‘Huge economic boost for Waterford’ as thousands take part in Viking Marathon
Visitors from far and wide flocked to Waterford city over the weekend
On the longest day of the year, Waterford basked in the heat and an atmosphere of celebration, achievement and community spirit over the weekend as a record-breaking 5,200 participants took part in the largest WLR Waterford Viking Marathon in the event’s history and tens of thousands lined the streets.
The race began on the Mall after the mass of runners participated in an incredible ‘Viking Clap’.
The start was marked by the Mayor of Waterford, Cllr Seamus Ryan, and marathon participant and the youngest ever Everest summiteer, Adam Sweeney.
From tiny first-time runners at the Children’s Fun Run to marathon veterans crossing the finish line after 26.2 unforgettable miles, the 14th edition of the event transformed Ireland’s oldest city into a spectacular festival of sport, music, colour and Viking spirit.
Growing by an extraordinary 25 per cent year-on-year over the past three years, the Waterford Viking Marathon has firmly established itself as one of Ireland’s biggest and most loved running weekends, attracting participants from across Ireland and overseas and delivering a major economic boost for Waterford City and County.
Hotels, guesthouses and accommodation providers reported full occupancy throughout the weekend, while restaurants, cafés, pubs and hospitality businesses enjoyed one of their busiest weekends of the summer as thousands of visitors embraced the now traditional pre-race “carb-loading” experience and post-race celebrations.
Across the weekend, participants took part in the Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10K, Marathon Relay, the hugely emotional Waterford Viking Run for All, and the colourful Children’s Fun Run, with spectators lining streets and supporter zones from The Mall to the Greenway and beyond.
Race Director Joe Cawley said the success of the weekend belonged to the people who made it so special.
“What we witnessed over these two days was truly extraordinary. Yes, there were incredible performances and personal bests, but this event is so much bigger than times and medals.
“It is about people overcoming challenges, running in memory of loved ones, raising funds for charities close to their hearts and supporting one another every step of the way.
“The smiles, tears, hugs and stories behind every finisher are what make the Waterford Viking Marathon so special. We are immensely proud of what this event has become.”
Thousands of participants also used the event to raise vital funds for charities and causes close to their hearts, while official charity partner RNLI benefited from the generosity of runners and supporters.
Countless local and national organisations also received support thanks to the efforts of participants who turned their race day achievements into meaningful fundraising opportunities.
Event Lead Fiona Craughan paid tribute to the volunteers, community groups, sponsors and supporters who helped make the marathon weekend possible.
“There is something incredibly special about seeing Waterford come together like this.
“Families, schools, clubs, businesses, volunteers, musicians, spectators and participants all play their part. The atmosphere throughout the city was electric and joyful.
“The Waterford Viking Marathon is about inclusion, friendship, fun and community spirit and, of course, the remarkable fundraising efforts of so many participants.
“The sense of pride that people feel crossing the finish line is matched only by the pride the city feels in hosting this wonderful event.”
Event Chairman Des Whelan said the marathon had become one of Waterford's most important tourism and economic events.
“To see more than 5,200 participants and visitors enjoying everything Waterford has to offer is incredibly rewarding.
“This weekend delivers a huge economic boost for the city and county, and businesses right across Waterford benefit from the influx of visitors.
“But equally, people leave here talking about the beauty of the route. Running alongside the River Suir, out onto the Greenway, through the stunning surroundings of Mount Congreve Gardens and back into the heart of our historic city makes this a truly unique experience. Waterford puts on an incredible show, and that is why people come back year after year.”
The Full Marathon Men's title was claimed by Michael Brady in a time of 2.24.15 from Raheny Shamrocks Dublin, a back-to-back victory for him, having won the WLR Waterford Viking Marathon in 2025.
In 2nd place was Dermot Gorman of Carrick On Suir Road Runners AC Tipperary in a time of 2.33.35, and in 3rd was Tom Fitzpatrick of Tallaght AC Dublin in 2.41.34.
The Full Marathon Women's title went to Molly Claire Hyland in a time of 3.01.54 of Crusaders AC, with Bethan Thomas from the UK - 3.04.17 in second place, and completing the podium was Anna Kilmek at 3.12.39 in third place.
Half Marathon honours went to Men’s 1st place winner Alexander Wallace in 1.09.40. This was his second year winning and beating his time of last year of 1.10.22.
In second place was Jack Keyes in a time of 1.10.04, who came third last year (2025) in 1.14.11, and in third place was Sergiu Ciobanu in a time of 1.10.51.
The first female in the Half Marathon was Alex Murphy in a time of 1.22.10, and in second place was Una O’Brien in a time of 1.25.13, and in 3rd place was Aoife Lucey in a time of 1.27.28.
The 10 KM race saw Men’s winners come in at a time of 33.16 by Fergal Campbell from the UK; in second place was Ferrybank AC athlete Warren Roche at a time of 34.24, and in third, in 34.40, was Pawel Hoc.
The first female was Carol Molloy in 42.33 from Fethard AC; Joan Mahony in second place in a time of 43.38 and Leah Curran in a time of 44.10 came in third.
The Marathon Relay category was won by Conor Cavanagh & Noel Murphy of Waterford AC, who came in at 2.36.14; the 2nd relay team was Miriam Frisby & Mick McCarthy at 3.04.44, and the 3rd relay team was Chris Barron & Liam Dunne at 3.10.06 from the Back 2 Boston Running Club AC in Limerick.
One of the biggest cheers of the weekend was reserved for participants in Ireland’s only disability friendly run, the Waterford Viking Run for All, which once again provided one of the most uplifting and emotional moments of the entire festival.
The winners here include first-place male Vilius Ripinskis and first-place female Rebecca Smith.
Saturday's Children's Fun Run at the RSC delivered plenty of smiles and laughter, with young runners enthusiastically taking part in the 200m, 400m and 800m races and the ever-popular Family Relay.
As the final finishers crossed the line and medal-wearing runners gathered for photographs and celebrations throughout the city, one thing was clear – the spirit of the Vikings has never been stronger.
From personal triumphs and lifelong memories to community pride and countless acts of generosity, the WLR Waterford Viking Marathon 2026 delivered another unforgettable chapter in Waterford's story and has once again cemented its place as one of the highlights of Ireland's sporting calendar.
And if the cheers echoing around the city on Sunday evening were anything to go by, many of those 5,200 participants have already begun planning their return for 2027.