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Get out those running shoes, the Dublin Marathon is coming

28 October 2013; Participents make their way down the Upper Glen Road during the Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2013. Phoenix Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

Dublin Marathon 2013. Phoenix Park, Dublin. Source: Barry Cregg.

The Dublin Marathon will take place on the upcoming Bank Holiday Monday, October 26 and will cover parts of the Liberties.

The event, whose main sponsor is SSE Airtricity, was founded back in 1980 and is now in its 36th year.

The 42km (26.2miles) race will start on Fitzwilliam Street and will finish on Merrion Square. The first wave of the marathon will begin at 9am, the second 10 minutes later and the third wave at 9.20am.

A committee of 30 people are involved on a voluntary basis in the running of the event. Carol McCabe is the Dublin Marathon office manager and is the only person employed on a full-time basis.

“The route changed slightly this year. It’s not going through Meath Street. It’s going from Kevin Street and up by Christchurch,” said Ms McCabe.

Last year, a total of 14,951 people took part in last year’s marathon. Ms McCabe hopes that they will break the 15,000 barrier this year. The final date for entries is October 1.

“We will get it [15,000]. We get a mad rush of entries in the last few weeks,” she admitted.

The marathon will have cash prizes in both the men’s and women’s categories for those that finish in the top 10, from €500 up to €10,000.

28 October 2013; A general view of competitors in action during the Airtricity Dublin Marathon 2013. Upper Glen Road, Phoenix Park, Dublin. Picture credit: Barry Cregg / SPORTSFILE *** NO REPRODUCTION FEE ***

Dublin Marathon 2013. Source: Barry Cregg

 

The Mansion House is etched onto this year’s set of medals to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the Lord Mayor of Dublin’s residence.

The men and women’s category were both won by Kenyans last year; Eliud Too (men’s) in a time of 2:14:47 and Esther Macharia (women’s) in 2:34:15.

“It then breaks into age categories. Every five years there is an age prize, starting from 40. We’ve a 90-year-old in it this year,” Ms McCabe informed.

Nineteen men and one woman have taken part in every one of the Dublin Marathons since the event began 35 years ago.

Ms McCabe has advice for those running in the long distance race. “We would encourage people not to wear headphones. We would see headphones as a danger because they can’t hear the instructions of stewards and they miss out on the whole atmosphere.

“Make sure you’re well before you start. Twenty six miles is a long way to go if you’re not feeling good. “If you don’t feel right, don’t go. Your health is more important. There will always be another marathon.”

 

This year’s event will not be broadcasted, having been televised in previous years by RTÉ, TV3 and Setanta Sports.

 

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