Dublin Marathon 2026: record field as Ethiopians Lesa and Jebesa win

The 2026 Dublin Marathon, run on Sunday, October 25, 2026, drew the biggest field in the race's history, with organisers counting a record 19,190 participants on a cold, wet and windy morning. Ethiopia's Abay Alemu Lesa won the men's race in 2 hours 10 minutes and 28 seconds after a duel decided on the final turn, and Zenebu Fikdau Jebesa won the women's race in 2:24:26, leading an all-Ethiopian women's podium. Runners had raised about 5.6 million euros for charity by the end of the day, according to reports.

Big-city marathons have become one of the clearest signs of how fitness culture has changed. A race that once belonged to a few hundred serious athletes now draws tens of thousands of ordinary people, many of them running their first 42.2 kilometres. For young runners, the appeal is not only the medal. Training for a marathon gives a fixed goal, a weekly routine and, through running clubs and charity teams, a ready-made social circle.

The weather made this year's race a test of preparation. Cold rain and wind slow runners down and raise the risk of the body cooling too quickly, especially for those who walk the later stages. The winning times reflect that: Jebesa came close to the women's course record despite the conditions, and the men's race stayed tactical until the last corner. For first-timers, finishing in such weather says more about consistent training, sensible pacing and the right clothing than about speed.

The charity figure is a reminder of how mass running has turned into one of the largest grassroots fundraising events in many countries. Each charity place usually comes with a fundraising target, and runners spend months asking friends, family and colleagues to sponsor their miles. Dublin's 5.6 million euros came from thousands of such small efforts.

For Indian readers, Dublin's numbers mirror what is happening at home, where city marathons and half marathons now attract large fields of young professionals and students. The lessons from Dublin carry over: build up mileage over months rather than weeks, practise in the conditions expected on race day, and treat the event as part of a long-term fitness habit rather than a one-off challenge. Anyone with a heart condition or other health concern should get medical advice before training for an endurance race.

Short-term: The record field and the charity total give Dublin's organisers a strong case to keep expanding the race, and thousands of first-time finishers now have a marathon behind them.

Long-term: Growth in mass participation suggests running will keep its place as one of the most popular low-cost fitness habits for young adults, with running clubs and charity teams serving as social networks as much as training groups.

Who is affected: Recreational runners, especially young people looking for a structured fitness goal; running clubs; charities that rely on marathon fundraising; and race organisers in other cities, including in India, who watch participation trends.

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