PLANNING a route around the capital will be all important, not just for those who wish to traverse the southside of the city today but also for 3,500 brave and hardy souls who will cover the 26 odd miles that comprise the Golden Pages Dublin Marathon. The event starts for both runners and walkers at 9.0 a.m. in O'Connell Street.
Unfortunately, last year's winner, Mike Musyoki of Kenya, is not returning to defend the title he won in such style last year. Instead he will compete in the more lucrative New York Marathon next week. But his compatriots from the Rift Valley of Kenya and as well as Ethiopa's Kaessa Tadessa will ensure that those who harbour hopes' of savouring victory will know that they may have been in a race.
Mbarack Hussein, whose brother, Ibrahim, has competed with distinction on the road racing circuit, is among the favourites, with his best time for the distance" two hours 14 minutes set in Belgrade last year conferring that mantle upon him. There are three other Kenyans in the race, with Joseph Kahugu another with strong credentials.
If either of this pair should slip up Joshua Kipkemboi, more familiar for his exploits over the steeplechase, an event he competed, over in the World Track and Field Championships in Rome, is certain to take up the challenge. John Mutai Kipyator should not be discounted either.
The home challenge is lead by, the man his Civil Service team mates call the Irish Kenyan Gerry Healy, renowned for his, at times, manic racing programme, not to mention his inability to run easy, at least in his formative years in the sport. Beset by injury over the last few years, Healy has not fully realised his potential and today would be the ideal platform to build on his promise he displayed some years ago.
Dunshaughlin's Tommy Maher never fails to run well in this event and is Coming into form at the right time. But his namesake, Peter Maher, now back in this country after a more than a decade running in Canada, where he took out citizenship and competed in the Maple Leaf in major championships, will be an absentee due to a virus. Julian Critchlow and Jey Hall will carry the flag for Britain.
The women's race looks to be equally competitive, with Danielle Sanderson, after giving birth to twins looking to regain the form that took her to a top 12 place in the European Championships two years ago.
Hayley Nash of Wales is another with impressive credentials to her credit and has actually run faster than Sanderson, but she has never beaten Sanderson.
Trudi Thompson will be anxious to prove that her victory last year was no fluke. She has concentrated on the shorter distances this year with some impressive times returned. Another former winner seeking further glory will be Catherine Shum, who travelled home to Dublin last night and is reported to be in fine form.
Christine Kennedy, although now on the wrong side of 40, is certain to display the competitive spirit that took her across the line first in the early years of this decade.
