Cork City Marathon: Road closures, course route, and everything else you need to know
The Full Marathon commences at 8:15 am (City Centre) and the Half Marathon commences at 10:15 am (Monahan Road), with road closures across the city to facilitate the race, with both full, half, and even 10k races fully sold out.
Those participating and indeed supporting are being asked to stay out of the city when driving if at all possible, and use public transport to get around, including the city's large Park & Ride facility, as well as suburban train networks if coming from the North or East of the county.
What's the route?
Both full and half-marathons tie up for much of the race, while the longer edition takes in a broader part of the city. The organisers say despite Cork's hills, the maximum elevation will be just 35 metres, and it takes in some of the city's most notable landmarks, as well as brand new road infrastructure projects.
The full marathon starts on St Patrick's Street, before heading up Leitrim Street, past the Heineken Brewery, and into Blackpool, before turning back into the city and heading down South Mall.
From there, elite runners will head past Tivoli and through the Jack Lynch Tunnel, before coming off the South Link at Mahon Point, and making their way through Mahon and down to Blackrock Castle, taking the line walk back to the city centre for the third time.
From there, the route heads out the city link road as far as the Blackash Park and Ride, past Musgrave Park and through Togher and Ballyphehane, passing the Lough on its way to UCC and out the Model Farm Road.
Runners will pass the site of the former Tennis Village before taking Inchigaggin Lane, back onto the Carrigrohane Road and down the Western Road before returning back to Patrick's Street for the finish line.
What does it mean for traffic?
Inevitably, the route, which hits all sides of the city, will cause traffic disruption and road closures. But they say knowledge is power, so here's where you need to avoid and when.
Jack Lynch Tunnel
Given that this is the part of the route with the highest traffic flow, it makes sense to start right here.
The tunnel will remain open for the duration of the day, but will operate a contra-flow system until 12 noon, it will fully reopen at 1 pm.
The Dunkettle Roundabout and interchange will both be closed until 1 pm. The Silversprings dual carriageway is closed until 1 pm inbound, but will remain open outbound.
City centre
The city centre streets will be closed most of the day. North Main Street, Liberty Street, Kyles Street, Adelaide Street and Castle Street will remain closed from 7 am to 4 pm, while St Patrick's Street is closed until 6 pm.
Washington Street will be down to a single lane inbound, while outbound will be closed from 8 am to 10 am. Further down the Western Road is down to one lane only from 8.30 to 9.30 am.
Disruption should be limited on Grand Parade, South Mall, Parnell Place, Merchant's Quay and Lavitt's Quay, which will all be open again by 10.30 am on Sunday morning.
St Patrick's Quay and Horgan's Quay are closed until noon, while the Lower Glanmire Road closes until 1 pm.
Blackpool
Blackpool village remains closed until 10.30 am while the bypass through Carroll's Quay reopens at 11.30 am.
Mahon/Blackrock
The line walkway does a lot of the heavy lifting here, but roads around Mahon Point and Skehard Road, as well as the Castle Road, remain closed until 1 pm.
The Centre Park Road and Victoria Road will also reopen at 1 pm.
Ballyphehane/Togher
Cork City Council are asking locals to check with local routes, but most major routes around the area, including Connolly Road, Tory Top Road, Pearse Road, and Tramore Road, will all be open again by 2 pm.
UCC area
Many of the students will probably still be turning over by the time the Magazine and College roads reopen by 2.30 pm.
That's also when Hartland's Avenue, Glasheen Road, Farranlea Road and Model Farm Road can expect to reopen.
Lee Fields
Roads around the Lee Fields, including Inchigaggin Lane (which will stay open to local traffic), Carrigrohane Road, as well as the Western Road and Mardyke Walk will reopen at 3 pm.
Cork City Council are calling on those coming into town at that time to avoid the area, and instead head through Sarsfields Road past Wilton Shopping Centre, and take the South Link road into the city instead.
Where to watch the race?
People are being encouraged to make their way along the route and support the incredible runners who take part in the event.
Cork City Council says that the best points to view the race from include:
St Patrick's Street/ Grand Parade/ anywhere in the city centre
Near the Elysian
St. Patrick's Bridge (seeing the race on both sides of the river)
Turners Cross
The Lough
Model Farm Road near MTU
So whether you're competing or supporting, we hope your race goes well, and yet another successful marathon takes place on the Banks of the Lee!
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Irish Independent
Cork City Marathon: Road closures, course route, and everything else you need to know
The Full Marathon commences at 8:15 am (City Centre) and the Half Marathon commences at 10:15 am (Monahan Road), with road closures across the city to facilitate the race, with both full, half, and even 10k races fully sold out. Those participating and indeed supporting are being asked to stay out of the city when driving if at all possible, and use public transport to get around, including the city's large Park & Ride facility, as well as suburban train networks if coming from the North or East of the county. What's the route? Both full and half-marathons tie up for much of the race, while the longer edition takes in a broader part of the city. The organisers say despite Cork's hills, the maximum elevation will be just 35 metres, and it takes in some of the city's most notable landmarks, as well as brand new road infrastructure projects. The full marathon starts on St Patrick's Street, before heading up Leitrim Street, past the Heineken Brewery, and into Blackpool, before turning back into the city and heading down South Mall. From there, elite runners will head past Tivoli and through the Jack Lynch Tunnel, before coming off the South Link at Mahon Point, and making their way through Mahon and down to Blackrock Castle, taking the line walk back to the city centre for the third time. From there, the route heads out the city link road as far as the Blackash Park and Ride, past Musgrave Park and through Togher and Ballyphehane, passing the Lough on its way to UCC and out the Model Farm Road. Runners will pass the site of the former Tennis Village before taking Inchigaggin Lane, back onto the Carrigrohane Road and down the Western Road before returning back to Patrick's Street for the finish line. What does it mean for traffic? Inevitably, the route, which hits all sides of the city, will cause traffic disruption and road closures. But they say knowledge is power, so here's where you need to avoid and when. Jack Lynch Tunnel Given that this is the part of the route with the highest traffic flow, it makes sense to start right here. The tunnel will remain open for the duration of the day, but will operate a contra-flow system until 12 noon, it will fully reopen at 1 pm. The Dunkettle Roundabout and interchange will both be closed until 1 pm. The Silversprings dual carriageway is closed until 1 pm inbound, but will remain open outbound. City centre The city centre streets will be closed most of the day. North Main Street, Liberty Street, Kyles Street, Adelaide Street and Castle Street will remain closed from 7 am to 4 pm, while St Patrick's Street is closed until 6 pm. Washington Street will be down to a single lane inbound, while outbound will be closed from 8 am to 10 am. Further down the Western Road is down to one lane only from 8.30 to 9.30 am. Disruption should be limited on Grand Parade, South Mall, Parnell Place, Merchant's Quay and Lavitt's Quay, which will all be open again by 10.30 am on Sunday morning. St Patrick's Quay and Horgan's Quay are closed until noon, while the Lower Glanmire Road closes until 1 pm. Blackpool Blackpool village remains closed until 10.30 am while the bypass through Carroll's Quay reopens at 11.30 am. Mahon/Blackrock The line walkway does a lot of the heavy lifting here, but roads around Mahon Point and Skehard Road, as well as the Castle Road, remain closed until 1 pm. The Centre Park Road and Victoria Road will also reopen at 1 pm. Ballyphehane/Togher Cork City Council are asking locals to check with local routes, but most major routes around the area, including Connolly Road, Tory Top Road, Pearse Road, and Tramore Road, will all be open again by 2 pm. UCC area Many of the students will probably still be turning over by the time the Magazine and College roads reopen by 2.30 pm. That's also when Hartland's Avenue, Glasheen Road, Farranlea Road and Model Farm Road can expect to reopen. Lee Fields Roads around the Lee Fields, including Inchigaggin Lane (which will stay open to local traffic), Carrigrohane Road, as well as the Western Road and Mardyke Walk will reopen at 3 pm. Cork City Council are calling on those coming into town at that time to avoid the area, and instead head through Sarsfields Road past Wilton Shopping Centre, and take the South Link road into the city instead. Where to watch the race? People are being encouraged to make their way along the route and support the incredible runners who take part in the event. Cork City Council says that the best points to view the race from include: St Patrick's Street/ Grand Parade/ anywhere in the city centre Near the Elysian St. Patrick's Bridge (seeing the race on both sides of the river) Turners Cross The Lough Model Farm Road near MTU So whether you're competing or supporting, we hope your race goes well, and yet another successful marathon takes place on the Banks of the Lee!
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Sold out Cork City Marathon set to bring festival atmosphere to city streets
The annual marathon which is organised by Cork City Council has become one of Ireland's most anticipated athletic events. It is more than just a race, it's a celebration of community, resilience, and shared ambition. From the excitement of the first runners charging from the starting point to the very last weary but triumphant participants crossing their way to the finish line, to the roar of the supporters, the event brings colour, energy, and positivity to the streets of Cork. Local communities, volunteers, spectators, and businesses all play their part in creating an unforgettable atmosphere for participants and supporters alike. It's also an occasion of celebration, as winners in each category are lauded and awarded their trophies, while all who cross the finish line receive the highly coveted Cork City Marathon finishers medal—an enduring symbol of achievement, effort, and spirit. The 2025 event is fully sold out, with entries for the Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K all snapped up well in advance. €250,000 charity fundraising target While the races themselves are the headline act, their impact runs much deeper. The marathon is a impactful opportunity for runners to support the causes they care about, with this year's campaign—'Your Race, Their Hope'—aiming to raise €250,000 for local and national charities. Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, praised the city-wide spirit that the event brings: 'It creates a festival feeling across the city, brings people together, and has benefits that ripple out through communities, businesses and charities. We're proud to host such an inclusive, positive event.' Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, added: 'The Cork City Marathon continues to showcase Cork at its best—welcoming, energetic and united. The people of Cork City are such an important part of this event.' Fundraising is part of what makes this event so meaningful,' declared Race Director Eamon Hayes said: 'We're encouraging every runner to make their miles matter, in a way that will have a positive impact well beyond race day. Whether it's a cause that has touched your life or one that inspires you, now is the time to get behind it.' As the final days of preparation begin, athletes are encouraged to stay focused and informed. With training plans entering their final phase, runners should prioritise good nutrition, hydration, and recovery. Now is also the time to familiarise themselves with essential race day logistics. Race day details: Start times and tracking information The full marathon kicks off at 8.15am on Patrick Street, followed by the 10k at the same location at 8.45am. The half marathon starts at Monahan Road at 10.15am. If you are following a friend, you can track their progress in real-time on the free Cork City Marathon race-tracking app downloadable from your app store of choice. Runners should also familiarise themselves with information on bag drop, race number collection, road closures, and course details—all of which are available at After-party and spectator information for marathon weekend Spectators can also look forward to a lively and inclusive day abuzz with the unique atmosphere that has become synonymous with race weekend in Cork The official race after-party hosted by The Runners Diary Podcast takes over the three floors of Clancy's on Princes Street, kicking off from 1pm. Whether you're running, volunteering, cheering from the sidelines, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Cork City Marathon 2025 promises to be an unforgettable day. Cork City Marathon is proudly supported by Cork City Council and Analog Devices Ireland with media partners Cork's 96fm and The Irish Examiner. For more information, visit or follow @corkcitymarathon on social media.
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
Excitement building ahead of Cork City Marathon which brings colour and energy to streets
The annual marathon which is organised by Cork City Council has become one of Ireland's most anticipated athletic events. It is more than just a race, it's a celebration of community, resilience, and shared ambition. From the excitement of the first runners charging from the starting point to the very last weary but triumphant participants crossing their way to the finish line, to the roar of the supporters, the event brings colour, energy, and positivity to the streets of Cork. Local communities, volunteers, spectators, and businesses all play their part in creating an unforgettable atmosphere for participants and supporters alike. It's also an occasion of celebration, as winners in each category are lauded and awarded their trophies, while all who cross the finish line receive the highly coveted Cork City Marathon finishers medal—an enduring symbol of achievement, effort, and spirit. The 2025 event is fully sold out, with entries for the Full Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K all snapped up well in advance. While the races themselves are the headline act, their impact runs much deeper. The marathon is a impactful opportunity for runners to support the causes they care about, with this year's campaign—'Your Race, Their Hope'—aiming to raise €250,000 for local and national charities. Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, praised the city-wide spirit that the event brings: 'It creates a festival feeling across the city, brings people together, and has benefits that ripple out through communities, businesses and charities. We're proud to host such an inclusive, positive event.' Valerie O'Sullivan, Chief Executive of Cork City Council, added: 'The Cork City Marathon continues to showcase Cork at its best—welcoming, energetic and united. The people of Cork City are such an important part of this event.' Fundraising is part of what makes this event so meaningful,' declared Race Director Eamon Hayes said: 'We're encouraging every runner to make their miles matter, in a way that will have a positive impact well beyond race day. Whether it's a cause that has touched your life or one that inspires you, now is the time to get behind it.' As the final days of preparation begin, athletes are encouraged to stay focused and informed. With training plans entering their final phase, runners should prioritise good nutrition, hydration, and recovery. Now is also the time to familiarise themselves with essential race day logistics. The full marathon kicks off at 8.15am on Patrick Street, followed by the 10k at the same location at 8.45am. The half marathon starts at Monahan Road at 10.15am. If you are following a friend, you can track their progress in real-time on the free Cork City Marathon race-tracking app downloadable from your app store of choice. Runners should also familiarise themselves with information on bag drop, race number collection, road closures, and course details—all of which are available at Spectators can also look forward to a lively and inclusive day abuzz with the unique atmosphere that has become synonymous with race weekend in Cork. The official race after-party hosted by The Runners Diary Podcast takes over the three floors of Clancy's on Princes Street, kicking off from 1pm. Whether you're running, volunteering, cheering from the sidelines, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, Cork City Marathon 2025 promises to be an unforgettable day. Cork City Marathon is proudly supported by Cork City Council and Analog Devices Ireland with media partners Cork's 96fm and The Irish Examiner.
