Thousands of runners will get to see the Dublin Port Tunnel before it is opened to the public during a one-off charity race.
A 10 kilometre run through the 752 million euro underground bypass is being held on Sunday, December 10th to raise money for the The Lord Mayor's Fund, for older people and the homeless.
Organisers Dublin City Council and Clonliffe Harriers athletic club are expecting up to 10,000 runners for the race through Europe's longest urban road tunnel.
"The tunnel is an ideal location for a winter run and will help to raise much needed funds for charity," said Cllr Vincent Jackson, Lord Mayor of Dublin. People wanting to participate must register with a €25 entrance fee before 5pm on Wednesday, November 29th.
Only registered entrants will be allowed on the run. "We are absolutely thrilled to be involved in such a unique and historic event," said Maurice Ahern of the Clonliffe Harriers.
"The Dublin Port Tunnel is an ideal location for a winter run as it is entirely indoors. There will be recorded times for the first 750 runners and anyone interested in participating should be confident that they can complete the full 10km."
Everybody who completes the run will be awarded with an engraved souvenir medallion and a commemorative t-shirt.
There will be prizes for the first six men and women in the seniors category and for the first six men and women in the masters category.
Final safety checks by firefighters, including authentic simulated emergencies, are presently being carried out in the tunnel ahead of its expected official opening before Christmas. Residents living nearby have been warned to expect "realistic" amounts of smoke billowing either end of the 4.5km twin bore tunnel during the mock-up incidents.
PA