Dublin Marathon

The Dublin Marathon is an annual 26.2 mile (42.2 kilometer) marathon in Dublin, Ireland, held on the last Sunday in October. Prior to 2016, the race took place on the last Monday in October, which is a public holiday in Ireland. Held each year since 1980, a record 22,500 people entered the 2019 race including over 5,000 entrants from outside Ireland.
History.
The race was founded in 1980 by a group led by Noel Carroll, who persuaded the Business Houses Athletic Association (BHAA) to take up the idea. In the first year, 2,100 took part, of whom 1,420 finished. Dick Hooper of Raheny club Raheny Shamrock Athletic Club claimed first place, in a time of 2:16:14. The women's winner was Carey May who finished in 2:42:11. That year's runner-up was Neil Cusack, who returned in 1981 to post a winning time of 2:13:59.
Jerry Kiernan's 1982 time of 2:13:45 was a long-standing men's course record. This was finally improved upon by Lezan Kipkosgei Kimutai over twenty years later in 2004, but Russian runner Aleksey Sokolov twice broke the record with consecutive wins in 2006/07, running 2:11:39 then 2:09:07 the next year. Moses Kangogo Kibet became the first man under 2:09 in Dublin with his win in 2:08:58. The current men's record is 2:08:33 set by Geoffrey Ndungu in 2011.
Moira O'Neill was the first woman under two hours and forty minutes with her win of 2:37:06 in 1988 and home athlete Christine Kennedy improved this with a run of 2:35:56 three years later. Kenyan Ruth Kutol win in 2:27:22 in 2003 was the first sub-2:30 time and Russian Tatyana Aryasova broke this record in 2010 with her current women's record of 2:26:13.
The participation level of the race has followed an upward trend: by 1988 the number of participants had increased to 8,700 – up from the 4,000 the previous year. It was not until 2000 that the 1988 participation record was finally broken when 8,900 took part. An increasing number of people took part every year in the late 2000s, with 11,000 at the 2007 edition. Entry levels have since increased significantly year-on-year with 19,500 completing the 2016 event.
In 2001 the marathon became part of the Dublin Race Series, which includes pre-marathon events of 5 miles, 10 kilometres, 10 miles and half marathon distance over the preceding months, run in the Phoenix Park and Swords.
A competitor died while running in the 2006 marathon and another in the 2013 marathon.
It is believed 2015 will be the last year the Marathon will take place on the October Bank Holiday Monday as it is expected to be pulled back by one day to the October Bank Holiday Sunday to attract more overseas runners. Photos are available of the 2015 Dublin Marathon by going to Creative Photography Ireland on Facebook.
The 2020 edition of the race was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, with all entries made valid for 2021 and all registrants given the option of obtaining a full refund.
Course.
The course is generally reasonably flat. It starts at Fitzwilliam Square in the city centre and concludes at Merrion Square. Exact routing varies, although in recent years the race has proceeded in an anti-clockwise direction around the city , including passing through the Phoenix Park before moving towards the southside suburbs.
Race series.
The Dublin marathon is associated to a series of 4 other races in the calendar year. These races include, The Irish Runner 5 mile, The Frank Duffy 10 mile, Fingal 10k and the Dublin half Marathon.
Prizes.
The overall winner receives the "Noel Carroll Memorial Trophy" as well as €15,000 cash prize. Prizes are also given for first Irish finisher, first masters finisher and first team finishers. A €5,000 prize is also given to any competitor who breaks the Dublin marathon record.
Winners.
Elite race.
Key:
Wheelchair race.
The top level wheelchair race has been limited to men, with the exceptions of 2002, 2004 and 2005.
Key: