I've run races all over the US, but this is now one of my favorites. Sure it poured rain and was in 40's for the first 9 miles. Sure there were 30-mile-an-hour winds. But when I went through Phoenix Park and saw the rainbow (over the finish line?) it made it all worthwhile. The race was well run, the course was fun, and the people fabulous. Even the after-race candy bar and Gatorade didn't detract from how special it was. How can you not love Dublin? I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

This was my first marathon and I ran for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Let me say the accommodations at the Herbert Park Hotel were wonderful. This is an awesome course. Thank you to the wonderful spectators who came out and supported us. There is NO way I could have finished without you. I wish I could have spent more time here. Thank you for a wonderful experience. By the way, the international breakfast was a blast.

I thought I 've read every sort of comment or excuse about a marathon but poor road quality has to be a first. I'd love to run on the road surface you're used to; it must be a dream to run on. Your blisters were not caused by the Dublin road surface, believe me!

This year's marathon was organized excellently. This was my third time to run this marathon and it's the first that had bad weather. By the way, I am the first to complain about this marathon if necessary, which for last year's marathon, it's not.

...the day began on an awful note. A half hour prior to the beginning of the race it began pouring and it continued on for the first 8 miles. Obviously this was not the courses fault but Mother Nature's... :)
Anyway, this was my first time running this race and overall I thought it was a good route but not great. Highlights for me were running through the gorgeous park and also running through suburban Dublin which I'm assuming is the only way to really see the suburbs. As an American, you typically only stay in the city so it was neat to see the suburbs as well.

Lowlights were the rain, rough roads (I was really disappointed with the quality of the roads, I got a huge blister by mile 18 because of the road surface) and number of spectators. I don't fault people for not coming out because of the rain, however I have heard that even when it's nice out the marathon is not a city highlight so crowds are typically small.

Overall, it's great for first-timers or somebody looking for a PR. It was an easy course with a couple of hills.

My first marathon - a rainy day, but not cold.... Superb crowd along the roads, very exciting in a special way the last KM where rain was gone and a beautiful sun allowed us to see the magnificence of Dublin Blvd. Expo was very interesting, a lot of stands from all over the world.... The only one problem was a very long waiting time to receive chip and number.

It was my first and surely not the last.

This was my first marathon and I am so happy that I chose Dublin. It is a special city with a special charm.

I wasn't out for any specific time, simply to experience competing in and completing a marathon. As part of Team In Training I had a lot of support through the full course. There weren't a lot of spectators but those who came out were wonderful. I'll never forget the lone gentleman in the park around mile 17 who had his boom box playing the theme from Rocky or the young families standing in the rain in Phoenix Park. I'd have rated the spectators 5 stars if only there had been more of them. The weather was lousy at the start but the bright sunshine and mild temperature we experienced later just made the day perfect. A cab driver told later me that I had experienced a full year of Dublin weather in just one day.

The course was interesting. Some long grades but no killer hills. Phoenix Park is beautiful. Water was available every 3 miles in small bottles that made it easy to drink and carry with you. The medal and finisher's shirt are great. My only complaint is that the massage tent was closed when I finished. I sure could have used one.

I highly recommend Dublin to anyone considering a marathon.

This was my second Dublin Marathon (I had run the 1992 race on a tougher course) and would say it was probably the best marathon experience in terms of my own performance and the fairness of the course. I realized it contained a few hills but they were not large inclines and you could easily get a PB if you can keep a steady pace. I ran 3:54 despite taking walking breaks at 24 & 25 miles. The lack of crowd support at these points was a factor but overall this race attracts good support throughout and the 3 miles through the lovely Phoenix Park was a highlight, not to mention the fabulous post-race party later in the evening watching the elites get their prizes. You are really made welcome at this marathon.

This is a good course for a first marathon. This year it started with lashing rain, but cleared up for some sunshine after an hour or so. The course is mostly flat, although there is a hill around the 9-mile mark and also a few inclines in the first half and another small hill or two in the second half (more than I had expected). Water every 3 miles and supporters were great considering the wet day that it was. The only thing was that if you had arranged to meet someone at the meeting point after the race, they couldn't see you coming in as it is located behind the finish line & chutes. Apart from that, very enjoyable and a nice size (around 10,000) so plenty of people, but not squashed. A space blanket at the end would have been nice too as I had to walk for 1/2 hour to my car and the clothes that I had left at the baggage point were soaked through from the rain earlier in the day.

Despite the cold rain at the beginning, this was a fun run. The camaraderie of the runners was terrific. The course was beautiful, particularly the bit in Phoenix Park.

The volunteers were cheerful and encouraging. I loved the school drum band coming out of the park! The crowds, young and old, were smiling (even in the rain) and vocal, pushing us.

Kudos to the race director for the Breakfast Run - the musicians and the Irish dancers made me feel welcome and Irish!

I completely share the enthusiasm of previous comments. This was my 46th marathon and definitely one of the best.
The absolute plus point are Dubliners themselves. What a nice supportive crowd!!!!
The organization is just perfect and very friendly. I will definitely come back. I loved every inch of this marathon.
Thank you Dublin for this unforgettable experience.