Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
The Great Limerick Run Marathon draws approximately 1,650 finishers each May on an urban road in Limerick, Ireland. It is the biggest mass-participation sporting event outside Dublin and anchors the city's running calendar. The route passes the River Shannon, Georgian streets, and broad city roads through Limerick's main districts. The River Shannon, Georgian streets, and broad city roads through Limerick's main districts anchor May's biggest mass-participation sporting event outside Dublin.
Great Limerick Run Marathon is a certified 42.195 km (26.2 mile) marathon — the standard World Athletics marathon distance.
The next Great Limerick Run Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, 2 May 2027 with a 9:00 am start. The certified course covers 42.195 km (26.2 miles) with 100 m of climbing on a mostly flat with gentle undulations layout.
Starts at Pery Square and finishes on O'Connell Street in Limerick. The route passes the River Shannon, Georgian streets, and broad city roads through Limerick's main districts. Mostly flat with gentle undulations. Very flat throughout.
The Great Limerick Run Marathon course is mostly flat with gentle undulations over 42.195 km (26.2 miles). Runners cover 100 metres of climbing and 95 metres of descent, with a net climb of 5 metres from start to finish.
The Great Limerick Run Marathon uses open online registration at greatlimerickrun.com with no ballot or qualifying time for the general field. Sign-up for the May race typically opens the previous year and places are allocated first-come, first-served. Charity bibs are available through partner organisations when general entry closes.
Last updated 18 July 2026. Edition dates and course details are reviewed regularly.
Other races closest to Limerick.
The Cork City Marathon draws approximately 1,855 finishers each June through Ireland's rebel city on the River Lee. The course passes St. Fin Barre's Cathedral, the English Market, and the University College Cork campus on rolling Munster terrain. June's long Irish summer evenings and the warm Cork welcome make it the Republic's largest marathon outside Dublin.
Next race: Monday, 7 June 2027
The Thoroughbred Run Kildare Marathon draws approximately 1,200 finishers each June on a town and rural road in Kildare, Ireland. Its horse-country theme and National Stud passage give it a uniquely Kildare identity. The route passes the Irish National Stud, horse-country roads, and open county Kildare stretches. The Irish National Stud, horse-country roads, and open county Kildare stretches give June's race a uniquely equestrian identity on largely flat terrain.
Next race: Sunday, 6 June 2027
The Dublin Marathon is one of the world's largest marathons, drawing approximately 20k finishers on an urban road in Dublin, Ireland. The course starts in Fitzwilliam Square and finishes on Merrion Square. The route passes Trinity College, Phoenix Park, the Liffey quays, and Christ Church Cathedral. Mostly flat with gentle undulations on Liffey bridge crossings.
Next race: Sunday, 25 October 2026
The Belfast Marathon draws approximately 2,200 finishers on an urban road in Belfast, United Kingdom. The course starts and finishes at the City Hall. The route passes the Titanic Quarter, Stormont, and the Lagan towpath. Mostly flat with gentle undulations.
Next race: Sunday, 2 May 2027
The Marathon Eryri draws approximately 2,500 finishers each October on a mountain road in Llanberis, United Kingdom. It is one of the UK's iconic tough road marathons and rewards strength more than pace ambition. The course passes mountain lakes, steep Welsh road sections, and dramatic Snowdonia views almost throughout. Expect significant climbs on this hilly course.
Next race: Sunday, 4 October 2026
When a flat course helps your time, when hills are worth the view, and how to pick terrain that fits your training and goals.
Read guide →
How major marathons allocate places — open entry, lotteries, charity bibs, tour operators, and what to check before you commit to a trip.
Read guide →
How temperature, humidity, wind, and rain affect marathon performance — and how to use typical race-day weather when choosing a start line.
Read guide →