Today a record number of around 15,000 runners, representing 47 different nationalities, are at the starting line for the 2013 Airtricity Dublin Marathon.
Renowned as one of the world’s friendliest marathon events, the Dublin Marathon boasts some of the most enthusiastic support as spectators from communities all across the city come out to join the friends and families of those running as they cheer them along the 26 mile route. It’s that sense of community that makes this such a well-loved Dublin and national sporting event.
We’re excited to be the new energy behind this year’s event. As Ireland’s greenest and second-largest energy provider, Airtricity is a proud supporter of Irish Sport at all levels. Through our investment as title sponsor of the Airtricity League and as Official Energy Partner to the Football Association of Ireland and its international teams, as well as through our support of local sports clubs nationwide through our annual wind farm community funds, we’re doing more to give back to local and national sporting clubs and events. So adding our energy and support to the Airtricity Dublin Marathon is a perfect fit for us.
The Airtricity Dublin Marathon is one of the biggest and most exciting events in our sporting calendar. It gives thousands of people the opportunity to train, compete and to achieve personal goals. It is a fantastic way for people to train and get fit. As well as the 15,000 runners participating in today’s event, a similar number have already taken part in the Dublin Race Series over recent months.
For me personally, I ran my first Dublin Marathon in 2011 and I’m looking forward to taking on the challenge of this year’s race course. A huge amount of time and effort goes in to training and participating in a race such as this, so I want to wish the very best of luck to everyone running today including all my Airtricity teammates. I hope everyone achieves their own personal goals and I know that all the hard work and training for each of this year’s runners will have paid off once they cross that finish line.
As well as being an important sporting occasion, the Airtricity Dublin Marathon is also an excellent way for runners to fundraise for their chosen charity or group. The well-needed funds raised today will be greatly appreciated by the beneficiary charities and organisations. For my own part, I am running for the charity Straight Ahead, which provides free surgery for Irish children who need urgent operations for severe orthopaedic deformities such as scoliosis, developmental dysplasia of the hip and neuromuscular limb deformity and who are currently on unacceptable waiting lists. Straight Ahead has a fantastic team of surgeons, nurses and other medical staff at Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin waiting to complete these surgeries, many of them providing their time for free.
Finally, a special mention should go to Race Director Jim Aughney, his organising committee and the countless volunteers whose effort and commitment ensure the continued success of this fantastic event each year.
Best of luck to all runners participating today.
For more on Straight Ahead Ireland visit www.straightaheadireland.ie