Cork City Marathon 2027

Overview

The Analog Devices Cork City Marathon is the big road-running weekend of Ireland's second city. Held at the beginning of June, it brings together a full marathon, a marathon relay, a half marathon and a 10 km, so the whole spectrum of runners, from first-time 10 km entrants to experienced marathoners, races on the same morning through the streets of Cork.

The marathon is run on a fully paved, single-loop course that is fast, flat and well suited to a personal best.

Course and formats

Marathon (42.195 km)

In 2026 the start and finish moved from Patrick Street, where they had been since 2007, to the Grand Parade beside the City Library. From there the course heads up Patrick Street and crosses the River Lee at North Gate Bridge into Blackpool, then runs east along the Lower Glanmire Road to Dunkettle.

The route turns south through Tivoli and Mahon and follows the Marina and the old railway line path past Blackrock Castle. It then cuts inland through the southern suburbs, passing The Lough and University College Cork, heads west on the Model Farm Road and returns to the city centre via the Mardyke Walk, Western Road and Washington Street.

Total climbing is only about 117 m. The organisers describe the course as generally flat, with its two hardest hills arriving late in the race, around miles 18 and 21, which is worth keeping in mind when planning your pacing.

Half marathon and 10 km

The half marathon is a slightly more undulating course, with around 87 m of ascent, while the 10 km is almost completely flat, with only a few metres of climbing.

Marathon relay

The relay lets teams share the marathon distance, which makes it a popular option for clubs, workplaces and groups of friends who want to be part of marathon day without running the full 42 km.

A tour of the city

The course works as a running tour of Cork: the commercial heart around Patrick Street and the Grand Parade, the river crossings, the northside, the quiet riverside stretch along the Marina towards Blackrock Castle, then the university quarter and the Mardyke on the way back. Several streets on the route, including Patrick Street, the Grand Parade and the South Mall, were once river channels before they were culverted and paved over in the 1780s.

Practical information

• Marathon, relay, half marathon and 10 km all take place on the same morning, so expect a busy city centre and plan travel to the start early.
• Start and finish are on the Grand Parade, in the city centre.
• Course details are published by the organisers ahead of each edition; check the official site for the final 2027 route.