Clement conditions expected for marathon

PARTICIPANTS IN this morning’s Dublin Marathon can expect near perfect conditions for the time of year.

It will be dry and cool with temperatures of no more than 10 degrees in a light northerly breeze.

Temperatures are likely to be about six degrees when the runners set off at 9am from Fitzwilliam Square Upper, but it is expected to stay dry for the runners.

There will be another record entry for this year’s marathon with about 14,300 runners taking part. The event will not be broadcast on television because it does not have a title sponsor.

For the organisers, the absence of a title sponsor this year is bad but could be critical for next year’s race.

Merrion Square North, where the finish line is located, will be closed from 6am until 8pm. There will be staggered closures on the rest of Merrion Square and in the area.

There will be major diversions on routes into the city and the full list of road closures and disruptions are on the Dublin Marathon website at dublinmarathon.ie.

The route will take the runners over O’Connell Bridge, through O’Connell Street, Parnell Square and the North Circular Road.

They will run through the Phoenix Park before crossing back on to the southside at Chapelizod.

The route includes Inchicore, the South Circular Road, Kimmage, Terenure, Stillorgan and Ballsbridge before heading towards the finish.

The relatively clement conditions may make for an attempt on the course record of 2:08:33 set last year by winner Geoffrey Ndungu who is back this year to defend his title.

Former world champion athlete Senator Eamonn Coughlan visited marathon runners at the traditional eve of race expo in the RDS to wish them luck.

He accompanied Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald, who spoke to the runners and visitors about the importance of voting in the upcoming children’s referendum.

Fine Gael Deputies Liam Twomey and Damien English are running the marathon for Barnardos and to raise awareness of the referendum, which takes place on November 10th.