Start your running year strong at the Dundalk Half Marathon & 10K — a fantastic early-season race that brings runners together for a morning of energy, atmosphere, and achievement. Whether you’re building toward a bigger goal or simply want to enjoy a great race day experience, Dundalk delivers a welcoming event for runners of all levels.
THE RACE BEGINS IN
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Event Overview
From the moment you step up to the start on Francis Street, you’ll feel the buzz of race day, with music in the air, volunteers and spectators ready to cheer you on. Whether you’re racing with a group of friends, chasing a new goal, or simply motivated to take part, Dundalk delivers a course that’s as scenic as it is satisfying, with a lively atmosphere from start to finish.
What's Included
Every Bear Races event is designed to deliver a professional, enjoyable, and rewarding experience from start to finish.
Your Entry Includes:
- Professionally measured and certified course
- Chip timing for accurate results
- Finisher’s medal
- Finish-line refreshments
- Fully marshalled closed-road course
- 15% off at Life Style Sports for all participants
Medal Reveal
Start & Finish Line Location
Start: Francis Street, Dundalk
Finish: Earl Street, Dundalk
Parking
Recommended nearby parking:
- Long Walk Car Park
- Distillery Lane Car Park
Participants are encouraged to arrive early, carpool, or use public transport where possible.
Bag Drop
Located at Market Square, open from 8:15am.
Cut-Off Time
3.5 hours from the Half Marathon start.
Participants outside this time will be asked to move to the footpaths.
Schedule & Waves
- 10km: 10:00am
- Half Marathon: 10:20am
The race will start in waves. Your timing begins when you cross the start mat, so there’s no need to rush.
Pacers
- Half Marathon pacers available for:
- 1:30
- 1:40
- 1:50
- 2:00
- 2:10
Race Numbers
Posted:
All runners registered 3 weeks before the event date received numbers by post.
Collection Required:
You must collect your number if:
- You registered within 3 weeks of the event
- You supplied an overseas address
- Your address was incomplete
- Collection Location:
- Saturday 30th January Lifestyle Sports Dundalk Time TBC
- Sunday 31st January (Race day) Market Square Marquee 08:00-09:45am
Route Information
The Dundalk course is designed to showcase the best of this vibrant town while delivering a smooth and enjoyable race experience. Starting on Francis Street in the centre of town, you’ll set off into a route that wraps through Dundalk’s lively streets before venturing into open, rolling terrain, giving you a balance of pace, scenery, and rhythm.
For 10K runners, it’s one unforgettable lap; for Half Marathon participants, it’s two laps of the same course — meaning you’ll get to know every kilometre and feed off the energy around you. The route is fully closed to traffic, with clear signage, dedicated marshals, and a lead bike guiding the field for safety and confidence.
Life Style Sports Dundalk Half Marathon & 10K
Date
31/01/2027 10:00 am
Distance
Half Marathon & 10K
Max Elevation
Terrain
FAQs
The rules are to ensure that everyone enjoys a fun, safe and fair event!
1. Please obey the Stewards and Gardai at all times.
2. Please keep to the course cut-off time deadlines.
3. Do not take any shortcuts off the course. You are only cheating yourself.
4. Runners must have their number clearly visible on the front of their running top.
5. Runners who finish the race without a number will not receive a finisher’s medal. There will be no exceptions to this.
6. Outside assistance is not allowed. You may carry your own food or drink but support from cars or bikes is strictly prohibited. This is in the interest of safety and of giving everyone an equal chance.
7. Do not leave valuables in bags left at the bag drop. The organisers cannot accept responsibility for lost, stolen or mislaid bags.
8. It is the responsibility of participants to know the route and change over points.
9. You must register and sign the waiver to be part of the race. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting the race.
No, refunds are not available.
Yes – entries can ‘usually’ be transferred to another runner by submitting an official name change request to our team. Name changes can usually be accommodated up until race numbers have been allocated. No changes can be made after this.
If you are not registered for the event in your own name and have not completed the online race waiver as part of the event registration, you are NOT permitted to run. The race entry and race number are allocated to the original purchaser. We would not have any of the emergency contact or medical details for you if you ran on their number and should there be a medical incident we would not know who you were! It is also unfair to other participants when a male runs on a number allocated to a female and visa versa and can cause someone to miss out on their rightful placing as the results will display under the original entry owners name and age/gender category!
Yes, this can usually be accommodated. It is possible to change to any distance if its not sold out. Please note if changing down you will not receive a refund and if changing up, you must pay the difference. Distance Change Requests should be sent by email to Support@bearraces.ie
Should the event be postponed due to occurrences outside the control of the event organiser, the event organiser reserves the right to reschedule the event to a future date. Those registered for the event will be accommodated on the rescheduled event date. If the rescheduled event date does not suit the individuals needs, the event organiser will offer a deferral to the next year’s event.
All Athletics Ireland licenced events require participants to be licenced. If you hold annual membership you are covered. Please add your membership details when prompted. If not, you need to add a one-day licence (€2.00) to your registration. These fees do not come to the event organisers, they go direct to Athletics Ireland to support their work and development of the sport.
Yes- you can register up to 10 people in one order online. For groups of 10+ participants we can assist you with a group entry. There are discounts available for groups. please contact us at groups@bearraces.ie
Yes – there is the option on the event registration form to create a fundraising page as part of the registration process.
It is usually possible to register on the day, unless the event/distance has already sold-out. Check socials for updates.
All Irish-based entries who signed up before the postalcut-off will receive their number in the post a week before the event. Anyone who signed up after this will have to collect their number. Overseas and incomplete addresses must collect their race number.
Yes – we can cancel the race number you were assignd and remove it from the race list. We will then be able to assign you a new race number at the help desk on the day or number collection session ahead of race day (if applicable). Please note there is a €20 replacement number fee.
Race numbers are dispatched two weeks prior to the event. Please allow a few days from this date, for yours to arrive. If you have not received it by the middle of race week, please reach out to support@bearraces.ie. You may have supplied an incomplete or incorrect address. We will be able to check and assist you accordingly.
Your number will be held for you to collect at one of the number collection sessions if you registered before the postal cut off and supplied an overseas address. Please come to the ‘Internationals’ collection point. If you registered after the postal cut-off date, you should collect from the main collection point.
All finishers get a unique medal to mark their achievement.
If you ordered additional Bear Races Running apparel, as an additional purchase, this is posted out separately, approx. two weeks from the date of order.
No – to receive a finishers medal you must attend and collect in person. We are not able to post anything out after the event.
We follow Athletics Ireland’s official guidance, minimum ages are; 6-Mile / 10km is 16yrs. Half Marathon / ¾ Marathon and Full Marathon distances, is 18yrs.
The race brief is typically sent out one week prior to the event and then again the day before the event. If you haven’t received the email, make sure and check your spam.
You should arrive well in advance of the start of the race, especially if you need to collect your race number. Give yourself time to prepare for the race, have a stretch and orient yourself with the start area. If you have your race number already, just arrive with it already pinned to you and you are all set and ready to run!
Events of Half marathon distance and above will have pacers. Pacers are typcically for the following times: Half Marathon: 1:30hrs, 1:40hrs, 1:50hrs, 2:00hrs and 2:10hrs.
3.5 hours
We welcome all abilities and we encourage everyone to take the event at their own pace. Please just be aware that there is a strict cut-off time of 3 hours and 30 minutes, so you’ll need to keep a pace that sees you finish within that window.
Yes
Bag drop will be located in the Market Square opening at 8:15am.
Yes — toilets are available at the start/finish area and along the route at approx. 5km and 16km
Along the route at 5km, 11km & 16km.
Cups of water are provided at each water station.
No, showers and changing facilities are not provided.
Yes, headphones are permitted. However, participants are responsible for remaining aware of marshals, Gardaí, pedestrians, and other runners at all times. Please keep the volume low enough to hear instructions.
No, unfortunately due to Health and safety, and insurance issues, we request you do not complete the event with your child.
Results can be found on our website under the results section after the event. Timing services supplied by www.myrunresults.com
No, there are no prizes awarded for placing in the event.
Event photos are available within 48 hours after the event and are provided by our official photography partner myrunphotos.ie
You will receive an email before and after the event with a link to the event Gallery.
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