A huge weekend of racing across Ireland and Northern Ireland — the biggest of the spring season so far. Three major city events dominate the calendar, but there's also a standout community 5k for anyone looking for a fast time on Friday evening.
Great Limerick Run — Sunday 3 May, Limerick
Start 11am. Entry €67 (half), €80 (marathon).
The Great Limerick Run is one of the landmark events of the Irish running calendar, drawing thousands of runners through the heart of Limerick city each May. The half marathon begins in the historic Pery Square, flanked by Georgian architecture and the People's Park, before heading out through Raheen and Dooradoyle and looping back across the River Shannon via Sarsfield Bridge. Runners pass Thomond Park before finishing on O'Connell Street with thousands of spectators lining the route. The course is predominantly flat and fast with 130m of ascent on the half and 226m on the full marathon. The marathon starts at 9am — both distances are well-organised with strong crowd support throughout.
View the half marathon · Marathon
Dublin City Half Marathon — Sunday 3 May, Dublin
Start 8:30am. Sold out.
The Dublin City Half Marathon starts at the GPO on O'Connell Street and follows a single-loop route through the Northside of the city, finishing back in the heart of Dublin. With 76m of ascent on smooth tarmac city streets it's a flat, fast course well-suited to PB attempts. Entries are sold out but if you're running it, the course map and elevation profile are on RaceRoutes.
View course map and elevation profile
Belfast City Marathon — Sunday 3 May, Belfast
Start 9am. Sold out.
Starting from the Stormont Estate and finishing in Ormeau Park, the Belfast City Marathon is one of the most iconic marathons on the island. The route takes in landmarks including City Hall, the Titanic Quarter and the Big Fish sculpture, with a fast descent from East Belfast followed by rolling hills through the north and west of the city before levelling out along the River Lagan for the finish. With 205m of ascent it's a proper city marathon — not flat, but spectacular.
View course map and elevation profile
BK5k — Friday 2 May, Dundrum, Tipperary
Start 8pm. Entry €20.
An evening 5k to kick off the weekend. The BK5k in Dundrum village is renowned as one of the flattest and fastest 5k courses in Ireland — just 10m of ascent on smooth, level tarmac through the village streets and surrounding countryside, passing St. Mary's Church and looping out toward the Marl Bog Forest before returning to the village. It starts at 8pm so you can get a race in before the weekend's big events. At €20 it's good value and the course record speaks for itself.
View course map and elevation profile
Full course maps, elevation profiles and race details for all of this weekend's races are on RaceRoutes. Always check the official race website before travelling as details can change.