The weather should be mild and mostly dry today for the Dublin City Marathon, in which 6,500 runners and walkers will compete. The city's most popular annual sporting event will have something for everyone. Motorists and marathon-watchers should note, however, that many roads will be closed in the morning and afternoon.
Hot favourite to take overall honours is Samuel Okemwa, the great Kenyan who won the Belfast marathon in May with a personal best time of 2 hours and 12 minutes. Another Kenyan, John Mutai, who came second in the 1997 Dublin marathon and has a personal best of 2 hours and 13 minutes, is tipped by many as the man who can take the honours from his fellow countryman. A third Kenyan, Wilson Cheruiyot, who recently won the Bristol mini-marathon with a time of 65 minutes and 44 seconds, is also seen to be well in with a chance.
Gerry Healy, the current Irish marathon champion, is the main challenge on the home side. He ran a respectable 2 hours 18 minutes and five seconds in Sligo in May. Another Irishman, Tommy Maher, who runs for the Irish Cancer Society as a mark of respect towards his coach, P.J. Fagan, who died recently, is another favourite. He turned in a time of 2 hours 20 minutes and 38 seconds in the race in 1997, but has a personal best three minutes faster.
The women's event will see keen competition among entrants from Kenya, Poland, Malta, Scotland and England. Kenya's Esther Kiplagat, winner of the Edinburgh marathon last month, is thought to be the fastest woman in the field with a personal best of 2 hours, 33 minutes and nine seconds.
The Dublin marathon is not just about top athletes, however. It also caters for thousands of unsung heroes and heroines determined to give their personal best regardless of the outcome.