Entry to 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon will occur through a lottery system

The KBC Dublin Marathon race organisers have today announced that registration for the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon will occur through a lottery system instead of the first-come, first-served online process. This decision was made as a result of the increased demand for race entries.  

Jim Aughney Race Director said: “Many races that have more interested runners than they can accommodate have moved to a lottery registration system in recent years. Demand for the Dublin Marathon has never been greater, and we believe the lottery is the fairest system to offer all runners the same opportunity to participate.”

This change comes after registration demand for the 2019 edition of the marathon could not be met despite the addition of 2,500 places.

Entry to the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon lottery will be open from the 1st November to 30th November 2019 ONLY. 

There will be a registration fee of €15 per lottery entry which will be fully refundable if the applicant is not successful and fully redeemable against entry fee if the applicant is successful. Registrants will learn their entry status via SMS and email between 3rd January to 10th January. Successful entrants will have until 31st January 2020 to redeem the offer.

Any initial places not redeemed by 31st January 2020 will be re-allocated by lottery to entrants who were not successful. The applicants will learn their entry status via SMS and email between the 4th February to 7^th February 2020. These offers must be redeemed by 14th February 2020.

Some questions answered

1. Do runners that have run the Marathon get priority in the lottery system?

The lottery system offers all runners the same opportunity to participate and will not give precedence to those who have already run a Dublin Marathon. The race has moved to a lottery system in the interest of fairness instead of the first-come, first-served online process due to increased demand.

2. I have run in the Dublin Marathon for the last X years is there no lottery allocation for loyal marathon runners?

The race has moved to a lottery system in the interest of fairness instead of the first-come, first-served online process due to increased demand.

3. I am training for the marathon with a friend, what if only one of us gets an entry and the other does not?

The lottery system offers all runners the same opportunity to participate and will not give precedence to those who have already run a Dublin Marathon. The race has moved to a lottery system in the interest of fairness instead of the first-come, first-served online process due to increased demand.

4. Can I give my lottery allocation to another runner?

Refund option opens from June 2nd to June 15th, 2020. A refund of 70% of the entry fee will be returned once your application has been accepted. The refund will be available on “Manage My Bookings” from your entry confirmation link. This will be the only opportunity to avail of a refund for 2020.

5. How many Irish runners will be allocated places in the event?

The lottery system employed will ensure the current balance of Irish and overseas runners and runners of all abilities is maintained.

6. What happens to the 30% of my fee that I do not get back if I seek a refund?

30% of your fee is to cover the administration cost of processing.

NOTES

• There will be 22,500 places available for the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon, with a number of these places allocated to Athletics Ireland membership. Athletics Ireland members will qualify under the Good For Age standards and can apply on April 1st and must have a valid Athletics Ireland membership.
• Lottery event open to the public from November 1st to Saturday 30th November at midnight via a public webpage which will be hosted by Eventmaster. This will be the only time period of which an application for entry to the KBC Dublin Marathon can be made.
• Applicants will be obligated to enter all registrant information required to satisfy the 2020 event and will be charged €15 to enter. This fee will be refunded if not successful by the end of August 2020 or will be offset against entry fee if successful.
• KBC Dublin Marathon to select successful lottery applications randomly but in a manner to ensure that the current balance of Irish and overseas runners and runners of all abilities is maintained.
• Eventmaster will issue SMS to be sent to the successful applicants with a direct link to register for the event. Access link will direct the user to their registration page on the 2020 marathon event with the data from the lottery pre-populated – Name, email, gender, DOB, mobile will not be editable, ensuring that only the selected applicant can use that lottery link. Fee of €75 to enter (€90 less €15 already paid) + additional purchases and booking fee (€3) as normal. Successful applicants will have until MIDNIGHT 31st January to use the link. Email reminders will be issued.
• Applicants who have been unsuccessful with will receive an email to inform them.
• Any places not redeemed will be offered via lottery system to those originally unsuccessful from 4th February to 7th February 2020 with offers needing to be redeemed by 14th February.
• Refund option opens from June 2nd to June 15^th, 2020. A refund of 70% of the entry fee will be returned once your application has been accepted. The refund will be available on “Manage My Bookings” from your entry confirmation link. This will be the only opportunity to avail of a refund for 2020.
• Any unallocated numbers to be offered to any unsuccessful lottery applicants on July 1^st -July 7th, 2020 with offers needing to be redeemed by 14th July.
• Refund issued of €15 to those that were unsuccessful