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Dublin Marathon 2026

ted1

Time for a new thread.,

Just got my entry via the ballot. Ran my last marathon in 2019, covid happened in 20, and wasn’t into virtual marathons. Only got back into running in August. So a good reason to start training.

Planning to do San Sebastián again, its 4 weeks after Dublin and a nice treat , I’ll be match ready , so no extra training required

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crisco10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124522444#Comment_124522444

yeah, just not what sure Dublin does.

sk8board

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124523074#Comment_124523074

99% of races are only concerned with you being in the right age category on race day.

As a boards straw poll, it feels like everyone got in? There’s only one refusal in this thread and it seems like an error. If they did a lottery you’d have to think more of us would have been refused.

rocksch2

Didn't get in GFA as the URL I used for results was a searchable link rather than having my name. Gutted.

Looking for a transfer if anyone has one - would really appreciate it.

Dipsomaniac

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124523973#Comment_124523973

It looks like 3 users, including myself didnt get in with quicker than GFA times. 2 others look to have missed out due to input issues.

FazyLucker

Lads, GFA or not there will be entries available! I started training in the expectation that I'll get a place.

sthealy

I’m planning to train with that in mind too.

To date: I didn’t believe in manifestation, but until I have my entry in hand, I’m going to start believing! :)) Best of luck to all whenever training blocks kick off

shanemgb25

Looking for a transfer also :)

Trampas

Transfer window open until late September. That should help more people as by then a lot of people will know by then the marathon isn’t on for them this year as high mileage be kicking in

Jahoby

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124544064#Comment_124544064

Ideally it would be even closer to the race but definitely a big improvement moving it another month

sk8board

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124550064#Comment_124550064

the transfer window closes 5 weeks ish before the race, so I’d say you won’t have many late late entries, bar some running other marathons before DCM and then grab a bib from a friend to either race it or enjoy it

Euphoriasean

I see Karl Fitzmaurice has on TikTok that his 2:25 GFA application was unsuccessful. Obviously an error somewhere, but there seems to be a lot of them. Something that needs looking at.

sk8board

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124557579#Comment_124557579

might they have done a mini draw for each age group. Surely not?

If you have too many applications for GFA spots, the Boston method is fairest, with one flat cut-off time applied to each age qualifier time.

PatMurphy021987

Does anyone know of any running groups in Dublin that meet up for long runs? I find longer distances much easier in a group and I’ll be increasing my distance each week.

Im looking to join a group or regular meet-up for long runs on the weekends.

Euphoriasean

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124560887#Comment_124560887

I doubt it, you'd be top 20/25 with that sort of time. If the GFA times reduce next year, it would be a good indication that they were oversubscribed this year.

sk8board

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124562445#Comment_124562445

if they didn’t do a draw, how would people with so much headroom lose out though

Dublinlad1989

@Euphoriasean

Look up Your Helpful Runners on Instagram. They meet every weekend in the Phoenix park for their long runs leading up the Marathon. There's normally a big group of people so multiple options for different paces.

Think they are starting training for Dublin at the end of June. They have a whatsapp group for different goal times as well so you can meet and run with people aiming for the same thing as you.

Its all free as well!

PatMurphy021987

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124562942#Comment_124562942

Cheers, any chance you could dm the WhatsApp number - bit of a dinosaur here and don't have an Instagram :-)

bren2002

https://www.thejournal.ie/dublin-marathon-entry-ballot-fee-7074678-Jun2026/?utm_source=thejournal&utm_content=top-stories

sk8board

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567544#Comment_124567544

this can’t be a surprise to anyone - it’s just math. We know what it cost, how many entered, and how many didn’t get a place.

The €5 prevents a free for all of people making multiple entries like happens with London. There aren’t 1.3m people looking to run the London marathon. I put in 3-4 entries every year, across addresses and emails.

Dublinlad1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124564135#Comment_124564135

Its not a number its a community that they have set up. If you go into Communities and search Your Helpful Runners i think it should come up

rovers_runner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124567544#Comment_124567544

It's high time they discolosed the CEO salary.
If they are a not for profit they should be upfront about any costs incurred through employement of people within the organization.

I'd wager that this slush fund covers off his salary and that neither the charges or CEO are doing anything to benefit the race. The only time you see or hear from him is at photo shoots/launches, jobs for the boys considering the power his ould lad had in the past.

sk8board

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124572809#Comment_124572809

I almost couldn’t disagree with you more.

Never mind the fact that they’ve been running since the 80’s and this is the first time they ran a ballot or changed the €5 to enter it. People seem to think everything costs nothing. volunteer as a Marshall some year and see the level of effort that goes into everything running smoothly.

For one thing, an amount as small as €5 prevents people using every address in their extended family and friends (like I do every year for London, and then London shout about having 1.3m ‘people’ entering the ballot).

People lose their sh1t if even one aid station runs low on supplies. The expectations are sky high for the price paid.

rovers_runner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124572855#Comment_124572855

You proved the point there unknown to yourself.

It has been run since the 80's without the ballot/processing fee when it was far more labour intensive for that step.
The entry fee is also 50% higher than it was even 15 years ago so there is a cost of operation/inflation factored in that the runner is already paying for.

sk8board

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124573027#Comment_124573027

the ballot is only there this year for the first time due to the popularity of the event and the restrictions on participation. DCM are in an impossible position, like every over-subscribed race - there has to be people who will lose out. Hence we now have other means, like GFA, and a two month transfer window.

I’ve absolutely no doubt that Jim Aughney would LOVE to hear your better solution - and if you’d prefer to have as many free ballot entries as you can muster, rather than 1 €5 entry, that’s not a solution.

event

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124573938#Comment_124573938

Better solution?

Rovers has to have a personal grudge against Jim at this stage cos for the last 3 to 4 years its just been constant digs at him and the DCM volunteers.

Its fairly sad tbh

cullenswood

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124572809#Comment_124572809

Ding ding ding …..

DCM ballot is mentioned, the bat signal goes up, and Rovers comes on mouthing.

Unfollow if it triggers you so much. I think everyone knows your feelings by now

rovers_runner

The solution is have someone provide a payment card/account and its automatically charged 100% of the fee if you come out of the ballot.

If bank rejects it entry goes back in the pot.

No need for charges for unsuccessful entries, all money cleared on day 1.

rovers_runner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124579731#Comment_124579731

I've been criticised for unnecessary griping over this process and now the public and media are calling them out on it, so they are still wrong to question the €5 or not?

There is no need for a paid CEO position for an event company with 5 races a year, all of which already sell out or make enough money to clear their costs and more.

rizzee

I see there’s a 20E cancellation fee if you’re looking for a refund now! Money hungry w@nkers. Admin fee my hole.

theman91

If you're interested in transferring a ticket. I'd love to reimburse you for it. Looking for one myself.