€1,000 up for grabs for Best Dressed Club at Dublin Half Marathon
Forget finishing times, as Dublin runners can chase a different kind of prize with €1,000 up for grabs for the Best Dressed Club at the Dublin City Half Marathon.
Dublin City Council is continuing its sponsorship of the half marathon taking place on May 3, with €1,000 going toward the most fashionable club and €500 for the best sign on the day. To enter, participants simply share a photo on Instagram and tag the official event account.
This sold out 21.1km race kicks off in the heart of Dublin city on O’Connell Street and aligns with the aims of the council’s Sports Plan of making physical activity more accessible, particularly for teenage girls, older adults, and communities facing barriers to participation. Working in partnership with Athletics Ireland and the Dublin Marathon Group, the council also supports participants with a comprehensive package of resources, including training and nutrition plans.
A new series of ‘Champion’ videos will also highlight runners from across the city, as they prepare for that all important race day. In preparation, Dublin City Council brought together Lord Mayor Councillor Ray McAdam and members from 18 running clubs for a special community event and race briefing in Irishtown last week.
“I encourage everyone to come along and show their support for the runners taking part in this year’s Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon 2026. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the dedication, spirit and energy that make this event so special. I am continually inspired by the commitment of individuals and communities right across the city,” Lord Mayor McAdam stated.
“Public support makes a huge difference on the day, lifting our participants and creating an unforgettable atmosphere. I hope to see families, neighbours and supporters from every corner of Dublin cheering on the runners this May. Together, we can make the 2026 Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon a truly memorable occasion for the whole city.”
Last year, Killian Mooney and Nichola Sheridan made history as the inaugural winners of the race’s first outing . Beating out 12,000 other competitors, Mr Mooney earned the top €2,500 prize with a time of 1:05:40 for Dundrum South Dublin AC.
In the women’s race, Ms Sheridan came out on top, passing the finish line at 1:18:00. Running for Bohermeen AC, her win was even more impressive considering she’d attended her sister’s hen party the previous night.
Deputy Chief Executive Eileen Quinlivan said the council “is delighted to once again be the title sponsor of the Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon.” “We’re also encouraging wider community involvement through creative competition prizes that will bring added colour and fun to this year’s event,” she said.
“This approach supports our community engagement programme and delivers on a key objective of our Sports Plan 2024–2029, which is to get more people in the city more active, more often. Together with Athletics Ireland and the Dublin Marathon Group, we look forward to a vibrant celebration of movement and community across Dublin."
The Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, May 3. The race is sold out, but spectators can still show their support with a fun sign, and potentially nap that €500 prize.