Thousands to hit the streets for Dublin and Cork marathons

The sun gods will keep smiling on Ireland as the bank holiday weekend ends and while the blue skies and warm breezes will be welcomed by most, the heat will make mini and major marathons in Dublin and Cork that bit tougher for most runners.

Ireland has not seen the back of the warm sunshine of recent days just yet and although thunderstorms are anticipated in more northern parts of the country on Monday and Tuesday, they are likely to be isolated.

According to John Eagleton of Met Éireann the unseasonably sunny weather experienced across Ireland is to continue until the weekend when normal service resumes.

“It is going to be warm right through the week” Mr Eagleton said.

“We expect highest daytime temperatures to be around 23 degrees on Monday and Tuesday and they could climb even higher on Wednesday.”

The forecaster said after Wednesday temperatures would most likely start to fall and by the weekend they should return to the typical range for this time of year of between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius.

The weather forecast means more than 40,000 runners taking part in the VHI Women’s Mini Marathon in Dublin would be well advised to apply sun block before setting off from Baggot St at 2pm.

The race makes its way through Ballsbridge before looping around UCD and coming back through Donnybrook to the city centre.

As a result there will be road closures and travel disruption throughout the day with roads around Baggot St, Merrion Square and Fitzwilliam St closed from early morning.

Adelaide Rd, Pembroke Rd, Ballsbridge and Merrion Rd will all be closed at certain points later in the day up until 7.30pm.

This will cause diversions to northbound and southbound Dublin Bus routes. In particular, passengers on the 25, 26, 37-39, 66, 67 and 145 buses can expect delays, and route alterations between 6am and 6pm.

The mini-marathon is a major charity initiative and Wendy Flynn from Meath is one of the runners dedicating her efforts to a good cause.

After losing the ability to walk due to a brain injury sustained in a fall from a horse, the 45 year-old is running the 10km course after months of intensive rehabilitation.

The mother of two is also a cancer survivor, and has been collecting donations for the National Rehabilitation Centre in Dún Laoghaire where she was treated following the incident.

“The hospital really needs more funding to keep up the valuable services they give to so many like me,” she said.

“It’s such a pity more government resources aren’t placed their way,” she told The Irish Times.

Nicole Redmond is taking part in her 22nd consecutive Women's Mini Marathon, and will be raising funds for St Michael's House where she is a service user.

“This year is very special for me, I am turning 40 in June. I have already achieved 21 mini-marathon medals in total. Every year I participate in the marathon, the sense of achievement in crossing the finish line is priceless.”

Dublin is not the only place hosting a sun-kissed bank holiday marathon and 10,000 people will take to the streets for the Cork City marathon, which starts at 9am on St Patrick’s Street.

The half marathon starts at 10.45am on Victoria Road. The will be major traffic and public transport disruptions around the city for much of the day.

The curtain comes down on Bloom - Ireland’s largest gardening and food festival- after five day run in Phoenix Park.

Monday marks the last chance for the green fingered to see the festival that showcases gardens featuring work by leading landscapers and designers.

Children are free while adult tickets cost €14.

The Dublin Port River Festival is also likely to draw big crowds to a wide range of family activities including the Festival of Sail displaying large old sailing ships, a river race, Pirate Village with arts and crafts for children, food and entertainment.

Sea-faring types are equally well catered for in Cork where the second Cork Harbour Festival is continuing for the rest of the week.

The festival aims to highlight the importance of the River Lee and Cork Harbour as a natural and cultural resource, and celebrates the communities at the heart of it.