Here we aim to answer all the most frequently asked questions about the Griffith Avenue Mile. If there's anything we haven't addressed here, please drop us a note via our
contact page and we'll get back to you.
What is the Griffith Avenue Mile?
The Griffith Avenue Mile is a 1 mile road race on Dublins Griffith Avenue. It's primarily a run, but we cater for all ages and abilities so it's also possible to walk the route, and we also very much welcome wheelchair users. The event was first run as the Dublin Straight Mile in 1983. A committee of local residents and members of Marino Athletics Club brought the event back as a community event in September 2019, and after a break during the covid-19 pandemic we ran the event again in 2022 and again in 2023. The race is now an established annual event on the athletics and local community calendars and we look forward to running the event again this year.
When is the next race?
The 2024 event is currently in planning and will be held on Sunday September 22nd at 3pm.
I'm taking part. What are the logistics for the race?
We've posted a comprehensive
Race Weekend Information page here.
What is the history of thE race?
The race has an over 40 year history dating back to 1983 when the first race was held. You can read all about it
here.
Are you hosting a post race event?
We're very fortunate to have the incredible support of Dublin City University as a partner and sponsor, and they have given us access to their beautiful grounds at DCU All Hallows where we host a post race event with lots of surprises. Full details of our 2024 post race festival are here.
Will I receive a medal for taking part?
Absolutely! Every race participant - no matter which race they take part in, will receive a commemorative medal to remember the day.
Where can I buy my ticket?
2024 entries are now closed. Entries for future races will be announced in due course.
Can you help with a group booking?
We love groups! In previous years we had GAA teams, running clubs and all sorts of groups taking part and we'd love to see the same again. We have a group booking process opening soon. If you have an interest in booking your group, drop us an email at info@griffithavenuemile.ie with some details and we'll get back to you.
Can you post my race number to me?
Based on your feedback, we introduced postage of race numbers as an option in 2023 and we've done the same for 2024. You can also collect your race number at Race HQ prior to the race. Postage comes at an additional cost, which we've kept to a minimum. This service is optional, and you can choose it during the checkout process. NOTE: Due to postage cutoff dates, postage of race numbers is no longer available for 2024.
Can I purchase a t-shirt?
In 2023 we designed and offered a Griffith Avenue Mile t-shirt for sale for the first time and have decided not to do the same in 2024. We will consider doing so again in future.
Is this race for professionals or just for fun?
Both! If you are a professional runner and are keen to set an official time across a 1 mile distance, if you just run for fun, or if you are a family group who'd just like to walk the course on what would normally be a busy road, we're welcome for you all to join! This is a community event and open to everyone of all ages and abilities, though there is a limit on how many people can participate in the races for insurance reasons.
Is this race accessible for all?
Yes the race is accessible for all. We would ask that you get in touch in advance if you require assistance. Also for wheelchair users, just to let you know that there are accessible toilets available at our HQ which is based in DCU All Hallows on Grace Park road which will be open before and after the race. These toilets are located approximately 1km from the starting line.
What is the course?
The races will be run along a one mile course running from outside Dominican College to Ard Scoil Ris on Griffith Avenue. See image at the bottom of this page.
Will the Griffith Avenue Mile be accurately measured and Atheltics Ireland certified?
The course is accurately measured by Athletics Ireland’s official road measures and is Athletics Ireland certified. It is exactly 1 Mile starting close to the traffic lights at the Swords road end and finishing past Ard Scoil Ris at the Malahide Road end, just before the bend. Athletics Ireland have taken into account numbers participating and the road width and have made sure the minimum needed at the beginning and end was taken off the course to ensure an accurate mile. It is the same course that was run in 1983. One point to note is that the course is slightly down hill and as a result can not be used for record purposes.
What will it cost to participate?
An event like this is expensive to organise and run - even when it's not for profit. We therefore need to charge a fee for participants and all our entry prices are detailed
here. All participants will receive a commemorative medal.
What ages can race?
All ages! We have adult, child and family tickets available for sale. We're adjusting our classification for children this year reflecting that an adult is someone 18yrs or over on the day of the race. A child is classified as someone under 18 on the day of the race.
Are there prizes?
Yes, there are cash and merchandise prizes for the chip timed race across a range of categories. All participants will receive a commemorative medal.
I'd like to volunteer. How can I help?
Glad you asked! We need upwards of 100 volunteers on the day to manage a range of activities including marshalling, way-finding, participant support etc. We need your help. If you are willing to volunteer for a few hours on the afternoon of Sunday September 18th between 12 midday and 4pm, please email
volunteers@griffithavenuemile.ieIs there a limit to the number of participants?
For insurance reasons, we need to limit how many can participate in the run. So once the tickets are sold out, they are sold out. Register soon in order to avoid disappointment!
I'm not a runner. Even just for fun. Can I come along to support?
Of course - the more the merrier. Come support a friend or family member, or just come along and cheer for all our participants! And why not run or walk the route anyway? The event is open to runners of all standards.
Will there be road closures?
Yes. The race will require us to divert traffic away from Griffith Avenue along the course for a few hours during the afternoon of the race. Full details of
the 2024 road closure are posted here. This will effectively close Griffith Avenue between the Swords Road and the Malahide Road during this time. We are working closely with An Garda Siochana and Dublin City Council on the required permits, and road traffic plan for to facilitate this road closure have communicated this to all affected residents through a door to door leaflet drop and communications via social media and local residents associations. Emergency access will of course be maintained. We appreciate the community's support for the short number of hours this event will take place.
Who is running this event and why?
The Griffith Avenue Mile is a non-commercial, not-for-profit event run by Griffith Avenue Mile CLG - a group of volunteers from the Marino Athletics Club, a team of about 100 local volunteers with support from Athletics Ireland and many great national and local
sponsors with some core objectives as set out
here.
Who are the sponsors of this event?
We are very lucky to have the support of some wonderful sponsors who you can see on our
sponsors page here. They have offered us their enthusiastic support through financing the event, offering facilities to host the event, supplied us with equipment and materials, and helped us promote the event to their communities. It's safe to say it simply would not be possible to run the event without them, and for that we are very grateful.
I'd like to sponsor. Who can I contact?
Please
get in touch so we can discuss more!
I have a media enquiry. Who can I speak to?
Please
get in touch so we can discuss more!