Cork marathon in full swing as hundreds turn out in yellow to remember Ellen

With a mood of positivity firmly in the air around the city, the 2026 Analog Devices Cork City Marathon is now in full swing.

Proceedings got underway with the full marathon commencing this morning at 8.15am.

In total, 12,300 runners are taking to the streets across the full marathon, half marathon national championships and 10K events, with approximately 25,000 spectators across Cork city cheering on the athletes.

According to Cork Marathon race officials, there are 1,000 race staff on duty, with 12,000 bananas and 100,000 bottles of water on hand to boost the energy levels of the runners.

One of the major changes to the event this year is the new city centre start and finish line located on Grand Parade.

Meanwhile, Cork also is turning yellow for the marathon this year in memory of Ellen Cassidy, the 24-year-old runner who tragically passed away after the 2025 half marathon.

More than 220 of Ellen’s family and friends came together to run and walk the half marathon and 10K events, to celebrate Ellen’s life and the joy she brought to sport and to Cork.

And on Saturday morning, the Ellen Cassidy Shakeout saw over 100 runners and walkers do a 'shakeout' run ahead of today's events. See below:

A special tribute sees Ellen’s name featuring inside a yellow heart on all 2026 finisher medals.

The Ellen Cassidy Perpetual Cups are to be awarded for the half marathon, an inaugural Ellen Cassidy Spirit of Running Award has also been established, while there was a yellow balloon release ahead of the half marathon start this morning.

There was also a special mass with the relics of St Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint, and for marathon runners remembering Ellen Cassidy at St Peter and Paul's church in Cork city this morning, celebrated by Bishop of Cork and Ross, Fintan Gavin.