The 39th running of the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon will take place this Sunday, 28th October with 20,000 runners set to hit the streets of Dublin.
This year marks a celebration of female runners with Constance Markievicz appearing on the finishers medal. The number of female participants has grown from 70 in 1980 to 7,000 in 2018.
The whole race will be streamed live on the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon YouTube Page. Fans will be able to watch every moment of the action live from 8:30am-4:30pm. The commentary team for the day will also be made up of some well-known names from the world of Irish Athletics including Ian O’Riordan, Frank Greally, Susan Walsh, Fintan Reilly, Liam Moggan, David Carrie and Feidhlim Kelly.
The race will serve as Athletics Ireland’s National Championships with Olympians Lizzie Lee, Caitriona Jennings, Mick Clohisey and current national champion Gary O’Hanlon set to line-up, alongside a number of international elite athletes, including last year’s winner of the Men’s race Bernard Rotich and countrywoman Caroline Jepchirchir.
This year’s race also incorporates the European Police Championships which will see 155 athletes racing from 22 police forces across Europe.
In the Wheelchair race, four-time champion Patrick Monahan will have to contend with a strong international field.
“We are delighted to again have a sold-out entry of 20,000,” said Race Director Jim Aughney.
“The marathon has grown 10-fold from just over 2,000 runners in 1980 to 20,000 today. I am also proud that we are celebrating female runners today, with a special mention to Mary (Hickey) who has competed in every marathon since we started back in 1980.”
“As proud health and fitness supporters we are excited for the weekend ahead to see all of the hard work and training commitment come to fruition,” said Leanne Shiel, Sponsorship Manager for SSE Airtricity.
“It has been great to see the fantastic growth of the Dublin Marathon and Race Series over the last number of years making it one of the largest marathons in Europe.”
“I would like to thank the people who make the Dublin Marathon and Race Series so special every year, from runners, supporters to volunteers and the organising committee, including Race Director Jim Aughney, for their outstanding level of effort and commitment.”
66-year-old Mary Hickey is the only women to have competed in 38 Dublin Marathons and was one of the women who took part in the first event in 1980. “I really feel I’m blessed,” she said.
“It’s not everyone that can run a race 39 years in-a-row. Life hits you in so many ways so to get to the start-line every year, I’m amazed and surprised by that really and regard myself as very lucky.”
The Lord Mayor of Dublin Nial Ring will present the 2018 recipient of the Lord Mayor’s medal at the start of this year’s race.
Road closures will be in effect within the city throughout the day. The SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon will start at Fitzwilliam Street Upper at 8:55 am and will finish in Merrion Square North up to 5 pm.
Image Credit: Seb Daly, Sportsfile
