Having sold out in record time in May, the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon returns to the Phoenix Park this Sunday for one of the most anticipated fixtures in the Irish running calendar.
Thousands of runners from elite athletes, first-time participants, seasoned club runners and more will convene under one of Dublin’s most iconic backdrops for the 13.1-mile challenge, marking an important final step on the road to the Irish Life Dublin Marathon.
Since the inaugural Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon in 2002, Phoenix Park has welcomed runners with every kind of ambition.
It could be a first Half Marathon, a personal best, a comeback, a challenge shared with friends, or simply another milestone on the road to Marathon day.
Every runner arrives with a different reason, but on Sunday morning they will all arrive at the same start line and share the same achievement of completing 13.1 miles through Phoenix Park.
In the men’s field, Michael Brady (Raheny Shamrock A.C) will hope for a third podium finish in this year’s Race Series, after he won the Irish Life Fingal 10K and finished as runner up in the Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile in 50:06.
He’ll be challenged by Emmett Jennings (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) who ran a Half Marathon personal best this year at the Barcelona Half Marathon, finishing in 64:12, while Wayne Waldron (Donore Harriers A.C) and Colm Roche (Celbridge A.C) will also be in contention.
Meghan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) will be the favourite in the women’s race holding a Half Marathon personal best of 75:11, which she in the Valencia Half Marathon back in 2023.
This time also is under the current course record for the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon set by two-time Olympian Michelle Finn (Leevale A.C) in 2024, after she clocked a time of 75:45.
The 2026 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.
Title Sponsor Irish Life will once again recognise runners throughout the field with milestone finisher prizes.
Runners finishing in 250th, 500th, 1000th and 2026th place will each receive a €50 voucher.
Sports Direct, Dublin Marathon Group’s Official Pacing Team Partner, will continue to support runners targeting finish times of ranging from 1:30 minutes to 2:50 minutes.
Sunday’s race will round off the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Series, which continues to be about much more than three days on the running calendar, but the coming together of thousands of personal goals.
Whatever those goals are, each event in the Series combines individual ambition with the support of the running community and the heritage of Dublin road racing.