FAQ

The Full Marathon commences at 8:15am and the Half Marathon commences at 10:15am.
The 10k race commences at 8:45am, assembly for this race will commence at 8:15am at Merchant’s Quay.
Please note any race start times might change slightly in the next few weeks and we will update any changes here

No, you must collect your race pack, including bib and chip, at registration in Cork City Hall on Friday or the day before the race. If you can’t make it to registration yourself, you may give your registration form (with the barcode) to someone else so they can pick it up for you. Please make sure they know your Date of Birth and your mobile number. Registration is in Cork City Hall on either Friday 2nd June (12pm-7pm) or Saturday 3rd June (11am–6pm).

Yes, in Cork City Hall on Sunday June 4th, we’ll open from about 7am until about 5pm.

Race tickets are available until Thursday 1st June Midnight or until fully booked.

We recommend you book early to avoid disappointment.

It is greatly discouraged to use any type of headphones during the race. A runner who uses headphones is less aware of their surroundings. People with headphones can’t hear people behind them passing them out and can’t hear instructions from pacers and stewards such as ‘to watch the kerb on the left’ etc. It takes away from their concentration. Thus, runners who wear headphones are more susceptible to injury. Therefore we ask all runners to not wear any type of headphones during the race to make the event safer for everyone.

Yes, you can absolutely wear a hydration pack when running a marathon or any race. Just remember you want to wear it while training as well, so there is nothing new for you on race day.

More and more runners bring their own hydration backpack, bottles or vests to races now to cut down on plastic bottles – a great way to protect the planet.

Yes, absolutely! Either two small handhelds (one in each hand for even weight distribution) or one handheld will do the trick for shorter run. Flasks are great because they’re there when you need them, and you can stash them when you don’t.

If you only want one, pass it back and forth between hands each mile—it’ll prevent you from developing imbalances and give you something to focus on as the miles tick by..

If you prefer to stow your necessities on your waist, a lumbar pack or belt are ideal. Placing the weight of water on the small of your back in the centre is the best place to distribute that weight without throwing off your form. Plus, packs have room to stow your fluids and other fuel or gear you may need such as gels, snacks, or sunscreen.

Another option would be running vest, which is popular among trail and ultra runners.

More and more runners bring their own hydration backpack, bottles or vests to races now to cut down on plastic bottles – a great way to protect the planet.

Yes we will have some brilliant pacers for the marathon to help you.
The Cork City Marathon has a professional vastly experienced team of pacers placed at every 15 minutes starting at 3hours and ending at 5 hours. Some of our Pacers have represented their countries, some are ultra-marathon runners and all have bags of experience. The pacers (at least 2 at each time slot) will run the race at an even pace and finish the race just under their predicted time.

Pacers will generally cross the line 30 seconds ahead of schedule to allow for runners who are struggling over the last mile of the race to get in on time. Pacers pace chip time rather than gun time so don’t panic when you see the clock coming at the finish line the pacer will be pacing according to when they crossed the start line so it’s important to start in the correct area where your pacer is.

Yes, toilets will be available in City Hall, close to the start line and at the finish line. We will also have a few on the course, the location will be finalised and announced closer to the event.

Yes, all bibs are time chipped which means your start time will be read when you cross the start line and logged when you cross the finish line. All results will be found after the race on our website and on the app (details on this will be published closer to the race).

Yes, we are working with Marathon Photos together who will take photos of all finishers. Your photos can be found later through your race number and purchased with Marathon Photos directly.

There will be 13 water stations across the course. On the course map and programme, you will be able to see their locations. Please see the route map for information.

Under no circumstances can anyone not registered or any child join the course. It is in our best interest to keep everyone safe and by doing this injury to both runners and children will be difficult to avoid.

No, there are no shower facilities after the race.

We want everyone to have a fun, fair and safe experience.

Disqualification can be enforced should anyone:

• Deviate from the official run route
• Behave in an unsportsman/womanlike manner
• Display antisocial or disruptive behaviour towards fellow runners, spectators, volunteers or race officials
• Refuse to follow race officials’ instructions
• Publicly urinate or be publicly intoxicated
• Tamper with the integrity of the race e.g. tampering with timing chip/switching racing bibs

Yes. The Cork City Marathon is certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) as a full marathon course. The Cork Marathon is also a full member of AIMS (Association of International Marathons).

Yes. Walkers are very welcome to participate. Although there isn’t a separate category for walkers, the course time limit of 6 hours should allow most walkers to cross the finish line. However, please note that in order to facilitate critical road reopenings:

• You must reach the Jack Lynch Tunnel (mile 7.2) 2 hours after the start.
• You must reach the South Link Road (mile 17.6) no later than 4 hours after the start. Both of these cut-off times are achievable at a pace of about 13.5mins/mile.
• 6 hours after the start, all roads will be re-opened and anyone left on the course may be asked to move onto the pavements and adhere to normal traffic regulations.

Each marathon participant will wear a timing chip in your race number bib. This will automatically log your start and finish time. Your official race time is gun-to-chip but your chip time will also be listed in the results. The race results will be posted on our website shortly after the race finishes.

Yes! Everyone who finishes will receive a Cork City Marathon Medal.

Overall, the Cork City Marathon course is flatter than most marathons in Ireland. We start at 10 metres elevation and the greatest elevation will be around the 30-35km mark with a maximum of 35 metres elevation.

The course is officially measured in miles, so the marking on the day will also be in miles. There will, however, be kilometre marks every 5km for the full marathon course.

Yes. The Cork City Half Marathon is certified by Athletics Ireland.

Yes. Walkers are very welcome to participate. Although there isn’t a separate category for walkers, the course time limit should allow most walkers to cross the finish line. After 3.5 hours roads will be re-opened and anyone left on the course may be asked to move onto the pavements and adhere to normal traffic regulations.

Each half-marathon participant will wear a timing chip in your race number bib. This will automatically log your start and finish time. Your official race time is gun-to-chip but your chip time will also be listed in the results. The race results will be posted on our website shortly after the race finishes.

Yes! Everyone who finishes will receive a Cork City Half Marathon Medal.

The 10K route can by run in teams from 2+ members. The team leader can register their team name when purchasing their ticket. The additional team members can select their team name when registering.

Yes, if you cross the finish line, you get a special 10K medal. You can also get a t-shirt or alternatively you can contribute towards tree planting.

Yes, there will be prizes for individual 10K runners and teams. You can find more information on the page 'Races - 10k race'.

10k team prize rules

For teams to qualify, they must have a minimum of 4 runners registered to run the race. To be eligible to win the 10k team prize, mixed teams must have at least two female runners.

The team’s results will be calculated on the fastest team based on finishing positions. There will be one prize each for the fastest male, female and mixed team (minimum two females).

If a team has more than four runners, the result will be calculated based on the top four runner’s finishing positions.

In an event of a draw, the winning team with the highest finisher place will win.

The race will begin at 08:45 on St Patrick Street, following the start of the full marathon. Runners will proceed down St Patrick Street and outwards onto Washington Street/Western Road. From there, they will turn onto Mardyke walk and cross the river via Mardyke Bridge. The route will continue on the Banks of the Lee walkway before re-entering the city roads at the North Quay, proceeding along Popes Quay, and following the full marathon route out the N20 to its turnaround point. Once back in the city, the runners will turn left onto St Patricks Quay and cross the river again via Brian Boru Bridge. On the south side of the river, the race will move along Merchants Quay, turn onto North Main Street, and return to Washington Street before finishing on St Patricks Street.

Yes, the team leader registers first and registers the team name. Then the team members each individually register their details and can select the team name during registration.

As with the marathon, your official time is from the starting gun to the chipped finish time. Everybody’s result will be published on the official race result website.

Yes there will be a water station during the 10K run. Please see route map for more info.

Registration is online (link to EventMaster.ie opens in new window) and you should register your team as soon as possible. At least one member of each 10K team must come to Cork City Hall to pick up your team’s race pack.

The entry fee covers:

• the race
• water stations throughout the race with water and lucozade
• medical support
• Runner’s bib
• Runner’s t-shirt or support to plant a tree & finisher medal
• Goodie bag
• Post race refreshments
• Chip timing for an A.A.I certified race

When you received your registration email, you also got an email to activate your Event Master Account. If you activate or login to your account you can see your tickets/orders. In the bottom left, you can see a green/blue button that says “Edit.” If you click that button you can edit details including your tshirt size and athletic club.

No, this ability closed on May 20th and is no longer available.

Yes, but only before May 20th (Deadline extended from April 14th) deadline, you can change from a Full Marathon ticket to a Half Marathon Ticket. Changing of the ticket type will cancel your current ticket and creates a new one with selected ticket type, so please note this cannot be undone. When you received your registration email, you also got an email to activate your Event Master Account. If you activate or login to your account you can see your tickets/orders. Below your order, you can see a green/blue button that says “Change Ticket.” Clicking on this, you will be able to select to change your ticket. Please note there is no partial refund in changing from a Full Marathon Ticket to a Half Marathon Ticket or any other lower value ticket. After May 20th, it is not possible to change your ticket type and no ticket changes can be facilitated.

If your first ticket was an early bird ticket and that price is lower than the new ticket you want to change to, you have to pay the difference. However you still have the benefit of changing races and your race will be timed and listed on official race times.

Yes, but only before May 20th (Deadline extended from April 14th) deadline, you can change from a Half Marathon ticket to a Full Marathon Ticket. Changing of the ticket type will cancel your current ticket and creates a new one with selected ticket type, so please note this cannot be undone.
When you received your registration email, you also got an email to activate your Event Master Account. If you activate or login to your account you can see your tickets/orders. Below your order, you can see a green/blue button that says “Change Ticket.” Clicking on this, you will be able to select to change your ticket and the difference in cost to be paid. Please note there is an additional cost in changing from a Half Marathon Ticket to a Full Marathon Ticket due to the difference in ticket pricing. After May 20th, it is not possible to change your ticket type and no ticket changes can be facilitated.

Yes, but only before May 20th (Deadline extended from April 14th) deadline, you can change from a Full Marathon ticket/Half Marathon Ticket to a 10K Race.
Changing of the ticket type will cancel your current ticket and creates a new one with selected ticket type, so please note this cannot be undone. When you received your registration email, you also got an email to activate your Event Master Account. If you activate or login to your account you can see your tickets/orders. Below your order, you can see a green/blue button that says “Change Ticket.” Clicking on this, you will be able to select to change your ticket. Please note there is no partial refund in changing from a Full Marathon Ticket to a 10K Ticket or Half Marathon Ticket or any other lower value ticket. After May 20th, it is not possible to change your ticket type and no ticket changes can be facilitated.

If your first ticket was an early bird ticket and that price is lower than the new ticket you want to change to, you have to pay the difference. However you still have the benefit of changing races and your race will be timed and listed on official race times.

No, to protect the integrity of the race and for health and safety reasons, you cannot. Should a runner get into difficulty, the medical team will use the medical information associated with the race number of the runner. However, you can pass your registration to someone else in advance of the race which is explained in this FAQ section.

Registration for concession tickets will close on Sunday the 14th of May.