New Start and Finish Line for 2026 Analog Devices Cork City Marathon

A new start and finish line at Grand Parade has been announced for the 2026 Analog Devices Cork City Marathon. 

Under the new plan, all three races - the Marathon, Half Marathon and 10K – will also finish outside the library on Grand Parade. The full marathon will start on Grand Parade, the 10k will start on the South Mall, while the half marathon will continue to begin on Monahan Road.

Race organisers at Cork City Council designed the changes to improve safety, increase capacity, and create a stronger city-centre experience for runners and spectators. The wider streets and footpaths of Grand Parade and South Mall will provide a more suitable setting for a major city sporting event.

Developed in partnership with title sponsor Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), whose long-term support has helped drive the sustainable growth of the event, and with the support of local agencies, it marks a significant step forward in the evolution of the event.

Organisers say the revised layout will allow the race to accommodate more runners, while also removing narrower sections of the course and improving operational access for emergency services. The changes will also improve separation between runners and the public, allow more time for race build and infrastructure, and minimise disruption for businesses, particularly along St. Patrick’s Street.

The new start and finish line reconnects the race with a historic sporting location in the city. Grand Parade and South Mall previously hosted Cork’s marathon events in the 1980s and were the setting for the well-known Kellogg’s Criterium cycle races, events that once brought large crowds and a festival atmosphere to the city centre.

A number of route changes will be introduced for the 2026 race. The full marathon will now run up St. Patrick’s Street at the start, reversing the direction used in previous years. Runners will then cross the River Lee at North Gate Bridge as the route heads towards Blackpool. Both the full and half marathons will no longer run down Slí Cumann na mBan. Instead, runners will travel from Mardyke Walk directly onto Washington Street before finishing on the Grand Parade.

The 10K route remains largely unchanged from last year, with the primary adjustments being the relocation of the start to South Mall and the finish to Grand Parade.  Minor route adjustments will also take place in the Ballyphehane area.

Updated route maps will be available at analogdevicescorkcitymarathon.ie and on social media channels once official measurements have been concluded.

The Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, welcomed confirmation of the marathon’s new start and finish line. "The Analog Devices Cork City Marathon is a great day in our civic calendar, and Cork City Council takes great pride in organising and staging the event. The marathon brings thousands of people together in the city for a wonderful sporting event, which showcases the best of our city.”

The Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Valerie O’Sullivan said the route changes reflect the City Council’s commitment to ensuring the hugely popular event grows safely and sustainably as participant numbers continue to rise. “The changes announced today will enhance the entire marathon experience for runners and spectators alike, while ensuring the city can celebrate the joy and energy the marathon brings to the streets every year,” the Chief Executive said.

Race director Eamon Hayes said the changes represent an important milestone for the event. “The move to Grand Parade marks a really exciting moment for the Analog Devices Cork City Marathon. Not only does it allow us to welcome more runners, but it also reconnects the race with a historic sporting location in the city centre,” he said.  “With the continued support of Analog Devices and our partners across the city, we are committed to evolving the event year on year to deliver an even better experience for participants and spectators.” Eamon added.
Elaine Embleton, Senior Director and Head of HR EMEA at ADI said the collaboration has been key to enhancing the participant experience. “From the onset, one of our ambitions in supporting the Cork City Marathon was to help the event grow in a meaningful and sustainable way, while continuing to support athletes, community groups and inclusive initiatives. That progress reflects the strong collaboration between ADI, Cork City Council, the emergency and public services and partners across the city, whose shared commitment is to share a positive and inclusive experience for participants. It is encouraging to see how the marathon continues to evolve, and how race day is shaping up as a memorable occasion for everyone involved.”

The Analog Devices Cork City Marathon returns on Sunday, 31 May 2026, when thousands of runners from Cork, across Ireland and around the world, will once again take to the streets of the city.  A limited number of charity places remain available as part of the expanded capacity, through participating charities. For more information, visit www.analogdevicescorkcitymarathon.ie or contact a participating charity directly.