THE DUBLIN MARATHON will be the fifth largest in Europe this year after organisers announced the limit of 20,000 race entries have now sold out three months in advance.
The 2017 edition takes place on Sunday 29 October following the switch from the traditional Bank Holiday Monday slot last year, a move which has seen entries increase by 30 per cent.
The race capacity of 20,000 runners, increased from 19,500 12 months ago, makes it the biggest marathon in Ireland and the fifth largest on the continent only behind the likes of London, Berlin and Paris.
The Dublin marathon started in 1980 with just 2,100 runners and has enjoyed a resurgence in the last few years under the stewardship of race director Jim Aughney and following the commitment of SSE Airtricity as title sponsor.
As part of the Dublin marathon series, the Frank Duffy 10 Mile will take place in the Phoenix Park on 26 August and the Dublin Half Marathon is scheduled for 23 September in Newbridge Demesne.
This year’s race will also commemorate the 350th anniversary of writer Jonathan Swift’s 350th birthday with the route taking runners past St Patrick’s Cathedral, where he was Dean.
Speaking at the race launch in May, Aughney said that discussions will take place over the possibility of increasing the entry for 2019 and beyond.
“Dublin is now an event to rival every other international marathon,” he said.
“It generated €26.1 million for the city last year and all the key stakeholders (Dublin City Council, Dublin Bus, An Garda Siochana) see it as an event to be proud of and they’re doing all they can to help us make it better. It’s a showcase for the city and 2017 will be even better.”
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Excellent!!great to see him getting financially rewarded for his talent
@Jamie: give it a break lad.
@Barry Ward: what?
Your chip on the shoulder you have against the GAA!
A catholic gaelic footballer from tyrone wearing the sash
@Ruairi Kinsella: ruairi I had to think about that one. Fair play to him anyway. Wouldn’t we all like to have the ability to do it and get paid for it. Beats what I do for a living anyway.
What sort of financial figures do minors converting AFL Get?
@Christiaan Theron: 100% more than what they’d get staying with the GAA
@Christiaan Theron: I think rookies get a minimum AUD$70k. Tadgh Kennelly was quoted as saying the Irish kids going out are on standard contracts of AUD$80k with flights, rent and a car taken care of for 2 years. After that they’d hope to be on a senior list and earning something close to the league average of AUD$300k, but I’d guess that average is skewed high by the elite players wages.