Dublin Marathon 2024

event

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327413#Comment_121327413

I don't know Dublin well, but would Howth not be popular on a bank holiday Sunday, would locals be unhappy?

event

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327851#Comment_121327851

Get out and run 3 times a week for now, don't be stressing

Glencarraig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327293#Comment_121327293

Owen "Hitler" Keegan is very fond of "going out with a bang" when he is leaving a post. The people of Dun Laoghaire will never forgive him for the mess he left behind when he moved to "the big job"

ligerdub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327714#Comment_121327714

Dublin is a ridiculously expensive place in terms of pretty much anything. It also isn't a major city and isn't really comparable to London/Paris etc in that regard. Those places have substantially better infrastructure and I'd argue that if they are roughly the same price then it's not a good reflection on Dublin.

There used to be a significant contingent of English/UK runners in DCM, not that long ago either. There would also be a fair mix of continental Europe and North American entrants. I noticed more of a local feel to the runners this year. That's just from an observation though, I could be wrong, but I doubt I am.

Of course a lower number of foreign entries wouldn't necessarily be explained by the cost of accommodation but it very likely would do.

left_hander

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121328179#Comment_121328179

I'd say 6k of them registered and then looked at the price of hotels and said they'd stay at home....... 😁

Trampas

Do we hear complaints when the women’s mini marathon which is on middle of the day I think. How many tens of thousands do that? Wouldn’t hear a pep as they’d be afraid to open their mouths

nullObjects

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327851#Comment_121327851

There's a mentored novices thread here that was for this year if you wanted to read back: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058296505/dcm-2023-mentored-novices-thread

You could ask if they have a plan for getting ready for next years version of it too maybe, think it was around 30kms per week they expected people to be comfortable with on their feet, but maybe ask them in case I'm wrong.

Good luck!

left_hander

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327851#Comment_121327851

It probably depends how much you run at the moment.

I think you have it, try get weight down first. I know people who have found spinning great for this. But there is a saying that you get fit in the gym, you lose weight in the kitchen.

Then, I'd say register for a half marathon some time in the spring time, then work towards that as your first port of call (before the refund window!). Once you get through it, if you still feel up to it then you get on to the really hard training for the marathon itself.

Those novice threads are great by the way, highly recommended.

Best of luck anyway.

Glencarraig

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121328430#Comment_121328430

Nor does anybody complain when Merrion Square is closed to all traffic for up to four days for the Paddy's day celebrations.

winstonia

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327918#Comment_121327918

Given the amount of rahney shamrock vests I'd say it would be welcomed. Never happening sadly. Same start and then through summerhill towards the howth road via killester, rahney etc towards Sutton and back down the coast road into town. Be marvelous. Flat too.

DBB

Was that not more or less the route back in the day?🤔 I think the early Dublin Marathons were routed through Raheny? I think?

I'd be right on board for a return to this route too, just for a change!

Pawwed Rig

Yep I remember as a kid going to Raheny to see the marathon. The area of Raheny has the most DCM winners per capita aswell 😆

Eoin Keegan again. I have yet to hear of a good news story with his name attached to it. Wasn't he the guy who wrote to a student telling them to enter the property market rather than moan about the price of rent?

Seems to be a particularly odious individual

solidasarock

It does feel like running events in Dublin are dying a slow death. Like just about every other recreational activity Dublin City Council touches.

The Dublin Race Series now takes place in the backwaters of County Dublin in places that you have to drive to. With 2 events that are just laps of a area of phoenix park that is getting smaller every year.

Events like the RnR half or the Dun Laoghaire 10k have gone. Probably suffocated due to a similar combos of county council NIMBY bureaucracy and insurance costs.

DCM organisation has felt shaky post COVID so I can only imagine how bad it would get if they have to move it to the dregs of the county. If it faces a similar faith to the Dublin race series I look forward to the new starting point in arse end of Ballbriggan.

Runster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121328430#Comment_121328430

In fairness that's mainly a fundraising event

event

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121329521#Comment_121329521

9 million raised via DCM

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327284#Comment_121327284

They usually have metros operating as normal.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121327413#Comment_121327413

Such a long boring road !!

DBB

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121329521#Comment_121329521

Ah, I don't really think that's entirely fair. It has become a really effective fundraising event, but it's only part of the story. It originally came about as a way to encourage women to get out running. Back in the day, you didn't see as many people out running as you do now, but you certainly didn't see women out running.

So, the Women's Mini Marathon came about to try to change that. I remember my mam taking part in the first few, 40+ years ago... not a chance would she have donned a pair of shorts in public, let alone go out running otherwise! I assumed the mantle then and haven't missed one in 20 years. It certainly still plays a key role in encouraging women to start training, to get fit, to socialise, to chase a PB, and to fundraise!

I have to say, I was surprised to learn only this past week, that men outnumber women in Dublin Marathon by close to 2 to 1. I'd assumed it'd be not far off 50:50 in this day and age.

But the original point being, the WMM also causes traffic restrictions and road closures, although presumably for a shorter duration. Like DCM it has, over the years, been moved from the Bank Holiday Monday to the Sunday, and over the past few years is happening earlier in the day... from 3pm, to 2pm, to 12pm this year. I don't believe it draws as big a supporting crowd as DCM does... I don't think anything trumps the buzz to the city centre as DCM does!

ligerdub

To be honest when I read that the council and other state bodies complaining about the current route and clashing with organisers about it I was expecting something a bit more seismic than what I read in the various articles on the subject.

I can understand that transport issues and bottlenecks are an understandable complaint but it doesn't say much for the council and the NTA that they can't come up with adequate diversions for a short period of time, particularly considering they have been doing it for decades when it suits their argument. These are also the same people who decided to turn college green into a diabolical bottleneck and closed down several roads around the city having the effect of making traffic a lot worse than it needs to be.

I feel for race organisers, particularly over the last 2 to 3 years, as it seems they are constantly up against various bodies trying to push their events earlier and in a much more curtailed list of places to use. These same bodies will be the ones promoting active travel and cycling everywhere rather than improving transport systems properly.

Stupid question time, but if the Merrion North aspect of this is such a problem would it be possible at all to use Merrion Square park or other similar enclosed area for the finish/bag drop etc? Would this remove the requirement to close the roads for the finish clock and various other spaces currently in use?

One thing I assumed when I heard about these changes would be understandable complaints of people who live in places that are effectively closed off for the day due to the marathon going through there. Not only can they not really drive anywhere for the day, they are vulnerable to the likes of any emergency situation that may happen that day that would require an ambulance for example.

left_hander

A route change would be good but it would need careful consideration. The current route is pretty good to be fair and covers many lovely parts of Dublin.

Maybe run it in the opposite direction would be a nice change?

It is beyond me too why people would have such a problem with the event. The NTA must be the most useless organisation in the country if they can't plan a diversion for the buses affected over this one weekend of the year. As said above, surely its up to them and Dublin Bus to plan where the buses go for diversion? Its hardly rocket science - height of bus < height of bridge. Its fair game to complain about them, they should be doing better than wanting to move a brilliant event out of the city because they can't manage a bus diversion.

A move to take it out of the city centre would be disastrous because the best part of the event is the craic afterwards in the bars. That would be lost like the Bertie Bowl would have ruined sporting events in the city if everybody has to drive to the middle of nowhere.

Ian O'Riordan as nailed it, we need to embrace it more not view it as an inconvenince despite it raising millions for charity and bringing lots of business to the city over a bank holiday weekend.

If its all too much for our well paid authorities to manage and plan for with 51 weeks notice, then maybe its time to resign and move on to a job you are capable of doing.

Runster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121329718#Comment_121329718

You wouldnt be tuning in as much as a participant, I can tell you now its mainly a fundraising event. Perhaps it was different back in the day.

Im not surprised to hear DCM is outnumbered by males 2:1.

A lot of women cant afford the time or energy to train as much for a full blown marathon.

I remember being in a Triathlon club and hardly any of the women with a family were considering doing an Ironman as they just couldnt give up the time to train.

It really isnt about womens fear or resistance to train, its more weighing up whats feasable and general interest in a time consuming endurance event.

Runster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121329532#Comment_121329532

In fairness WMM raised as much and less roads are closed and for a shorter time.

sledge144

Wherever it starts, they need to make sure the start is accessible by public transportation.

Glencarraig

Move it out of the City centre says Keegan......I'm sure lots here remember the debacle that was Newbridge House in Donabate and the half marathon !!!!!

Trampas

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121333370#Comment_121333370

I remember that race well. Stuck on the m1. Running from car to start line having a clue where it was. Crossing the finish line and running straight to car to get out of there

event

Was horrendous that day.

Runster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121330374#Comment_121330374

Just commenting at the risk of offending any women who do endurance events and have a family.

My own sister did it with two babies, one of which she was still breast feeding.

Its all about time management and support.

FinnC

https://www.newstalk.com/news/calls-to-move-dublin-city-marathon-completely-hare-brained-flynn-1522052

State of the caller Owen who rings in complaining about draconian restrictions and he is basically in lockdown for 12 hours and can't get "down the country" on bank holiday Sunday! Oh and those running it aren't local so shouldn't be there.

event

Anyone who calls in to a radio station debate shouldn't be listened to.

It's the job of constantly upset

FazyLucker

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121334306#Comment_121334306

Agree. Sure all they want is the perpetually outraged clown to ring in.