Cork City Marathon: All you need to know ahead of race day
Sanctuary Runners during their final training at Tramore Valley Park ahead of Sunday's Cork city marathon. Pictures: Eddie O'Hare
The Cork City Marathon takes place this Sunday, May 31, bringing thousands of runners and supporters into the city for one of the highlights of the year on Leeside.
Regardless if you're a seasoned marathon runner or if it is your first time taking part, there are a number of things to know ahead of the big day.
Among the key changes for the event this year is a new city centre start and finish line on Grand Parade.
The full marathon starts on Grand Parade at 8:15am on Sunday morning.
Runners can only enter Grand Parade via South Mall junction with Parnell Place. This will open at 7.30am, where a bib number check will be in operation.
The 10km race starts on the South Mall at 8:45am.
Runners for this race can assemble from 8am on Parnell Place, where they will be escorted down South Mall from 8.20am, after the full marathon has started.
Meanwhile, the half marathon starts on Monahan Road. For this, there will be two starting waves. Runners will assemble in Kennedy Park in their chosen wave. The first wave starts at 10.15am. This will include the 1 hr 30 min, 1.40, 1.45 and 1.50 pace runners.
The second wave led by the two-hour pacers will start at 10.30am. Runners should pick the wave appropriate to their predicted finishing time.
All three races will finish on Grand Parade.
Race participants are reminded that race packs, including bib and timing chip, must be collected in advance at the Cork City Hall Expo.
Registration will take place on Friday, May 29, from 12pm to 7pm and Saturday, May 30, from 11am to 6pm.
The Marathon Expo will run alongside registration across both days, giving runners and visitors the opportunity to meet exhibitors, browse race gear and connect with event partners and charities. The podcast will be live at the Expo on Saturday from midday.
There will be a baggage drop facility available at Cork City Hall on race day, Sunday May 31, operating from about 7am to 5pm.
There will be a full range of on-course supports in place. This includes 13 water stations across the full marathon route, and two along the 10km course, with locations published on the official course map in advance.
Toilet facilities will be available at Cork City Hall, near start areas and at the finish line on Grand Parade, alongside additional port-a-loos positioned throughout the route.
Period products will also be available at designated toilet facilities.
Participants are encouraged to review the official course map in advance to familiarise themselves with facilities and to plan accordingly:
For supporters heading into the city to cheer runners on, the recommended viewing points include: The Lough and Washington Street, while the Straight Road and Mardkye Walk are also great vantage points (accessible on foot only due to road closures).
With the new finish line on Grand Parade, the city centre will be a key focal point for spectators.
On social media, spectators are encouraged to share race day moments using #AnalogDevicesCorkCity Marathon #YourRaceTheirHope.
Anyone looking to show support to the family and friends of Ellen Cassidy, who are running in her memory, are asked to wear yellow or hold a yellow banner.
Detailed information on road closures and traffic restrictions is available on the Cork City Marathon website, with motorists advised to plan their route in advance to avoid delays.
Due to a number of public roads being closed in the city to facilitate the marathon on Sunday, May 31, some Bus Éireann services will operate with diversions.
Full details of diverted routes at buseireann.ie
The following trains will be operating on Sunday morning to get participants to the race line on schedule:
7:00am Mallow to Cork Kent;
7:00am Cobh to Cork Kent;
7:15am Midleton to Cork Kent;
For more information on the 2026 Cork City Marathon, visit corkcitymarathon.ie or follow @corkcitymarathon on social media.
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