2FM’s Breakfast Republic host Keith Walsh, Olympic Marathon qualifiers Lizzie Lee and Mick Clohisey alongside Paralympic qualifier and 2015 wheelchair race winner, Patrick Monahan today launched the 2016 SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon and Race Series at Kilmainham Gaol.
As part of the Ireland 2016 Centenary Programme the 2016 SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon will present all finishers with a special commemorative medal. The marathon course route will take in many iconic sites associated with the 1916 Rising including Kilmainham Gaol.
Last year, a record number of 15,216 athletes, representing 62 countries lined up to take on the 26.2 mile challenge. The event organisers expect to see this number increase in 2016 with the change from the traditional Bank Holiday Monday to Sunday 30th October to accommodate International participation and increased interest in the event.
Jim Aughney Race Director said “We are delighted to see the momentum behind the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon taking off establishing itself as one of the top International marathon events. With increased interest and record level participation in the race series, it’s evident that Dublin is an ideal city for running. The Marathon is the perfect platform to put Dublin on show to the thousands of runners taking part, both from home and abroad, and with the Ireland 1916-2016 Centenary, this is a unique way to pay tribute to some of our historic sites. We are thrilled to have the support of SSE Airtricity to ensure this is a memorable race experience for all of our runners.”
In conjunction with the marathon, SSE Airtricity has launched the Dublin Race Series; a four race circuit running throughout the summer, that will see participants gradually increasing their mileage towards the 26.2 mark. The first run will start with the Irish Runner 5 mile and progress up to half marathon distance in preparation for the October 30th start.
Speaking at today’s launch, Ronan Brady, Head of Marketing and Digital at SSE Airtricity commented; “The SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon is an event we are really proud to be a part of. It is great to see participation and the interest in running increase year on year. The preceding Race Series is perfect for introducing new runners and we hope to energise and inspire each and every one of the runners to keep progressing through to the full marathon distance.”
Notes:
Over 40,000 participants took part in the SSE Airtricity Dublin Race Series last year, with 15,216 runners, joggers and walkers entered in the marathon. The 37th running of the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon takes places Sunday 30th October 2016 with the first step in the SSE Airtricity Dublin Race Series, the Irish Runner 5 mile, kicking off Sunday 12th June in the Phoenix Park.
For more information or to register for any of the events, visit www.sseairtricitydublinmarathon.ie and stay in touch on Facebook/DublinMarathon or @dublinmarathon
SSE Airtricity Dublin Races Series events:
Individual races cost €20 each. Participants will receive a technical t-shirt and a gift at each finish line as they gradually increase their mileage in preparation for the 30th October, SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon.
SSE Airtricity Dublin Races Series events:
- Irish Runner 5 Mile: Sunday 12th June
- Fingal 10K: Sunday 24th July
- Frank Duffy 10 Mile: Saturday 20th August
- Dublin Half Marathon: Saturday 24th September
SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon: Sunday 30th October