More than 9,000 people will take part in today's Dublin City Marathon, the biggest field in the annual event since the early 1980s. Competitors have a new starting point this year at the Four Courts, where the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Mr Maurice Ahern, will see them off.
First away are the wheelchair athletes at 8.20 a.m., followed by the main race at 8.30 a.m. The "minithon," a three-kilometre fun-run expected to attract a further 1,000 children, aged 9 to 15, starts at 9 a.m. The 21st city marathon also has a new finishing point, Smithfield Civic Plaza, where the first competitors are expected at about 10.45 a.m.
The race route takes competitors along the north quays and then via Parnell Square and O'Connell Street, on two loops of the south city.
From Merrion Road, Stillorgan Road and Fosters Avenue, the field circles UCD's Belfield campus before heading back into the city centre through Donnybrook. From St Stephen's Green, it moves south again through Dolphin's Barn, Harold's Cross, Kimmage and Walkinstown, before returning to the city via Kilmainham.
The race then turns west to Chapelizod before skirting the Phoenix Park en route to the north quays again, and the finish line.
Extensive traffic diversions will be in place throughout the city between 6 a.m. and about 4.30 p.m. Arran and Inns Quays will be closed from 6 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., as will Church Street. Ormond Quay, Capel Street, and Parnell Street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 9.30 a.m., and the north-bound side of O'Connell Street from 8 a.m. to 9.15 a.m.
College Green, Nassau Street and Mount Street North will close from 8.20 a.m. to 10 a.m. Traffic heading north towards Merrion Road will be diverted at Merrion Gates from 8.30 a.m. to 10 a.m., when a diversion from Nutley Road via Ailesbury Road will also be in operation.
Fosters Avenue will be closed in the direction of Stillorgan from 8.45 a.m. to 10.30 a.m., with diversions via Mount Anville and Goatstown Roads. Diversions from Clonskeagh Road on to Milltown Road and from Eglinton Road to Beaver Row will be in place between 9.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Waterloo Road will be closed from 9 a.m. to noon, with diversions via Wellington Road.
Cork Street will be closed inbound from 9 a.m. to 12.30 p.m., with diversions via Marrowbone Lane. There will be restrictions at Dolphins Barn, the South Circular Road, Clanbrassil Street and Harold's Cross Road between 10 a.m. and noon. Diversions will also be in operation between Kimmage Road Lower and Harold's Cross Road between 9.30 a.m. and 12.30 a.m.
Finally, the junction of Queen Street and Arran Quay will be closed from 10.30 a.m. until 4.30 p.m.
Arthur Quinlan adds: Limerick Judge Tom O'Donnell will today take part in his 21st successive Dublin City Marathon. The only Irish judge to do so, he makes no claim to any greater athletic distinction: "I was a marathon runner before I became a judge and I will continue to run as long as I enjoy it."
