What happens to my entrance fee now?

Q. Why has the race been cancelled now?

A. Runners had an inkling that the race, scheduled for Sunday, October 25, would not go ahead due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, with the phased lifting of restrictions, there was hope that it might have survived.

The decision to cancel the event ultimately boiled down to logistics. Race organisers would have had to order merchandise within the next number of weeks; that’s a lot of kit which would have been rendered a waste of money if organisers cancelled at a later date.

Q. What happens to my entrance fee?

A. All entrants for this year’s race are entitled to use their entry for next year’s Dublin Marathon. However, if for whatever reason an athlete cannot or does not want to take part in the 2021 event, they are entitled to a refund.

Q. When will next year’s race be run?

A. It has traditionally taken place on the October bank holiday weekend. As part of a global marathon calendar, the next Dublin Marathon is now likely to be on Sunday, October 24, 2021.

Q. What do I do now?

A. Keep running! Enjoy what the summer brings and maintain fitness and focus. During lockdown, many athletes have run their own marathons within the allowed 5km radius – some even in their back gardens.

One of our sports writers and author of ‘The Dublin Marathon – Celebrating 40 Years’, Sean McGoldrick has this advice for runners: “This summer, marathon runners can relax, rest their limbs and embark on what I call ‘smell the roses’ runs. Instead of being preoccupied with the readings from your Garmin, take in the view for a change. Running is not just about racing.”

Q. Are there any other official marathons I can enter?

A. There are normally hundreds of marathons to run worldwide, however, due to coronavirus restrictions, access to these races will be extremely limited. A lot will depend on travel restrictions over the next number of months, but a good reference point is www. worldsmarathons.com.