The Waterford Viking Marathon takes place on Sunday 21 June 2026, starting in the heart of Waterford city. Here's everything you need to know before race day.
The Basics
Date: Sunday 21 June 2026
Start time: 9:00am
Location: Waterford City
Entry fee: €80
More info: waterfordvikingmarathon.com
| Ascent | 112m |
| Profile | Flat |
| 2025 winning time (M) | 2:23:26 |
| 2025 winning time (F) | 3:10:05 |
The Course
112m ascent | Flat | Point-to-point return
View full course map and elevation profile
For more in-depth information on this race, including history and results, visit the Waterford Viking Marathon page on MarathonsIreland.com.
The marathon begins on The Mall in the heart of Waterford city, positioned between the House of Waterford Crystal and the Bishop's Palace — a fitting start line in what is one of Ireland's most historically rich city centres. From there, runners cross the River Suir via the iconic Rice Bridge and the Thomas Francis Meagher Bridge before picking up the Waterford Greenway.
The Greenway section is the spine of the course. The route passes through the world-renowned Mount Congreve Gardens, with views of the River Suir and the surrounding countryside providing a welcome distraction in the middle miles.
The opening sections feature gentle rolling terrain, but the course is well-known for its fast, downhill stretches in the latter half, which make it a realistic target for those chasing times. With 112m of total ascent over 42km, it earns its flat rating — comparable to other fast Irish marathons.
The race concludes with a finish on O'Connell Street, right in the centre of Ireland's oldest city.
Where to push: The Greenway section offers the smoothest, most consistent running on the course — use it to settle into your target pace and build confidence. The downhill stretches in the final third are the key to a strong finish time; arrive at them fresh.
Where to be careful: A 9:00am start in late June means temperatures could rise as the race goes on. The early rolling terrain on the city streets is manageable but don't let the atmosphere pull you out too fast — the Greenway rewards patience.
Finish: O'Connell Street, Waterford city centre.
Note: The course map on RaceRoutes is based on the 2025 route. Always confirm the final route with the race organisers before race day.
On the Day
- The race starts on The Mall — arrive early as Waterford city centre will have road closures in place
- A mid-June start means long daylight and potentially warm conditions — carry or plan for hydration from early on
- The Waterford Greenway section is largely off-road; road shoes are fine but expect a different surface underfoot compared to the city streets
About the Event
The Waterford Viking Marathon celebrates Ireland's oldest city and its 1,100 years of Viking heritage. The race is a popular choice on the Irish marathon calendar, combining fast course terrain with a scenic route along the Waterford Greenway and city-centre landmarks.
Race website: waterfordvikingmarathon.com
More info: Waterford Viking Marathon on MarathonsIreland.com