Over 22,000 taking part in 45th Dublin Marathon

Updated / Sunday, The event gets under way just after 8am this morning (file image) Maggie Doyle 45th Irish Life Dublin Marathon is taking place today, with thousands of runners taking part and many thousands of supporters expected to line the route through the city centre and suburban areas. There are a number of road closures, and diversions are in place across the capital. There will be more than 22,000 people running and jogging including elite athletes, wheelchair participants and charity fundraisers. The organisers said more than €5m has been raised so far. The event gets under way just after 8am, with the Dublin Lord Mayor Daryl Barron's Medal presentation. A woman from Cavan, who has completed more than 600 marathons and continues to run while undergoing treatment for an incurable cancer, will receive the medal at the start line, which is on Leeson Street. Brenda O’Keefe was diagnosed in 2023 with AL Amyloidosis, a rare, incurable disease affecting multiple organs but has continued to run despite it. The first wave to take off will be the wheelchair participants at 8.40am, and they will be expected across the finish line at Pepper Cannister Church just after 10.30am. The course route will be open for seven hours and there are many road closures on the route The elite runners will start at 8.45am, followed , up to 9.45am. The gruelling 26.2 mile course begins at Leeson Street, then goes through the historic Liberties before runners enter the Phoenix Park at the 6K point and on through Chapelizod, Inchicore and Terenure. The final 10km will bring participants on a hilly route on Milltown Road and Clonskeagh before the infamous downhill challenge along Fosters Avenue. Then it is on to the N11 down Nutley Lane and along the Merrion Road, past the RDS, before the finish line at Pepper Cannister Church. The course route will be open for seven hours and there are many road closures on the route itself and in and around the start and finish points. Transport for Ireland has advised public transport users to take note of the disruption, while Irish Rail has advised that there is no Dart service between Grand Canal Dock and Bray due to major works. More stories on News Ireland Dublin