The Dublin Marathon, which began modestly in 1980, used to be a winnable race for our top runners or at least served as a platform to secure a spot on the victory platform. This scenario, however, has undergone a significant transformation over the recent decade.
The forthcoming Dublin Marathon, which also represents the National Championship, promises to serve as an added incentive for Irish athletes to compete fiercely.
Out of the 42 prior Dublin Marathon events, Irish athletes have clinched victory in both men’s and women’s categories in 12 instances. But the dynamics have shifted, and the Dublin Marathon has gained a reputation as one of the big-name international city marathons, welcoming faster participants to compete.
However, does the general audience watching the event share a profound connection with these athletes? If anything, it can lower the exposure and impetus given to Irish athletes aiming to compete in their homegrown event.
The international autumn marathon season is currently underway, and there seems to be no upper threshold for the women’s world record.
Just this month, Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya shattered the world record, cutting nearly two minutes off the previous record in Chicago. This feat, many were astonished to witness, broke the time of 2:11:53 set just over a year ago in Berlin by Tigist Assefa of Ethiopia.
Therefore, the fastest woman’s time is now 2:09:56, which not too long ago was considered a fairly impressive running standard for a male marathon runner.
In reality, Stephen Scullion is the only Irish man to have run at a faster pace, with his 2:09:25 from London in 2020. Notably, Chepngetich’s time also matches the time set by John Treacy when he bagged the silver at the LA Olympics four decades ago.
The evolution of shoe technology since 2016 has remarkable implications, permitting increased training intensity over a lengthier period and promoting improved recovery. This has inspired widespread athletes at all levels to continually enhance their performance yearly. However, this has significantly resulted in a challenging scenario for Irish participants, with Marathon qualifying times for prestigious events, such as the World Championships and Olympics, increasingly becoming harder to attain due to escalating standards.
At this year’s Paris Olympics, we only had one representative, Fionnuala McCormack, in the marathon category, but her times were such that she would trail the top echelons in the discipline by a significant 5km. Her annual best places her 290th globally, and 35th in Europe. Notable is that Catherina McKiernan still retains the women’s Irish record with her timing of 2:22:23, which was set back in 1998 in Amsterdam.
My intention is not to criticize the current Irish marathon standard but rather suggest a framework to synergize and motivate Irish athletes to maintain a competitive level yearly in Dublin, thus levelling the playing ground.
In the previous year, we witnessed the outcome of such efforts when Scullion stirred excitement along the finishing line by earning third place and clocking his second-fastest time at 2:11:51. Despite last year’s winner, Ethiopia’s Kemal Husen, achieving a course record of 2:06:52, Dublin isn’t typically recognised as a fast course.
The women’s race record is held by Russia’s Tatyana Aryasova since 2010, who finished in 2:26:13, a time achieved before the latest shoe technology advancements (although she later faced doping allegations). Yet, given favourable conditions, there remains a high possibility for a revision of the women’s record books this coming weekend.
The Dublin Marathon has progressed and developed a prominent status in the elite athlete’s marathon calendar, owing to the generous prize pots and record bonuses it offers. However, undoubtedly, the Dublin Marathon could learn from what the Melbourne Marathon has achieved in recent years — creating races that are realistic goals for national contestants.
McCormack may not compete alongside many unfamiliar Ethiopian participants, but one can only imagine the joy of such a triumph, much like Treacy’s memorable farewell at the Dublin Marathon in 1993. I question the necessity and benefits of consistently bringing in participants who are solely driven by the financial rewards offered. I am an advocate for the Dublin Marathon truly investing in worthier returns on the significant prize and incentive funding it disburses annually.
There is a revenue gap necessitating prompt mitigation, and it is unsustainable to depend on the same set of sportspeople appearing year after year, especially taking into account the potential number of competitors out there. This year, Irish participants have risen to the occasion in track events, however, marathon racing appears to fall short in comparison. It ignites queries on the possibility of an eventual level-up, and if the discrepancy is so significant that individuals are deterred from exceeding their comfort zone.
Dublin, with its appeal as a mass-participation occasion, has never been more desirable, proven by the need to triumph in the ballot participation to secure one of the scarce 22,500 spots. Notably, the marathon serves as a substantial stage for several racers hailing from Dublin’s streets who use the event to garner donations for their selected charities. Colin Farrell has been a significant contributor to this year’s event, having already collected over €600,000 for his favoured charity, Debra.ie.
No doubt, marathon days are filled with various activities. However, the competitive spirit that kicks off with the starting pistol never fails to be the highlight of the event. The Dublin Marathon has been impressively supportive of Irish marathon runners, yet there remains considerable potential for further growth to enhance our international competitiveness.
It’s hoped that Hiko Tonosa will potentially seize the occasion and vie for a podium spot in the men’s run on Sunday, much like Scullion did last year when he secured third overall. It is crucial that Tonosa steps up, fully believing in the viability of this outcome.
In Larne, Tonosa demonstrated his capabilities when he recently ran the half marathon in 62:46. If he’s maintained similar preparation levels for the full marathon, this time converts roughly to 2:11:43. In terms of 2023 forecasts, this would position him as a strong contender for podium placement.
It would certainly boost the allure of the Dublin Marathon if it featured more local competitors leading the pack. It’s not an unattainable goal, either. Winning the Marathon on home turf carries a significance far greater for this event in Dublin than simply establishing new track records. Food for thought ahead of the 2025 Marathon.