Thousands of runners and supporters to attend Cork City Marathon this Sunday - Public encouraged to line the streets

The 2026 Analog Devices Cork City Marathon will take place in Cork city on Sunday, May 31, with 12,300 runners competing across the full marathon, half marathon, and 10k. The event is expected to draw around 25,000 spectators, supported by 1,000 staff and volunteers. Race-day consumption is estimated at 12,000 bananas and 100,000 bottles of water. A major change introduces a new city centre start and finish line on Grand Parade, designed to support growth by improving safety, increasing capacity, and strengthening the experience for participants and spectators. Organisers encourage planning for race weekend atmosphere and travel. The full marathon starts at 8.15am on Grand Parade, with controlled entry via South Mall Junction and Parnell Place.

"Thousands of runners and supporters will descend on Cork city this Sunday, May 31 as the 2026 Analog Devices Cork City Marathon takes place. A total of 12,300 runners will take part across the full marathon, half marathon and 10k race. The event is expected to attract approximately 25,000 spectators, supported by 1,000 staff and volunteers. On race day, participants will consume an estimated 12,000 bananas and 100,000 bottles of water."

"This year's event introduces a major change, with a new city centre start and finish line on Grand Parade. Designed to support the continued growth of the Analog Devices Cork City Marathon, the updated route will improve safety, increase capacity and create a stronger race-day experience for participants and spectators alike. Organisers are encouraging everyone, whether taking part, supporting from the sidelines or moving through the city, to plan and make the most of the atmosphere across race weekend."

"The full marathon will start on Grand Parade at 8.15am. Runners can only enter the 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 10k race will start on South Mall at 8.45am. 10k runners can assemble from 8am on Parnell Place and will be escorted down South Mall from 8.20am after the full marathon has started and through the bib number check."

"The half marathon will start on Monahan Road and there will be two waves. Runners will assemble in Kennedy Park in their chosen wave. The first wave starts at 10.15. This will include the 1.30, 1.40, 1.45 and 1.50 pacers. The second wave lead by the two-hour pacers will start at 10.30am. Runners should pick the wave appropriate to their predicted finishing time. However, club runners running in the national championship must run in wave 1 regardless of predicted time as national championship results are done by gun time."

Read at Irish Independent