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Dublin Marathon Runner Comments

Back to Dublin Marathon Information & Reviews

Course Rating Course 4.3 
 
Oranization Rating Organization 4.0 
 
Spectator Rating Spectators 4.2 
 
 
Number of comments: 267 [displaying comments 71 to 81]
More Comments: [ < 1 .. 6 7 8 9 10 .. 27 > ]

 

H. K. from New York, NY (11/2/2008)
"Great, friendly race; well organized!" (about: 2008)

4-5 previous marathons | 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my first time to Dublin and first international marathon coming from the US. I loved the area and the people; and marathon day couldn't have been smoother.

The expo was well represented and organized well.

The race volunteers, spectators, and fellow runners were overly friendly and enthusiastic.

I enjoyed the course, the beginning starting near Trinity College and continuing out to Phoenix Park, and back into town. It was nice to run through neighborhoods with families out on the streets offering oranges, gummy bears, and drinks.

The water bottles were a HUGE plus!!

Highly recommend this marathon for the great, friendly atmosphere and other than gently rolls hills, a fairly gentle course.

 

Gordon Wainwright from Worcester UK (11/2/2008)
"Third time lucky!" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 3 Dublin Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 4


This was my third attempt at completing the Dublin Marathon, having failed twice before because of injury. In the past I was critical of the organization and support as I twice had to ask which way to go and the crowds were not that supportive!! How things have changed! The organization was first class with the route very clearly signed and marshaled. Participants were encouraged and shown respect by the spectators, marshals and Garda, which is not always the case in some countries!! There was plenty of water, toilets, power drink and gels. Just one criticism on this front: like London, there is no food on the course. It was nice to hear my name called out at the finish. It was a bitterly cold day and the course does have some long inclines. I was rather disappointed that by the time I reached the finish, there were only small finisher shirts left and I am far from small, so hopefully this lesson will be learned in the future!! All in all, a well organized marathon, which I can now recommend.

 

S. L. from Aspen, Colorado (11/1/2008)
"The Irish folks put on quite a marathon!" (about: 2008)

3 previous marathons | 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


My first foreign marathon and it couldn't have been better. Great weather, crowd support, water stations, and finisher shirt. My daughter paced me the entire way. Folks yelled out: "Go little pixies" or "Go little leprechauns." Where else would you hear that? Only wish there was food at the end.... We were starved! With the luck of the Irish, I'm goin' to Boston! It was 'craic!'

 

A. H. from Dublin, Ireland (10/31/2008)
"Excellent Experience" (about: 2008)

6-10 previous marathons | 4-5 Dublin Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


Great marathon. Cold but very sunny weather, which made for a nice start to the race. Great atmosphere and great support.

 

D. M. from GALWAY IRELAND (10/31/2008)
"Great day. Great weather." (about: 2008)

3 previous marathons | 2 Dublin Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 3


This was my second time doing Dublin (previously 2006) and achieved a PB of 3:30, which I was delighted with. Expo was very well organized; we were in and out in 10 minutes.

The first problem I encountered was the start of the race. This year they decided to have an over-4-hours and under start section. This was a joke and resembled a cattle crush. Somebody could have gotten seriously hurt. There was no proper entrance into the under-4-hour section, and as race time got closer, it was mayhem. This resulted in stewards letting anyone in. If you watch the start of the race on TV, you can plainly see people with green race numbers (over 4 hours) near the front. I lost the guts of 4 minutes at the start because of this.

As for the course, it is quite good, with Phoenix Park the highlight. The crowds were a big improvement in 2006, but I still only give them 3 stars because I did Hamburg in 200, and the crowds there were unreal compared to Dublin.

Water and energy drink/gels stations were excellent, as were the toilet facilities. Also, your chip was attached to your race number instead of your shoe. Great idea.

To sum it all up, Dublin has made great strides in two years and seems to be heading in the right direction. The only problem I experienced was at the start.

 

D. W. from Laois, Ireland (10/30/2008)
"Well organized, with a decent course" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 3 Dublin Marathons
COURSE: 4  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This was my third time in Dublin, and the crowd support was much better than it has been previously - there were people on every section, with a bit of a break in the park. Very well marshaled, and plenty of water (in bottles!), gels and energy drink. The course is a bit undulating, especially in the second half, but it's really not that bad.

 

J. O. from Colorado (10/29/2008)
"The course needs to be changed" (about: 2008)

11-50 previous marathons | 2 Dublin Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 3  FANS: 4


Now that the entries are almost 12,000, the course needs to change so that the first 3-4 miles are not so crowded. As it stands, the Fitzwilliam Square start leads to narrow streets, which are further narrowed to one lane by traffic cones and/or by parked cars. It's almost impossible to move into a reasonably fast stride until you hit the N Circular road - and then only if you line up with the right pace groups. If the organizers can't or won't change the course to a wider start, then they need to enforce the pacing. Two categories of under and over 4:00 hours are not enough, and even these was not enforced. Thus, if you were not in the first few rows at the start, you probably took 9 minutes to do it.

 

K. H. from Dublin, Ireland (10/28/2008)
"Brilliant marathon in 2008. Great crowds." (about: 2008)

2 previous marathons | 2 Dublin Marathons
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 5  FANS: 5


This is the second time that I have done Dublin. The first time was back in 1983 and it's still great. Very enthusiastic crowds. Good water stations, great buzz with the runners, a great international mix, and very friendly, as always. Course is relatively flat. Only modest hills. Weather was cold and fresh, but dry.

 

u. m. from dundalk ireland (9/18/2008)
"best day of my life" (about: 2007)

1 previous marathon | 1 Dublin Marathon
COURSE: 5  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 5


I was 22 years-old when I finished my first and only Dublin Marathon in 2007, and I can definitely say that it was the best day of my life. When the crowd and my family were cheering me home on the final stretch, I had a feeling that I will never forget. Thank you, Dublin Marathon.

 

Yves Cosentino from London, England (9/2/2008)
"Great atmosphere, but undulating course and it can" (about: 2006)

4-5 previous marathons | 2 Dublin Marathons
COURSE: 3  ORGANIZATION: 4  FANS: 4


One of the friendliest marathons I've run. Good enough course. Not super scenic for the middle part, but OK. Crowd is not huge, but you do get support almost all the way, and the Dublin crowd is always very supportive and friendly (as you'd expect from the Irish). Food stations are (were) not very regular, so packing a gel or two is a good idea. Maybe not a must-run race if you're looking for a PB (the course is a bit undulating, and it can be quite windy - at least the 2006 edition really was) but it gets top marks for the friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Book a long marathon weekend and stay in Dublin for 2 days before the race, plus one day after. Really worth it.

 

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