Record numbers set out at Dublin Marathon

A record 12,750 runners have started the Dublin Marathon today with competitors from all over the world taking part.

The capital will come to a standstill as motorists were urged to avoid the route and follow diversions.

Met Eireann has forecast a dry, bright start in the morning, with some rain and drizzle later.

Race director Jim Aughney said despite a blustery weekend, weather conditions should be perfect for runners.

“The forecast is quite good,” he said.

“This is our 30th year running the event and it will be bigger and better than ever.”

The first Dublin Marathon was held in 1980, when just 1,420 people crossed the line from an entry of 2,100.

Organisers estimate more 124,668 bottles of water, 23,070 bottles of Energise sport, 20,000 High5 Gels and enough pasta to fill Croke Park have been consumed over this weekend.

More than €10m will also be raised for charities.

Bettystown man Gerard Fay took to the start line last Monday morning – seven days early – as part of his challenge to complete the course eight times in eight days in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Association.

This year more than €53,200 will be given out in prize money, with €15,000 awarded to the first man and woman across the line, and a €5,000 bonus to those who break the current records and Irish records.

Record holder Russian Aleksey Sokolov, who completed the route in 2:09:07 in 2007, is among the runners and is planning to take his third title in four years.

The women’s record was set by Ruth Kutol of Kenya who ran 2:27:22 in 2003.

However, Russian athletes have dominated the women’s field since then.