The Irish Life Dublin marathon is now ranked 5th in Europe and 12th globally*. The race has sold out for the past 10 straight years straight, with demand continuing to grow. Earlier this month, when the entry ballot opened, a record 47,000 people applied for a 2026 entry.
A few numbers
- 3000+ volunteers across the events portfolio
- 22,500 participants enter the Irish Life Dublin Marathon
- 50,000+ taking part annually across the portfolio (5 events**)
- More than 350,000 supporters lining the streets supporting the marathon.
The inaugural Dublin City Half Marathon in 2025 was equally in demand. Its 12,500 places were sold out in under two hours, confirming an unmet demand for high-quality, large-scale distance events.
Dublin isn’t the only city seeing demand for half-marathon distance races. Across Europe, City Halfs are having a moment with participant numbers often outgrowing the marathon fields.
Diversity is at the core of the portfolio, and the Dublin City Half Marathon and the Irish Life Race Series events now enjoy gender parity, as well as consistently attracting runners from every age and background. Together this gives brands a unique opportunity to engage with this health-conscious and brand-loyal community in their journey to the start line, let alone the finish line!
Insights that matter
Running in Ireland is now one of the most democratic activities in the country. Our data shows:
- first-time runner numbers across the events portfolio continue to grow
- each race in the portfolio brings its own distinct demographic profile, letting brands tailor messages across the five different races rather than one homogeneous group
- running has become the new business network, with workplaces increasingly using events to build culture, connection and wellbeing. One in three of our participants is a corporate decision maker.
These insights shape a partnership opportunity with real distinction. Brands can lead in wellness, community, performance, inclusion and innovation, all under one umbrella.
Why a brand should join now
The portfolio has reach, emotional depth and cultural credibility that few Irish mass-participation properties can match. It offers a rare mix of scale and intimacy, national exposure and personal meaning. For the right partner, it can deliver:
- high-trust visibility across digital channels, community moments and race day
- a year-round storytelling platform rooted in real lives, habits and progress
- a rich environment for innovation in data, technology, nutrition, mobility and FMCG
- a credible way to champion participation, gender balance and community health.
Who we are looking for
With long-term partners like Irish Life, one of Ireland’s leading life and pensions companies, already in place, we’re seeking partners who are looking to actively engage with this ever-growing running community.
Brands that see value in helping people start, stay engaged and feel part of something bigger.
Brands that want to make a measurable social and commercial impact, while building meaningful connections.
This is not a badging exercise.
It’s a chance to lead a national movement.
We’re not just event organisers. We want to increase the cultural, storytelling and commercial impact of our events.
Contacts
If this sounds like the type of platform you’d like to explore, we’d love to talk. Drop us a line at HelloDublin@1920ww.com
By ESA Member 1920 Worldwide
*Brand Finance, 2025
**Dublin City Half Marathon (May bank holiday weekend, 2026) and the Irish Life Race Series consists of three races as a build-up to the marathon – a 10k, 10 mile and half marathon taking place a month apart in July, August and September.
