Tens of thousands participating in marathon events in Dublin and Cork

Tens of thousands of athletes and amateur runners are to experience the pay-off for their months of arduous training today as they participate in the women’s mini-marathon in Dublin and the Cork City marathon.

The Met Éireann forecast nationally is for a dry and cloudy day today, except for a few well-scattered showers. It is anticipated that it will be a warm and close day, with highest temperatures of 17 or 18 degrees.

The family of Jill Meagher will be among those running to raise funds for charity in the Flora Women's Mini-Marathon today in Dublin.

Ms Meagher was murdered in Melbourne, Australia, last September. Her family members are running to raise funds for the Dublin branch of the Rape Crisis Centre.

RTÉ 2FM's Ruth Scott will lead this year's event, which is set to attract up to 40,000 participants. The 10K race will get under way at 2pm today at Fitzwilliam Square. The finish line is at St Stephen's Green.

Ms Scott says the camaraderie on the day is heartwarming.

“I’ve been sent stories of women of all abilities gathering together to train for the event. Imagine the buzz of stepping in front of 40,000 energetic and excitable ladies. It’s the best feeling ever.”

Olympians Rob and Marian Heffernan and the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr John Buttimer will lead up to 8,000 athletes at the Cork City marathon.

Among the participants this year is Kay O’Regan (74), who is running her 110th marathon. Kay is running her last ever marathon as she plans to step down to the half-marathon next year.

The marathon is a team effort for the pensioner as her husband Joe helps out at the finish-line water station.

Kay, who lives in Wexford, did her first marathon in the UK in 1986. In 2010 she reached the magic milestone of 100 marathons.

The Cork marathon kicks off on Patrick Street at 9am today. It will touch the four points of the city from north to south, east to west to include Blackpool, Blackrock, Bishopstown and The Lough.

Runners have the option of running the full 26.2-mile marathon distance individually or as part of a relay team.The half-marathon starts from Ringmahon and also finishes on Patrick Street.

Mr Buttimer says the event is a huge boost to Cork city. “The marathon places Cork on the map as a primary destination for holidaymakers, visitors and locals who are looking for a fun-filled weekend when they choose where to go over a bank holiday weekend.”