The Dublin marathon returns to the capital street’s however, the standard of Irish marathon running is slightly off.
Dublin marathon organisers have been instrumental in the resurgence of Irish marathon running in the last 15-years, with their marathon mission campaign supporting Irish marathoners.
While just one Irish marathoner made the Olympics’ between 1996 and 2008. Since marathon mission’s inception ahead of London 2012, 16 Irish men and women have became Olympians.
However, with Paris 2024 just 10 months away, things have hit a lull.
Just two Irish men are entered in the elite field for Sunday’s showdown. National record holder Stephen Scullion and Ryan Creech. Creech is the fastest Irish marathoner this year.
Irish marathon record holder Stephen Scullion (PB 2:09:49) will be aiming to win the National Marathon title for a second time. Scullion is a bit of an unknown form wise in 2023.
However Corkman, Leevale’s Ryan Creech has shown the best form this year. Creech posted 2:13.03 in Seville this year and then won the national half marathon title. 2022 champion Martin Hoare will not be defending his title.
McGuire to defend title
The women’s race is between defending champion Courtney McGuire of Clonmel and Letterkenny’s Ann Marie McGlynn.
McGuire won the national title in 2022, finishing third overall in a debut marathon of 2:32.50. McGuire was out of contention during the week due to a-niggle, however following a fitness test is now set to compete.
43-year-old McGlynn won the Belfast Half Marathon in September with 1:14:53. Gladys Ganiel (North Belfast Harriers) having taken third place last year is likely to be in the mix for national medals.
The 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon incorporates the Irish championship. Irish national medallists will benefit from prize funds and time bonuses for exceptional Irish athlete performances on the day.
Winning an Irish marathon title will allow athlete’s score key ranking points for 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualification.
Meanwhile, Taoufik Allam of Morocco will lead the men's elite field in Sunday’s 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon.
The 34-year-old Moroccan set a personal best (PB) of 2:07:43 when winning the Rome Marathon in March. A near four minute improvement on his PB from the 2022 Dublin marathon.
Ethopia’s Tadesse Mamo will be Allam’s biggest challenge. Mamo placed second to Allam in Rome in 2:08:44.
The toughest challenge for the Moroccan will likely come from Tadesse Mamo of Ethiopia who placed second to Allam in the Rome Marathon setting a personal best of 2:07:04.
The elite field see’s Ethiopians; Kemal Husen and 35-year-old Workneh Fikre Geofrey Kusuro of Uganda, who won the Madrid Marathon this year should be in the mix.
While, 2022 Irish Life Dublin Marathon winner Nigist Muluneh of Ethiopia is back to defend her crown, having set a new PB of 2:2.41 at the Riyadh marathon in Saudi Arabi.
Muluneh country woman Sorome Negash set a PB of 2:26.40 at the Dubai Marathon in February.
Former World half-marathon champion to run
While the organisers have pulled off a coup in former World cross-country and half-marathon champion Florence Kiplagat of Kenya.
Kiplagat, a two-time Chicago Marathon and two-time Berlin Marathon winner with a marathon PB of 2:19:44, having twice set the world half-marathon record. Hanane Qallouj of Morocco, and Ethiopian’s Hawi Megersa and Genet Habela Abdurkadir will also be racing.
In the wheelchair race, six time Dublin marathon winner, Kildare’s Patrick Monaghan competes against Commonwealth Games silver medallist Sean Frame. Frame set a big personal best at the recent Berlin Marathon of 1:31:18.
Olympic marathon silver medallist, John Treacy will be the honorary starter for the 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon. This marks the 30th anniversary of his 1993 Dublin Marathon victory.
