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Marathon runners on Fitzwilliam Place last year. Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Dublin Marathon to allow 2,500 extra entrants for 25,000-strong field

Successful applicants for the Marathon’s new lottery system will be informed today.

DUBLIN MARATHON ORGANISERS have today announced that they will expand capacity to 25,000 for this year’s event.

The KBC-sponsored Marathon was run with a capacity of 22,500 entrants last year after demand shot up by 30% between 2015 and 2016.

Organisers sparked concern among runners last year when they announced plans to switch to a lottery system of entry rather than a first-come-first-served basis. However, previous participants have been given first preference on returning to the start line on 25 October. 

The lottery system, the organiser said in a statement: “has revealed that there are over 35,000 interested in participating in the 2020 event.

“16,200 entries have been received from runners who had participated in any of the 2017, 2018 & 2019 editions of the event, who were guaranteed a place in the 2020 KBC Dublin Marathon.

“1,000 entries are allocated to sponsors and tour operators, with a further 1,300 allocated to ‘Good for Age’ Athletics Ireland members.”

16,100 applications were made for the remaining 6,500 places available through the lottery. Today, the successful applicants will be informed and they have until 31 January to claim their place.

Any places left unclaimed at the end of this month will be allocated to lottery entrants from 7 February. A third round of allocations will take place on 1 August, accounting for spaces vacated by runners who have withdrawn and taken a partial refund at that point.

Unsuccessful lottery entrants can claim their €15 refund after 14 February.

“A key objective from the outset,” says race director Jim Aughney, ”was to promote marathon running in Ireland and it is great to see such strong interest in this year’s event.”

We know that there will be many runners disappointed today, but we cannot accommodate all interested individuals as we pride ourselves on delivering a quality event as the health and safety of participants is our primary concern.

“However, given that we now have an indication of the overall interest levels in participation, this will allow us to have meaningful conversations with our many stakeholders around the future and further development of the KBC Dublin Marathon.”

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    Mute Simon Power
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    Jan 10th 2020, 8:17 AM

    It amazes me that there are 35,000 people that can run over 40km! Fair play to them.

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    Mute John S
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    Jan 10th 2020, 10:47 AM

    @Simon Power: there isn’t, there’s 35k entrants in the ballot. Nothing sparks Irish people’s interest like a demand for something, expect at least 10k refunds when people see how far 10k is!

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    Mute Justice Mickey
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    Jan 10th 2020, 8:20 AM

    I love being in the side line cheering the participants on and taking in the atmosphere.
    It must be a fantastic personal achievement to take part.

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    Mute Stephen O'Shea
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    Jan 10th 2020, 1:57 PM

    @Justice Mickey: I can’t tell you how amazing the support feels from inside the ropes! It changes the whole experience into something really special. Thanks for being there!

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    Mute Michael Carolan
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    Jan 10th 2020, 8:20 AM

    Fingers crossed I get a slot.

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    Mute Seomra Ban
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    Jan 10th 2020, 11:51 AM

    Missed out. I have run the Dublin marathon 4 times, just not in the last 3 years (kids). I guess some system is necessary but it is hard to understand why running the marathon in any of the last 3 runnings guarantees you a place in 2020 over others

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    Mute Mark
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    Jan 10th 2020, 12:51 PM

    @Seomra Ban: agreed, I think it should have been for anyone who did a minimum number of Dublin Marathons e.g 3 but any year, not just in the last 3. That said I am happy out as I claimed my place as I did all of the last 3

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    Mute Stephen O'Shea
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    Jan 10th 2020, 1:59 PM

    @Seomra Ban: Have to agree. I did it for the first time last year, but I don’t see why that should lift me above you in the pecking order. Maybe they’ll go to a straight lottery next time.

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    Mute Sean Murnin
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    Jan 10th 2020, 4:55 PM

    @Seomra Ban: There are 2 more draws, one in February and one in July. Hope you get a number. If not, keep an eye on runner support pages on Facebook etc. There’s always people pulling out injured.

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    Mute Ro-your-nan
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    Jan 10th 2020, 8:14 AM

    Ooooooooh; nice

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    Mute Martin Sinnott
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    Jan 10th 2020, 2:27 PM

    This is now big business, it’s a part of a world wide industry. Someone is making a lot of money from this.

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    Mute John Healy
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    Jan 10th 2020, 11:59 PM

    @Martin Sinnott: Not the case, it’s volunteer-lead, and run as not for profit. Yes there’s a lot of money collected but it’s ALL reinvested/used to cover the costs of running the event.

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