Dublin City Council Announced as Title Sponsor of the Dublin City Half Marathon
Dublin City Council has been announced as the title sponsor of the Dublin City Half Marathon, which will take place on Sunday, 3rd May 2026. The race date has moved from March to the May Bank Holiday weekend, a change designed to better balance the needs of runners, and the wider city community.
The ‘Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon’ is organised by Dublin Marathon Group and will start at 8:30 am in the heart of Dublin City on O’Connell Street. The course will take runners through the north of the city before finishing back in the city centre.
Building on Dublin City Council’s involvement as official event partner for the inaugural event in 2025, Dublin City Council’s confirmation as title sponsor reflects its continued commitment to supporting active lifestyles, public health, and inclusive city-centre events that bring people into the heart of Dublin.
The ‘Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon’, will welcome runners of all abilities, from beginners to experienced athletes. The mission of the event remains to create a vibrant racing experience that celebrates runners, the city of Dublin, and its people. The event theme is “Run Together – Thrive Together.”
Speaking at the announcement, the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam said: “Dublin City Council is delighted to be the title sponsor of the Dublin City Half Marathon. As Lord Mayor, my theme is Celebrating Dublin, and this event is a perfect expression of my three priorities: an Active City, a Living City, and an Engaged City, with thousands of people running our streets, showcasing our neighbourhoods, and communities turning out in force to support them. I wish every participant, volunteer and supporter a fantastic day; and fingers crossed for good weather.”
Seán O’Riain, CEO of Dublin Marathon Group, said: “Our partnership with Dublin City Council has been pivotal to the success of our events over many years, and they are a natural fit as title sponsor of the Dublin City Half Marathon. With the race starting on O’Connell Street and finishing in the heart of the city, this event truly reflects the spirit of Dublin and its communities. Dublin City Council’s support plays a key role in the continued growth of the event, inspiring runners of all abilities to achieve their best, and we are delighted to be working together as we look ahead to another great event in 2026.
In 2026, 12,500 runners will take to the streets of Dublin, bringing energy, movement and community spirit back to the city. A ballot-based entry system introduced following runner feedback, allocated places through a public ballot, with remaining entries reserved for charity partners, elite athletes, international tour operators and community programmes. Runners who were unsuccessful in the ballot will still have opportunities to take part, with a transfer window from 2nd–8th April and with charity entries available through Realbuzz.