The Irish Life Dublin Marathon takes place around the city on Sunday, October 30th. It will be the first to take place fully in person since 2019 and also the first to do so under the banner of sponsors Irish Life.
There will be a record field with the largest-ever entry of 25,000 coming from across the island of Ireland and from countries around the world.
Each day this week we will look at a different aspect of the race and the event, its importance to the economy of the city, its appeal as a sponsorship property, its importance in terms of sports tourism, and what the race experience will be like on the day.
Today we are taking a look at the economic impact.
Back in 2016 UCD completed an economic impact study on the event which estimated its worth to be €21.6 million.
Race organisers have estimated themselves that with the rise in the number of entries the last time the race was run in full back in 2019, that figure could have risen to more than €25 million.
That year 22,500 took to the starting line and this year will be another record of 25,000.
It is thought to be one of the most popular running events in Europe with estimated crowds of 300,000 coming out to cheer along the city centre route if the sun shines.
Moving that number of people around the city generates its own value in spend on transport and refreshments.
The reputation of the race in international circles means a strong overseas entry as well. Sport for Business members Sports Travel International estimate that number to be 5,700 who stay for an average of three nights with all that associated spend.
Dublin City Council is working with a number of different partners, including Mastercard to get a proper handle on the real economic value of major events but in sheer size and scale of participation, the Irish Life Dublin Marathon will always be among the most valuable.
