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☰
Dublin Marathon Runner Comments
Back to Dublin Marathon Information & Reviews
Course 4.3 
Organization 4.0 
Spectators 4.2
Number of comments: 267 [displaying comments 141 to 151]
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S. R. from USA
(11/9/2004)
"What time is it?" (about: 2004)
3 previous marathons
| 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 I was really surprised that there were so few clocks along the route. The previous marathons I've done (Cleveland, Chicago, NYC) have them at every mile or at least every other. It was hard to figure out my pace. I only remember seeing maybe two or three on the course, other than the finish. I think there should have been more Gatorade stops as well. I think one or two ran out, but there didn't seem to be that many in the first place. The course was also much hillier than advertised. Space blankets should be handed out at the finish as well. The medal was great. The fans were in places where they were needed and they were supportive. Race organizers were friendly and helpful. The website could use a makeover. More information would be helpful before the race, especially for international travelers. It was also hard to pick places for spectators to come see you along the course. | |
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Space Lord from Atlanta, GA
(11/5/2004)
"Apparently much improved this year!" (about: 2004)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 5 This was my second marathon, and I was slightly concerned based on previous years' comments on organization, timing, shirts, medal, etc., but it was fantastic this year. My thoughts are as follows: Course - not easy, but not brutal. Pray to God that it is not windy, as the gale force winds on uphills were insane. The course was hillier than promoted, but not back-breaking. Toughest hill was around the 10-12 mile mark, then another just before 21. I loved the course aesthetically, except for the part when we were running next to the expressway. Phoenix Park was a nice way to mix it up a bit. Organization - much improved (I guess), no question marks for me. Had time chips which were accurate, got everything at the expo easily - no stress here. In terms of fluids/food on course, this was really good. I was concerned about only having water every 3 miles, so I brought my fuel belt, but it was not really necessary, as you got a small squeeze bottle at each station - I wish all races did this. Gatorade really needs to be more prominent, though. I DID need my fuel belt for this... simply not enough stops. Gel at 15 was perfect. One complaint is with regard to the mile markers - there were many markers I never saw. Most notably was a 20-mile marker, as that was to be my final benchmark for my progress before the final 10k push. I got over it, but it would have been nice. Spectators - great. Not too many (some solitude is good), but really there when you needed them! Shirts/Medal - awesome. The t-shirt was simple (thank God) and actually a wearable design. Classic - I really like it. The medal was topnotch. I don't know if this was the first year Adidas was involved, but the organizers really stepped it up in quality. Overall, this is a fantastic marathon. I like it way better than Chicago because you get the city marathon experience, but it's not as jam packed. I ran a 7:50/mile pace and never felt congested after the first mile. Weather was ideal except for the wind. I was openly cursing the wind during the race. Be sure that whoever is waiting for you at the finish has some warm clothes, as I was actually concerned about my health AFTER the race. It was frigid and the body is not in its best state at that point! | |
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B. Z. from Atlanta, GA
(11/2/2004)
"Not Flat but Definitely Friendly" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 The weather cooperated - no rain - but a significant headwind the last few miles. Definitely not the organization of NY/Boston but a wonderful experience. The course is much hillier than expected. No big ones but many uphill treks. Good medal this year. Chip timing too. The International Breakfast Run was not to be missed and the post-race party was also a must. The last-minute entrant information on the website - including the course route - was disappointing. Difficult to make plans for international travel and picking a hotel on the course. | |
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L. G. from Thetford, England
(11/1/2004)
"Great First Marathon" (about: 2004)
First Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 My husband and I both ran the Dublin Marathon and it was our first marathon ever. We had a blast over the weekend. The EXPO was so much fun and we actually went to it both days. The international breakfast run was also a lot fun. They had singers, dancers, a yummy breakfast, and even a breakfast run T-shirt. The race itself was perfect. The crowd was cheering all the way and handing out candy at the end. That was very helpful. After the race they had free massages and another goody bag. Overall this marathon was so much fun!! | |
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Mike Tivnen from London, England
(10/31/2004)
"Charmingly Irish, so don't expect super-efficiency" (about: 2004)
4-5 previous marathons
| 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 3 ORGANIZATION: 3 FANS: 4 OK, so I've been spoiled by the ruthless runner-centric professionalism of London, Chicago and New York. In truth, this was an enjoyable marathon in a great city, supported by wonderful people and with no major weaknesses. But there are a number of minor blips that stop it from being a great marathon. From the lack of pre-race information to the slightly suspect mile markers (and poor visibility of the ones that are there) to the lack of music mentioned below to the bit of the course that follows the hard shoulder of a busy carriageway to the absence of space blankets except for the 'distressed', the little touches are not quite there. But the people and the city more than make up for that. So despite all this - and the challenging course (don't let anyone tell you it's flat!) - I'd do it again. | |
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S. A. from London, England
(10/27/2004)
"Spectators were fanstastic - just need a lot more!" (about: 2004)
6-10 previous marathons
| 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 Dublin is a lovely city and very friendly. The marshals and drinks station people were fun and encouraging. The spectators were really great, giving lots of cheers and yelling your name if you had it on your shirt (I did - I need all the help I can get!) I would say though that the organisers need to promote the marathon a LOT more. I was in Dublin two days before the race and saw only one billboard (by Nike) advertising the race, and a tiny 3-line mention of it in my in-flight magazine (on an Irish airline). I think that would get more spectators out on the course. Also having more bands and entertainment for them would help. Dublin doesn't need to be London or New York but a few more spectators would make the journey much more pleasant (if not less painful!) for the runners. Overall though I did really enjoy the day. | |
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Bill Corbett from Evergreen Park, IL.
(10/20/2004)
"This is a great marathon, not crowded at all" (about: 2003)
6-10 previous marathons
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 5 FANS: 5 I enjoyed running this marathon; very scenic, historical, and not crowded with spectators. The ones that were there were very supportive and helpful. Perfect weather for running a marathon. | |
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Owen O' Connell from Dublin, Ireland.
(3/18/2004)
"Great course" (about: 2003)
2 previous marathons
| 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 I ran my second marathon in Dublin. I ran my first marathon in Longford. I knocked off about 40 minutes off my time from my first marathon. I finished the Dublin Marathon in 4 hours and 24 minutes. The weather was pleasant, the course was just right, not too flat but not too hilly. There wasn't a lot of spectators but those who were there were very supportive. I ran for a charity in the Dublin Marathon and when the course went through the area in which the charity is based a few people cheered me on, as I passed them. Overall, the course is the kind of course that you can do a good time in. I'm a Dub and I knew the areas that the course went through, which was a great help for me, both physically and mentally. I liked the course and I am doing it again this year. | |
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J. C. from Dublin, Ireland
(2/3/2004)
"Could be better" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 4 ORGANIZATION: 2 FANS: 4 As a beginner to the world of marathon running, the Dublin course was ideal...fairly flat and as already mentioned, any hills weren't very challenging. The absence of chip timing wasn't too disappointing as I wasn't chasing any times. The water stations were plentiful, but I did feel they tapered off towards the end (last 5 miles) when I really needed them. Also the first-aiders were excellent (as I needed a foot strapped), but I had to run about 5 miles mid-way before I came across them... perhaps they should be more frequent or at least there should be more marshals that can be approached to get assistance. The roadside support was fantastic but was mainly from a large US contingent... maybe the organizers can do more PR work to raise the profile of the race with the locals? Finally, the medal at the end could have been better... I did hear that at previous races they gave small trophies depicting a local historic building. The medal given looked very cheap. But I will run again in 2004. | |
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P. M. from Brooklyn
(11/16/2003)
"Beautiful course" (about: 2003)
COURSE: 5 ORGANIZATION: 4 FANS: 4 This was the best course I've ever run - beautiful Phoenix Park and residential neighborhoods, just enough hills to keep it interesting but not too tough. But a few of the mile markers were either missing or not easily visible. And I was worried about water only every three miles, but it was enough. There weren't as many spectators as I was led to believe, but they were enthusiastic. Generally well-organized, but they could have included directions to the expo and the international run (which was excellent, followed by a bag breakfast in an upscale private club). And apparently there was an awards ceremony they didn't mention in the packet. I had no problems at the finish, and the massage was a godsend, but I did see a lot of people waiting in the cold a little bit later when it was more crowded. |
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