With less than four weeks to go until the 2026 Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon, organisers have unveiled the official finisher’s medal for this year’s race, drawing inspiration from Dublin’s North East Inner-City, the legacy of Luke Kelly, and the community spirit that defines the event.
The medal design pays tribute to the legendary Luke Kelly, iconic member of The Dubliners and proud son of Sheriff Street, whose connection to the race route is reflected through the inclusion of the Luke Kelly statue created by sculptor Vera Klute.
Located just steps from the race finish line, the statue has become a symbolic landmark for participants completing the 21.1km course on Sunday, May 3rd, grounding runners in the streets, stories and community that shape the event.
The design also incorporates detailing inspired by the musical notes of Kelly’s banjo, reflecting the race’s “Run Together, Thrive Together” ethos and the collective energy of race day as runners, volunteers, families and supporters come together across the city.
Race Director Jim Aughney said the medal was designed to capture the emotional significance of the finish-line experience.
“Crossing the finish line is one of the most emotional moments of any race, and this medal aims to capture that through the authentic spirit of the North East Inner-City,” he said.
“At its heart, this race is about people coming together, and this design is a reminder that, whether through music or running, we are all connected.”
Dublin Marathon Group CEO Seán Ó Riain said the organisation was grateful for the support shown in bringing the design to life.
“We are grateful to the Kelly family and to sculptor Vera Klute for their support and for granting permission to feature the Luke Kelly statue as part of the 2026 finisher’s medal design,” he said.
“The medal captures the streets, stories and community spirit that welcome runners home, embodying the spirit of ‘Run Together, Thrive Together.’”
The Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon has rapidly established itself as one of the capital’s premier participation events, combining mass-participation running with a strong sense of local identity and civic pride.
Sport for Business Perspective
The continued emphasis on place-making and community storytelling around the Dublin City Half Marathon demonstrates how participation events can deepen their emotional connection with entrants by embedding themselves in local culture. By aligning the race with recognisable Dublin icons and neighbourhood identity, Dublin Marathon Group is enhancing the event’s distinctiveness in an increasingly competitive endurance market.
Image Credit: Dublin Marathon and David Fitzgerald Sportsfile
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