Record number to hit streets of Dublin

DUBLIN MARATHON:A RECORD entry of just over 13,000 runners is in line to take part in the Lifestyle Sports-Adidas Dublin Marathon on Monday.

Runners from 71 countries will be coming to the city, but the record entry level has been attributed to an increase in the number of Irish runners taking part.

“We are delighted to break the 13,000 mark for the first time,” said race director Jim Aughney. “Irish people are back running again, and it bodes well for the sustained growth of Dublin [marathon] into the future.”

The race starts from Fitzwilliam Square on Monday at 9am. It is likely to be a chilly start with temperatures of between one and four degrees, but it is forecast to warm up. “It may cloud up over the afternoon, but the conditions will be as good as you can expect for the time of year,” said Met Éireann forecaster Pat Clarke.

Among those taking part this year are 11 politicians from the three major parties.

Minister for Children Barry Andrews has been running the 10km home from work in recent weeks. Two years ago, he ran the New York marathon in a time of four hours and he hopes to surpass that mark this year. He is also hoping to raise more than €3,000 for Pakistan Flood Relief. “The joke going around Leinster House is that if we are outside the 15km zone from the Dáil we can claim the overnight allowance,” he said.

Fine Gael’s Jimmy Deenihan said he hoped to break five hours having done the marathon in just over that time last year.

“I’m doing it just to finish. I’m 58 now. If I was running for a time, I would have done it 20 years ago,” said the former All-Ireland winner who has been pounding the beach at Ballybunion for 40 years.

He is hoping to raise €10,000 for Cuan Mhuire, Ireland’s largest voluntary provider of rehabilitation treatment.

Others taking part include Fine Gael deputy leader James Reilly, Lucinda Creighton, Damien English and Labour TD Mary Upton.

There will be substantial road closures. Routes around the race route when travelling from the northside to the southside or vice versa will be diverted via Gardiner Street Lower, Memorial Bridge, City Quay, Church Ave, Beach Road, Strand Road, Rock Road, Mount Merrion Ave and onto the N11 Stillorgan Road.

The route goes from Fitzwilliam Street Upper down O’Connell Street, up the North Circular Road through the Phoenix Park and takes in Chapelizod, Inchicore, Crumlin, Drimnagh and Walkinstown before making its way back to the city centre.

Lord Mayor Gerry Breen will get the 31st running of the marathon under way, and the first runner home will be expected in Merrion Square North shortly after 11am. Race number and chip collection is at Expo in the Main Hall, RDS, from 12pm to 6pm today.