Dublin Marathon medal pays tribute to WB Yeats

The medal design plays tribute to William Butler Yeats on the 100th anniversary of Yeats receiving the Nobel Prize in Literature. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The medal for this year's Dublin Marathon pays tribute to Irish poet WB Yeats on the 100th anniversary of his Nobel Prize in Literature.

The medal, which has been unveiled just 50 days out from the race, has a quote from the famed poet engraved on the front. It reads: "There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't met yet."

It will be presented to each participant who crosses the finish line after completing the 26.2-mile challenge.

According to organisers, the quote "embodies the values" of the Dublin Marathon which is known worldwide as "the friendly marathon".

Yeats, most famous for poems such as The Lake Isle of Innisfree and The Stolen Child, created history when he was awarded the Noble Prize back in November 1923. He was the first Irish citizen to achieve such an accolade.

This year, John Treacy has been chosen as the official race starter to mark the 30th anniversary of his win in the 1993 Dublin Marathon.  The Olympic Silver medallist and Irish marathon record holder ran 2:14.40 on the day to claim victory.

Speaking at the announcement, John Treacy said: “I am honoured to be asked to start the 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon. I have fond memories of that win back in ’93. 

"I am looking forward to watching the elite race on the day. It is always great to see some of Ireland’s top elite marathoners race against international athletes on Irish soil and battle it out for national titles.”

The race takes place on Sunday, October 29, and this year a new nonbinary category has been introduced.

This will allow participants to enter as nonbinary as well as male or female, and according to organisers, this change "will make a positive impact and allow runners to participate in a category that matches their identity".