phoenix Monument (5 miles), KCR Garage (17 miles) and Roebuck Road (21.5 miles). 

If you wish to show your support at the finish line, there are two spots (one north and one south) to do so. Point 1 is the southside viewing on Herbert Street and Point 2 is the northside viewing on Stephen’s Lane, Power’s Court and Mount Street Crescent.

Weather-wise, it is set to be a crisp day despite the antics of storms Austen and Boelo. 

Charity Fundraising and GCN Runners
Beyond the run itself, the Dublin Marathon has always been motivated by community and charity. Since 2022, the event has raised over €9 million annually for a range of charitable causes. This year, €1 million was raised over three months before the marathon day.

In 2026, there are 208 organisations participating in the Irish Life Dublin Marathon charity programme, 110 of which are Irish. Thus, the event is an extremely important fundraising platform for various charitable organisations. 

Each of the 22,500 runners has a story, but we want to spotlight six who will be running to fundraise for GCN. We are so proud and grateful for their support, so without further ado, get to know Aidan, Arran, Ciana, Connie, Patrick and Tomás!

Aidan Kelly
“As a trans ally – and from my work with Gender Plus – I know how important it is that the matters impacting the trans+ community get balanced representation in the media. Every mile I run is a reminder of why I’m doing this – to make a real difference for a community that rarely gets a fair hearing.” Support Aidan’s fundraiser here.

Arran Whelan
“I am a Dubliner, living and working in Dublin city centre. Before even picking it up, seeing a copy of GCN in any pub, cafe, barbers, or anywhere it happened to be, has always communicated a subtle but important message of safety, that I am ok here. If you see me running around the streets of Dublin or in the Phoenix Park, give me a wave!” Support Arran’s fundraiser here.

Ciana Brady
“At 42.2km, it’ll be the longest distance I’ve ever run, so I’m equal parts excited and terrified! I’m proud to be raising funds for GCN, an organisation that has been informing, supporting and celebrating Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community for decades. Their work in amplifying queer voices and providing trusted, independent journalism is more important than ever. And if you see me on marathon day, feel free to cheer loudly—I have a feeling I’m going to need it!” Support Ciana’s fundraiser here.

Connie Colgan
“As I am 30 this year, it is compulsory that I do a full marathon, so I have decided to do it to raise vital funds for Gay Community News (GCN), a cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland and a crucial resource for queer and trans people to access free, reliable news on the developments that impact us.” Support Connie’s fundraiser here.

Patrick Mc Namara
“Hi, I’m Patrick and I’m running the 2026 Dublin City Marathon in support of GCN. Why you ask? Well, it was just a spur of the moment decision when I saw the ad on Instagram. If I had thought about it, I probably wouldn’t be here. I have never ran a marathon and the challenge of it, while incredibly scary and challenging, is oddly appealing.” Support Patrick’s fundraiser here.

Tomás Ahern
“I work as an Endocrinology physician. Part of this role involves providing medical care to the trans community. I see the challenges that my young patients experience, which frequently include marginalisation, neurodiversity, depression and suicidality. I see also how crucial access is to accurate, compassionate, and empowering information for trans, non-binary, and wider LGBTQ+ people and their families.” Support Tomás’s fundraiser here.

By supporting the runners who are fundraising for GCN, you will contribute to the sustainability of the organisation as a free, independent media resource for the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland and beyond. 

We are wishing our 2026 marathon runners the best of luck and hope to see many of you supporting them on Sunday!