This was my first marathon so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I thought the city and the people were great and the course was nice and pretty flat. Most of the spectators were Americans that came with teams, but there were still quite a few locals out cheering for everyone. The kids were especially great. However, the event organization was pitiful! No water after the first stop (that carbonated salt water at 9 didn't count) and no port-a-loos for almost 8 miles through a residential area. I wasn't crazy about running in traffic for the last 7 miles either. If they want walkers at this marathon, they need to keep the course open longer (at least as long as they promised instead of taking the cones up a couple of hours early). The plaque they give out at the finish instead of medals is terrible and so were the t-shirts in our race packets. The people and the environment make it well worth doing again though and I'll be back next year.

My first marathon and I expected better organization and support from an established event. I was a walker and the course had NO water or drink from the 12.5 mile marker to the 24 mile marker. Almost no crowd beyond U.S. charity organizations. Finished in 6:45 dodging traffic and on sidewalks most of last 10 miles. Broke down course long before published end.

The 2001 Dublin Marathon was an experience of a lifetime. The course was challenging, the wind was strong and cold, but what can you do about the weather, and the few spectators were kind and supportive. However, the race organization could have been a little more considerate to the walkers. The course was being torn down after three hours, which left the walkers dodging cars and pedestrians and for walkers like myself whose pace was over a 17 minute mile the water and lucozade was far and few. We had to either purchase fluids or rely on charitable organization thourghout the course to provide something to drink. The walkers in this race raised a lot of money and spent months training for this day. The race orgainzation could have reconized their efforts a little more and made it more memorable. Thank God for the outstanding coordinators and coaches of the Joints in Motion-Chicago Chapter. They made it a memorable experience for the first runner through the last walker to complete the marathon.

I had a fun time, but having read some of the other comments, I would agree that it is probably not a great race to run / walk if it is your first time. I think that for many runners, we (in the U.S) have become accustomed to EXTREMELY well run marathons in the States and expect the same elsewhere. My guess is that most U.K / Irish / European runners are scratching their heads at some of the comments that have been posted here.

By U.S. marathon standards I would agree that the organizational aspect of the race could be better (Breakfast Run? - Anybody find it?) but all in all, it was a fun time(notwithstanding the 'famine' plaque that made my kid cry when he saw it...Who knows, maybe that is what we all looked like crossing the finish line!!! It is almost kind of cool because it is sooo freakish!) I also think that the post race processing could be greatly improved - kink of a herd scene going on there for a while.

That being said, I met some good people, had a fun run, drank some beer. Doesn't get much better than that. I'll go back.

Participating as a walker, the marathon did not come through as promised. The streets opened after 4 hours (not 8 as we were lead to believe) leaving walkers to fend for themselves on crowed sidewalks and at busy traffic spots along the way; making the walk very arduous and ultimately painful. The Irish people were wonderful. They lined the streets yelling their praises and handing out candy and fruit; and they were there as I finished 6:56 minutes later. The weather was wonderful as were the beautirul Irish sights. Walking allows the luxury of sightseeing - Dublin is known as the walking city and it is marvelous.

Had a wonderful time in Dublin. However, I walked this marathon and I only got one bottle of water - there was no more after that. I had to bum water off Joints in Motion teams and Diabetes teams and TNT Teams. Also, closing the course after just 4 hours was ridiculous-this is supposed to be a 'walker-friendly' marathon - and no walker I know can complete it in 4 hours. The plaque was the ugliest thing I had ever seen - I wanted a medal for completing my first marathon and I got this hideous plaque. The wind was a killer, but the day was overcast and no rain. I'd have expected better from a sponsor like adidas - hopefully in the future they will make changes. The scenery was beautiful, not much in the way of crowd support from residents (except the kids-they were great), but the charity organizations were out there cheering. I did this with TNT and would not do it again with them, but would definitely do Joints in Motion - they had a LOT more supporters out there with a lot more supplies.

It is a tough course (hills and wind) but great crowd support. Helped getting through the tough miles. Being an earlier finisher, did not run into the lack of water problem. They gave you a whole bottle of water which seemed to go to waste. Later runners in our group did have stations which were out. Need to fix this. Also limited drink/food at end. Still I would run it again as Dublin was a great city to visit. With Adidas now involved (as a sponsor), would expect to see improvements every year.

This was my second time in the Dublin Marathon. Good course, cool temperature, supportive spectators, albeit the Arthritis Foundation, Leukemia Society and Diabetes Association made up the bulk of the cheering sections. If this event is to be considered a 'walker friendly' marathon, changes need to take place to substantiate that reputation. Don't break down the course as the walkers are struggling to finish and, please provide enough hydration sources for everyone!

Tough course but great mostly downhill finish after approx mile 16. Wind kicked up and slowed a person down a bit. I was thankful for the dry/partly cloudy weather considering last year's event. The few Irish fans were warm and friendly. Heard that the aid stations ran out of water but there was enough when I ran through - did notice that Lucozade was offered more than water towards the end. Need more real food in the snack bag at the end - I was starving and the banana and shortbread went fast, I ditched the Lucozade. Overall good event and I fell in love with Ireland/Dublin.

Dublin was my first marathon. I loved the whole experience. The course was fine, I didn't notice too many hills but the wind was pretty rough at times. The streets were not as crowded as I expected, but the people who were there were enthusiastic! I liked the water bottles and the sports drink squeeze pack...but they both tasted terrible. The Leukemia Society Team in Training support was amazing...without them, it would not have been such a wonderful experience!