[Conor74]

Originally Posted by Krusty_Clown

So, what is the argument for having it on a Sunday? Is it so that people can enjoy a good hangover? Does it just suit a handful of individuals better?

For me, Saturday would suit best and have to admit that is kinda related to hangovers!

[mo_bhicycle]

I was surprised to hear that the Bavaria racing thing was allowed to take place today and not tomorrow instead. Many road closures for this?

[gerard65]

Originally Posted by mo_bhicycle

I was surprised to hear that the Bavaria racing thing was allowed to take place today and not tomorrow instead. Many road closures for this?

I think its only a short loop around the quays and dame st, so not to the same extent as a marathon which shuts down half of the city.

[Itziger]

Originally Posted by belcarra

I think what Itziger is getting at is that it's possible in major cities the World over so what makes it more difficult in Ireland?
All the reasons put forward would make it difficult for sure but if they can get past them in other countries why not here?

Regarding matches...most of the countries mentioned by Itziger would be likely to have bigger events (25,000+ crowds for Soccer matches in most of the main cities every weekend) clashing with marathons. Do foreign police forces not charge double-time for Sundays also?

Thanks Belcara, they were precisely my points. I can imagine it's no joke putting on a city marathon but the example of the funeral kinda proved my point I thought. People die in a lot of countries.

[Krusty_Clown]

Originally Posted by Conor74

For me, Saturday would suit best and have to admit that is kinda related to hangovers!

11.000 - 15,000 people participate in Dublin marathon, in a city of 1.1 million. So they should shut down the city on a Saturday, so you can enjoy a lie-in on the Sunday?

[Itziger]

Originally Posted by Krusty_Clown

11.000 - 15,000 people participate in Dublin marathon, in a city of 1.1 million. So they should shut down the city on a Saturday, so you can enjoy a lie-in on the Sunday?

Luxembourg Marathon starts at 7 pm. (Usually May/June) Town is fairly rocking. It can be done.

[RacoonQueen]

Originally Posted by Krusty_Clown

Why should it be on Sunday? It's a bank holiday in Ireland. They get lots of international runners already (and numbers are swelling). Nearly all of the big city marathons take place on Sunday and we all go back to work the next day. Dublin, Cork (and indeed Boston) take place on the last day of a long weekend and we all go back to work the next day (no difference). It's also an established tradition at this stage.

So, what is the argument for having it on a Sunday? Is it so that people can enjoy a good hangover? Does it just suit a handful of individuals better?

This. I don't really get why people have such an issue with it. I love it being on the bank holiday Monday. Get two days rest before it and you'd be taking the day off work after a marathon anyway. People travelling from abroad would be taking a few days off work for the trip anyway, this way they take Monday and Tuesday instead of Friday and Monday or whatever. It makes no difference, just the Irish attitude of finding flaws in everything...

[Condo131]

Originally Posted by Itziger

.... the example of the funeral kinda proved my point I thought. People die in a lot of countries.

On the contrary, the point being made was that these events have to be planned *PRECISELY*. The funeral case arose when a funeral director assumed that there was nothing else on that day and my point in illustrating it was that even relatively small "hiccups" can have major repercussions on logistics & safety.

Either way, the bottom line for Dublin or Cork is: If you want to do it, it's on a Monday and if Monday isn't an option, then, for the reasons already given, the event won't happen - Garda Traffic Division *Will NOT* permit city wide road closures on this scale, on Sundays.

[Hard Worker]

Originally Posted by belcarra

I think what Itziger is getting at is that it's possible in major cities the World over so what makes it more difficult in Ireland?
All the reasons put forward would make it difficult for sure but if they can get past them in other countries why not here?

Regarding matches...most of the countries mentioned by Itziger would be likely to have bigger events (25,000+ crowds for Soccer matches in most of the main cities every weekend) clashing with marathons. Do foreign police forces not charge double-time for Sundays also?

Most major cities have underground systems and flyover systems which make it easier to have traffic diversions.
The police force in at least one of the marathon majors are not paid a red cent.
I hope that answers things for you.
When Varadkar decides to build Metro North ( probably announce it about 2 months before next general election ) it might lead to greater possibilities for thinking about a Sunday Marathon in Dublin.

[Krusty_Clown]

Originally Posted by Itziger

Luxembourg Marathon starts at 7 pm. (Usually May/June) Town is fairly rocking. It can be done.

So what? Nobody has put forward an argument for why it should be moved, other than their own personal preference (based on their desire to over indulge in alcohol afterwards). It's like suggesting that St. Patrick's day should be moved to the third Saturday in March every year, so a few more people can get pissed.

[RoyMcC]

Haven't HW and Condo explained sufficiently why Sunday is an impossibility?

Just out of general interest we are hugely lucky here in Jersey in that our honorary police (as opposed to the uniformed guys) do all the traffic control for all major events totally free of charge. And the abuse they get for holding up traffic at junctions is their only reward.

Btw wish I was in Cork today

[robinph]

Sundays are not an impossibility, but the Sunday of a bank holiday weekend is because the Monday is a better option for various concerned parties.

[Conor74]

Originally Posted by Krusty_Clown

So what? Nobody has put forward an argument for why it should be moved, other than their own personal preference (based on their desire to over indulge in alcohol afterwards). It's like suggesting that St. Patrick's day should be moved to the third Saturday in March every year, so a few more people can get pissed.

I was being slightly tongue in cheek about the getting pissed.

I suspect, all things being equal and if there were no logistical issues, Saturday or Sunday would suit a lot of people. It's why every other sporting fixture plumps for those days. As a self employed person, while I can and will take tomorrow off, it means a day of not making a living too. I fully appreciate why organisers can't get those days. But alcohol or being contrary is not the sole issue for wanting them on those days.

[martyeds]

Originally Posted by sideswipe

I don't know why, I don't like Mondays.

Bob. Is that you?