But organising the annual event means road closures, bus diversions, and even disruption to the Dublinbikes scheme.
Starting out on Leeson Street Lower at 8.40am on Sunday, October 27, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon will wind its way around the streets of Dublin before runners get sight of the finish line in Mount Street Upper.
Participants are expected to continue crossing the finish line up to 5pm, and FM104 will be there pumping out the sounds to add to the atmosphere.
There will also be 14 designated locations – Irish Life Support Zones – where you can view all the action while enjoying the party spirit.
Those commuting should allow plenty of time to travel as there may be some delays to public transport services.
Road closures
A large number of rolling road closures will apply for the duration of the marathon weekend and there will be no parking allowed in these areas.
Merrion Square South will close from 10am on Friday, October 25 until 2pm on Monday, October 28.
Merrion Square Upper, Mount Street Cresent, Merrion Square East and Fitzwilliam Street Upper to Baggot Street will all close at 6am Saturday and open at 8pm on Sunday.
The following streets will close at 3.30am on Sunday morning and reopen at 1pm later that day: Fitzwilliam Square East; Fitzwilliam Place; Fitzwilliam Square North; Fitzwilliam Square South; Fitzwilliam Street Upper; Fitzwilliam Square West; Cumberland Road; Wilton Terrace; Wilton Place; Clanwilliam Place; Baggot Street Lower; and Leeson Street.
The following streets will close at 3.30am on Sunday morning and reopen at 5.30pm on Sunday evening: Verschoyle Place; Grattan Street and Court; Wilson’s Place and Grant’s Row; Fitzwilliam Lane; Baggot Place; Pembroke Row; Hagan’s Court; Mount Street Lower; Fitzwilliam Street Lower; Stephen’s Place; Stephen’s Lane; and James Street East.
The following streets will close at 3.30am on Sunday morning and reopen at 8pm on Sunday evening: Merrion Square North; Nassau Street; Kildare Street; Clare Street; Warrington Place; Merrion Square West; Herbert Place; Herbert Street; Herbert Lane; Power’s Court; and Holles Street.
Dart and Rail disruption
Participants are being warned that both for race number collection on Saturday and marathon day on Sunday, there’ll be no rail services between Connolly and Howth / Malahide / Dundalk.
This is due to a series of major rail works taking place between Clontarf Road and Howth / Dundalk over the bank holiday weekend.
No Dart services will operate between Connolly and Howth / Malahide, with services operating between Connolly and Bray / Greystones only.
An additional Dart at 7.05am will operate from Greystones to Dublin Connolly, serving all stations en route.
No Northern Commuter services will operate between Dundalk / Drogheda and Dublin Connolly.
An additional Maynooth commuter service will operate at 7.05am, serving all stations to Dublin Pearse.
Luas
On race day, both lines start as Sunday Service at 7am and finish at 11.30pm. Trams are every 10 minutes.
Dublin Bus
There will be a number of diversions in place from Friday, October 25 until 6pm on Monday, October 28. You can view the changes here.
Dublinbikes scheme
The race route for the Dublin Marathon has necessitated the closure of five Dublinbikes stations across the city from 2pm on friday, October 25, to 10am on Monday, October 28.
The Dublinkbikes stations impacted are:
– Merrion Square East
– Merrion Square West
– Merrion Square South
– Mount Street Lower
– Wilton Terrace
Access may be restricted at other stations and Dublinbikes users are reminded not to cycle on the race route.
DoDublin’s City Tours From 10am on race day, the DoDublin bus route will cover Pearse Street, divert via Nassau Street, Kildare Street, Merrion Row, Ely Place, Hume Street, Stephens Green, Dawson Street, Grafton Street, College Green, Fleet Street, College Green, normal route to Guinness Storehouse, Thomas Street, Bridge Street, North Quays and back on to normal route. Stops 9, 10, 11, 13 and 14 will be closed for the day due to the diversions. Tours will resume route via Phoenix Park and Kilmainham Gaol when the race has finished in these areas.
Parking for participants and spectators
Parking for participants and spectators is available at Q-Park Stephens Green, Q-Park Setanta and Q-Park Christchurch.
There’s a discount on parking at all Q-Park locations in Dublin city centre except Q-Park Four Courts & Q-Park Grand Canal.
This offer is available from October 27 to 29 via pre-booking only. It is not available at the car parks on the event day. You can use the promo code: RACE24 to activate the discount.