Over 5,000 runners will return to the Phoenix Park this Saturday for the Frank Duffy 10 Mile, the third instalment in the SSE Airtricity Race Series. The series builds runners up for the October 30th SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon which has now become the fourth largest marathon in Europe.
Former London Marathon winner, Catriona McKiernan is set to line up against Belfast’s Gladys Ganiel who just missed out on this year’s Marathon selection for the Rio Olympics. McKiernan will be looking to improve upon her previous two SSEAirtricity Race Series silver medal finishes, while Ganiel will look to defend her Irish Runner Five Mile win over the longer distance.
Great Britain’s Rio bound Paralympic Runner, Derek Rae will lead a strong Scottish contingent including Michael Cawley and Dougie Salem. The T46 category athlete finished twelfth at the 2015 Paralympic Marathon World Cup in London and will be using this weekend’s race as part of his final phase of preparation.
Race director, Jim Aughney commented on the growing popularity of the SSE AirtricityRace Series and Dublin Marathon;
“The SSE Airtricity Race Series are getting more popular year on year. They provide a great atmosphere for runners and keeps the momentum building as they work up to the Marathon distance. We’ve never before sold out for Marathon places so early, and it’s only great that so many people are enjoying the series from the 5 mile start to the marathon finish.”
For those looking to claim one of the newly allotted 2,000 spaces in the 2016 SSEAirtricity Dublin Marathon, a waiting list has been created to allocate the additional entries. Priority will go to those who have competed in the 2016 SSE Airtricity Race Series. Applicants who are successful in securing a spot will be notified on 31stAugust 2016. Registration for the wait list can be found at http://sseairtricitydublinmarathon.ie/contact-us/
Race organisers are reminding entrants that there will be road closures this Saturday, 20th August, in place from early morning in the Phoenix Park, so runners are advised to allow plenty of time. Shuttle buses will be supplied on race day morning fromParkgate Street nearby the Frank Sherwin bridge from 8:30 am with the last bus departing at 9:30 am. Busses will be available upon race finish at the Phoenix Monument, to transport runners back to the Parkgate Street drop off.
The next opportunity to take part in the 2016 SSE Airtricity Race Series will be the Dublin Half Marathon, which take place in The Phoenix Park, Saturday 24thSeptember. Entry for registration closes 9th September, 2016.
For more information or to register, visit the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon website at www.sseairtricitydublinmarathon.ie and stay updated with Facebook/DublinMarathon or @dublinmarathon
SSE Airtricity Dublin Races Series events:
Dublin Half Marathon: Saturday 24th September
SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon: Sunday 30th October