Lottery to sponsor Dublin Marathon
And there was further good news for Aughney when it was confirmed that the race will be broadcast live on RTÉ2 and streamed worldwide on rte.ie, with an additional highlights package broadcast later that week.
This is the first time in 20 years that the Dublin Marathon will be afforded live TV coverage — an addition that should greatly enhance the event.
Aughney, who has been at the helm of the Dublin Marathon for the past 15 years, yesterday spoke about what this new National Lottery sponsorship will mean to the marathon.
“I feel a bit like Postman Pat today — the man who this week hit the jackpot in the lottery,” Aughney said. “We are thrilled to have the National Lottery on board as title sponsor for the Dublin Marathon. They share our vision and aims for the growth of the event. It is a huge endorsement of what we have achieved to date and strong support for our development plans to have such a prestigious title sponsor as the National Lottery involved in our race.”
Dermot Griffin, chief executive of the National Lottery was also present at yesterday’s launch where he too spoke enthusiastically about the marathon. “Through our sponsorship of this year’s Dublin Marathon, we’re hoping to bring a little bit of magic to the event,’’ he said. “For a start, we are delighted that our involvement will make it possible for anyone to watch the race live on RTÉ. We are also pleased to help promote this unique sporting event to as many people as possible in the coming months through the associated Race Series.”
Covering the Dublin marathon is a new challenge too for Ryle Nugent, Group Head of Sport at RTÉ.
Speaking at the launch, Nugent said: “As the national public service broadcaster, RTÉ is delighted to be broadcasting the National Lottery Dublin Marathon to audiences in Ireland and worldwide with our coverage across television, radio, online and news.’’
The economic value of the Dublin Marathon to the City of Dublin over the October Bank Holiday weekend is estimated at being worth €10m.
The marathon is also a fundraising lifeline for hundreds of national and local charities.
