The 37th running of the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon will take place this Sunday 30th October with 19,500 participants set to line up, now making it the fourth largest marathon in Europe.
There has been a surge in International interest with overseas runners accounting for 30% of entrants. This increase has been attributed in part, to the move to a Sunday from the historical Bank Holiday Monday. Race organisers also noted that the friendliness of the Irish football supporters in France during the UEFA Euro 2016 championships was mentioned by many as having a positive influence on their decision, to sign-up to the race, with an increase in participants coming from Sweden, Poland and France – French entries having tripled from previous years.

In the Men’s elite race, Rathfarnham W.S.A.F. athlete, Sean Hehir, who won the race in 2013 is looking in strong form coming off last month’s Dublin Half Marathon win. Ethiopians AsefeLegase Bekele, Dereje Yadete Woldegiyorgis, as well as the Raheny Shamrock A.C. based Kenyan, Freddy Sittuk will also look to challenge. Also in the field will be Ireland’s Sergiu Ciobanu (ClonliffeHarrier A.C.) who missed out on selection for the Rio Olympic Games.
The women’s race will welcome Namibian, Helalia Johannes back to defend her 2011 title. There will strong challenges from Ethiopian athletes, Meseret Legese Biratu, Ehite Bizuayehu Gebireyes, as well as Motu Mergesa Gedefa, who will make her marathon debut. Irish women, Laura Graham, Fionnuala Ross, and Caitriona Jennings (Rathfarnham W.A.S.P. A.C.) will look to take the home advantage and outpace the International field.
2016 Team Ireland Paralympian, Patrick Monahan will be one of the first off the line as part of the wheelchair race where he will be defending his previous two Dublin Marathon victories. Welsh athlete Richie Powell will be back looking to disrupt Monahan’s dominance, as well as Northern Ireland’s Paul Hannan.
The SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon will also act as Athletics Ireland’s National Championships andall finishers will receive a 2016 commemorative medal.
Ronan Brady, Head of Marketing for SSE Airtricity welcomes the runners to Dublin;
“It is an honour to welcome all 19,500 athletes, their friends, and families to Dublin this Sunday. These athletes have dedicated so much time, and energy to get to the start line and we are delighted to be part of such a special day. Best of luck to all taking part; it truly is a huge milestone – on behalf of all at SSE Airtricity, we are proud to welcome you to the 26.2 mile club.”
Race director, Jim Aughney commended the athletes taking part in the 2016 SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon;
“You all have worked towards achieving a massive goal – weather it was daring to take the first step, challenging your personal limits, or honouring a special cause or charity – and this weekend we are delighted to see you take on the final 26.2 miles. Through the summer Race Series, we have seen many progress in their marathon journey from the start and we look forward to supporting you all the way across the line. For those, that have travelled to Dublin, we hope you enjoy your time here; with the amazing hospitality from the great supporters and your fellow runners on the course, as well as, what we feel, the best ways to see some of Dublin’s best sights! Best of luck and enjoy the day!”
Friends and families of runners can monitor their progress this year via the SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon live tracker – which can be accessed via the website or Facebook page. For full course details, information on road closures, and to follow the race, go to www.sseairtricitydublinmarathon.ie or www.facebook.com/dublinmarathon and@dublinmarathon
2016 SSE Airtricity Dublin Marathon in Numbers
- A record of 19,500 Entries
- An Irish field of 13,849
- A record number of 5,700 international participants with 3,852 coming from the UK, 1817 from the rest of Europe and 498 from the US.
- Over 1,250 volunteers will be on duty on Race Day
- 39 Pacers in ten minute time brackets from 3 hours to 5 hours.
- Ten water stations
- Orange Lucozade will be available in 350ml. bottles