The Analog Devices Cork City Marathon takes place on Sunday 31 May 2026 and has sold out in record time. If you have a place, here's everything you need to know.
The Basics
Date: Sunday 31 May 2026
Organised by: Cork City Council
More info: corkcity.ie/en/cork-city-marathon
| Race | Start time | Ascent |
|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 8:15am | 117m |
| 10km | 8:45am | 7m |
| Half Marathon | 10:45am | 87m |
New for 2026 — A New Start and Finish
This year brings the biggest course changes since Patrick Street became the home of the marathon in 2007. All three races will now start and finish on Grand Parade, close to the City Library — reconnecting the race with a location that hosted Cork's marathon events back in the 1980s.
The full marathon starts on Grand Parade and runs up Patrick Street before crossing the River Lee at North Gate Bridge, heading toward Blackpool. In the Ballyphehane area, the course turns south at Pearse Road, taking in Botanic Road, Tory Top Road, Mount Pleasant Road, Mount Pleasant Avenue, and Friar's Walk. Toward the end, runners come off Mardyke Walk and turn right onto Western Road and Washington Street before finishing on Grand Parade.
The half marathon follows the same course as the marathon from the two-mile mark, with a minor addition to its start on Monahan Road.
The 10k starts at the Marlboro Street junction on South Mall, heads west onto Grand Parade, turns left onto Washington Street, and also finishes on Grand Parade.
Start Locations
- Marathon: Grand Parade
- Half Marathon: Monahan Road
- 10km: South Mall (Marlboro Street junction)
- Bag Drop/Registration: City Hall
Running the Marathon
117m ascent | Flat | Single loop
View full course map and elevation profile
The marathon is rated flat overall, with 117m of total ascent spread over 42km — one of the more runnable city marathons in Ireland. From the Grand Parade start, runners head up Patrick Street and north across the Lee toward Blackpool before swinging east along the Lower Glanmire Road and out to Dunkettle. From there it heads south through Tivoli and into Mahon, before picking up the Marina and the old railway line path past Blackrock Castle. After Blackrock the route turns inland through the southern suburbs, passing The Lough and UCC before heading west on Model Farm Road. The final stretch comes off Mardyke Walk, right onto Western Road and Washington Street, and finishes on Grand Parade.
Where to push: The Marina and Blackrock stretch (around miles 10–14) is flat and scenic — a good place to find rhythm after the early miles. Model Farm Road in the mid-to-late 20s is also largely straight and flat.
Where to be careful: The course covers a lot of ground heading north and east before it comes back south — don't get caught up in the atmosphere of the Grand Parade start and go out too fast. The Jack Lynch Tunnel section is enclosed and can feel warm, so keep your effort steady through it. The stretch through the western suburbs after UCC can feel exposed and mentally tough in the later miles if you've let your pace slip.
Finish: Turning right from Mardyke Walk onto Western Road and Washington Street, runners hit Grand Parade for a city centre finish right outside the City Library.
Running the Half Marathon
87m ascent | Undulating | Single loop
View full course map and elevation profile
Unlike the marathon and 10k, the half marathon is rated undulating — so don't treat it as a flat race. Starting on Monahan Road, the route joins the marathon course at the two-mile mark and runs through Blackrock and up through the southern suburbs past The Lough and UCC before joining Model Farm Road and finishing on Grand Parade.
Where to push: The Marina and Blackrock section is the most straightforward stretch — use it to settle into target pace after the opening miles.
Where to be careful: The 87m of ascent reflects genuine rolling terrain through the residential areas south of the city. The hills around The Lough and UCC will take something out of your legs. With a 10:45am start, temperatures could also be rising by the time you're in the later miles.
Finish: Same as the marathon — right onto Western Road and Washington Street, finishing on Grand Parade.
Running the 10km
7m ascent | Very flat | Single loop
View full course map and elevation profile
The 10k is as flat as it gets — just 7m of total ascent on a city centre loop. Starting at the Marlboro Street junction on South Mall, the route heads west onto Grand Parade, turns left onto Washington Street, and finishes back on Grand Parade.
Where to push: Practically the whole course. With only 7m of elevation change there is nothing to hold you back — this is a course designed for fast times and PB attempts. Last year's winning men's time was 29:46.
Where to be careful: The 8:45am start means the 10k goes off just 30 minutes after the marathon. Allow plenty of time to get to South Mall and be aware the city centre will already be in full race-day mode.
On the Day
- Bag drop and registration is at City Hall
- It's the June bank holiday weekend — Cork city will be busy, plan your travel early
- Road closures will be in place across large parts of the city from early morning
- The medical team has been reminding runners to ensure any existing conditions are flagged before race day
About the Event
The Analog Devices Cork City Marathon is organised by Cork City Council and supports more than 500 Irish registered charities each year, raising €307,000 for Irish charities and community groups in 2025. Title sponsors Analog Devices (ADI) have committed to a three-year partnership to grow the event's capacity and community impact.
More info: corkcity.ie/en/cork-city-marathon