Traffic restrictions will operate in central Dublin today for the annual women’s mini-marathon. The event is the biggest of its kind in the world, with an estimated 740,000 women participating since it was launched in 1983.
A record field of 40,397 runners is expected today.
An estimated €100 million has been raised for charity since its inception, with more than €14 million raised last year.
Minister for Sport, Tourism and Culture Mary Hanafin will be one of the participants this year.
Two thousand stewards and 90 gardaí will be on duty and 2,500 crash barriers will be erected. The event gets under way at Fitzwilliam Square at 3pm and finishes at St Stephen’s Green.
The following roads will be closed: Merrion Square South, Merrion Square West and Merrion Square Upper, from 8am-7pm; St Stephen’s Green South, Merrion Square East, Merrion Square North, Lower Leeson Street, Hatch Street, and Fitzwilliam Street Upper and Lower, from 8am-6.30pm; St Stephen’s Green East and Earlsfort Terrace, from 6am- 6.30pm; Kildare Street and St Stephen’s Green North, from 2.30pm-6.30pm; and Nutley Lane from 3pm-4.45pm.
There will be diversions in the following areas from 2.45pm- 5.30pm: Mount Street, Northumberland Road, Lansdowne Road, Pembroke Road, Ballsbridge and Merrion Road.
Meanwhile, the Cork city marathon gets under way today at 9am in Patrick Street.
Irish Olympic silver medallist Sonia O’Sullivan and Irish national marathon champion Sergiu Ciobanu will be at the starting line.