GCN is recruiting a team of runners to take on the 2025 Irish Life Dublin Marathon. With a very limited number of free charity entries up for grabs, register now to secure your place on the starting line!

GCN (Gay Community News) has been Ireland’s free LGBTQ+ media and paper of record since 1988, aiming to inform, educate, platform and connect the community, and advocate for a more equal society. It is also the trading name of the National LGBT Federation CLG, a registered charity (Charity Number: 20034580), and operates with a not-for-profit model.

GCN boasts a vibrant presence through its bi-monthly magazine available in print and online, its news, entertainment and lifestyle website, digital initiatives, campaigns, live events, social media channels, merch store and digital archive. As well as celebrating queer culture and spotlighting emerging talent, it acts as a hub for other LGBTQ+ community organisations and support groups across Ireland, giving them a platform to highlight their work and inform readers of services available.

GCN operates on limited funds and resources. As the needs of the LGBTQ+ community evolve and we navigate the ever-changing media landscape and rising business costs, raising money through the Dublin Marathon will help to ensure GCN’s sustainability as an accessible, reliable and free bi-monthly magazine and multimedia service for all. With anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, hate crimes and misinformation on the rise, it’s vital that we continue to inform the community and amplify their voices to foster understanding and advocate for a more equal society.

Speaking about the new initiative, GCN Manager Stefano Pappalardo, said: “We are delighted to join the Irish Life Dublin Marathon charity programme.

“The Dublin Marathon is a staple in fostering community spirit and promoting health and wellbeing across Ireland. Additionally, the marathon’s charity programme in collaboration with Realbuzz does amazing work to provide an avenue through which organisations can raise much-needed funds to support the work they do.

“With the cost of living crisis, securing funding for GCN is vital to ensure we can continue providing a free, accessible, and trusted media resource for the LGBTQ+ community in Ireland. If you’re thinking of taking part, we’d love to be considered as your charity partner for this year’s Dublin Marathon.”

Anna Nolan, Chairperson of the National LGBT Federation, added: “The NXF is thrilled to support GCN with this new initiative. This is a fantastic way to get active in 2025, all while supporting the team in continuing the amazing work they do for our LGBTQ+ community in Ireland and beyond. If you’d like to take part in this year’s Dublin Marathon, please consider running in support of GCN.”

GCN has a very limited number of free entries to the 2025 Irish Life Dublin Marathon to offer to our supporters. Whether it’s your first or 50th time to take on the 42.2km course, make every step count by raising much-needed funds for Ireland’s LGBTQ+ media.

Charity fundraising has always been at the heart of the Dublin Marathon, with over €9 million raised each year by the amazing participants. The 2025 race takes place on October 26 and registration for Team GCN is open now! To express your interest, simply fill out this form and we will be in touch to discuss the next steps.

Alternatively, if you already have a ticket for the race, you can set up your own fundraising page for GCN here. And if running just isn’t your thing, you can still support GCN by donating to one of our amazing runners or our campaign below.