New entry system for Dublin marathon

Ottoline Spearman

The organisers of the Dublin Marathon have announced a new system for entries.

From next year, applicants will be put through a ballot system, which the group says will make the process fairer.

The organisers are looking to increase the number of first-time runners and female runners taking part.

They will remove the 48-hour priority window for returning entrants, which has been in place previously.

The Irish Times reported that the event on Sunday, October 26th, is once again a 22,500-entry sell-out.

About 70 per cent of those were decided on the priority early entry system, which guaranteed a spot to all those who entered the race the previous year, whether they showed up or not.

The 48-hour priority entry, first introduced in 2017, was designed to reward loyal Dublin Marathon runners. By 2019, however, race entry was capped at 22,500, as the event became more popular.

From 2026 onwards, all general entries will be allocated through a lottery-based ballot system.