Spectating at the Upcoming Marathon

roco71

As my wife is running her first marathon in Dublin in a few weeks I was wondering if someone who has good knowledge of getting about the city could advise me please? I want to try and be in 3 locations along the route to cheer her on if possible

1. Inchicore Road
2. Milltown Road
3. The finish in Merrion Square North

I will have 2 kids, a 10 year old and a 7 year old and will have a car with me but will not have a notion about travel restrictions and how that will impact on my getting around. I have a fairly average knowledge of driving between these places without traffic restrictions but not a clue where to go if they have the roads closed off. I am travelling up from Waterford on the morning in question so any advice would be most helpful. Perhaps someone could suggest 2 other locations that I could get to easier and still make the finish line area.

I would appreciate any suggestions, thanks in advance

Econoline Van

I've ran three and I can tell you the places you most want to see a friendly face is in the last 6 miles or so when you're starting to suffer. Near UCD could be a good spot, the road is still open, iirc, as we run over the flyover and down Nutley Lane. Outside the RDS could work too, the road back into town towards Mount Street should still be open. You could be on Roebuck Road/Clonskeagh/Milltown are and maybe drive down towards the RDS, approaching it via the Donnybrook way?

xebec

Your best bet is to use the Luas for transport where possible - traffic restrictions are very common and can cause congestion issues. Saying that, I'm not sure what the Luas red line restrictions are like on marathon day... Suggestions would be:

- Luas to Heuston/St James', 15 minute walk to Kilmainham Gaol area
- back into town then Green line to Milltown, see her passing under bridge there
- back into town again for finish on Merrion Sq

Should be no problems timewise making all these (as long as you don't miss her in the crowd). Best of luck to her, it's a great experience

roco71

Thanks Guys, I was thinking it might be best to use the Red line in from Red Cow and see them near Hueston at the early stages and then make my way out to Milltown on the Green line, then back to the finish. Only thing is I will need the car close to the finish as she wont be in any mood for walking after it I am sure. :D

roco71

Should be no problems timewise making all these (as long as you don't miss her in the crowd). Best of luck to her, it's a great experience [/QUOTE]


As it is her first one she is aiming to finish first (and hopefully in 4:30) so I imagine we might make it around in time.

rhapsody

xebec wrote: »

as long as you don't miss her in the crowd

I would think this would be very likely?

Also, is it ok to cheer at non-designated spots?

Econoline Van

roco71 wrote: »

Thanks Guys, I was thinking it might be best to use the Red line in from Red Cow and see them near Hueston at the early stages and then make my way out to Milltown on the Green line, then back to the finish. Only thing is I will need the car close to the finish as she wont be in any mood for walking after it I am sure. :D

She won't be in the mood but keep her walking after it anyway, otherwise the legs seize up something awful and she'll be hobbling round the place for days.

roco71

Econoline Van wrote: »

She won't be in the mood but keep her walking after it anyway, otherwise the legs seize up something awful and she'll be hobbling round the place for days.

Thanks Econoline Van, she has said this morning that she will have to keep walking afterwards anyway so I may leave the car at the Red Cow and use public transport after that.

SlowSprint

I'd agree with EV - the best spots will be during the last 6 miles, for two reasons - she will need the encouragement most here, but also she wont be lost in a crowd at this stage as nearly all of the field has spread out at this stage.

roco71

ok guys, I think I can make this happen based on Rose running a 10 minute mile (ish) pace

1. Park at Red Cow, Luas into Goldenbridge stop, walk up to Dolphins Bridge to see her passing, big cheers (Mile marker 11)

2. Back to Red Cow on Luas, drive to Sandyford Luas Park & Ride, Luas into Milltown, walk to Spar Spectators area, big cheers (Mile Marker 18)

3. Back onto Luas into Stephens Green to see finish, humongous cheers and applause (Mile Marker 26.2)

What you think?? As I can't split myself in two unfortunately. I understand that maximum encouragement will be required in the last 6 or so, I just think I might be cutting it too fine to get a spot within the 6 mile mark and then make the finish line. I am completely open to suggestions. Thanks again in advance

SlowSprint

sounds good. And I'd suggest a quick detour for a bunch of flowers at the finish line.

roco71

SlowSprint wrote: »

sounds good. And I'd suggest a quick detour for a bunch of flowers at the finish line.

Thought they might be appropriate but maybe she might prefer a cold one instead. Perhaps both

Victor

Map http://dublinmarathon.ie/map-2011.pdf

xebec wrote: »

Your best bet is to use the Luas for transport where possible - traffic restrictions are very common and can cause congestion issues. Saying that, I'm not sure what the Luas red line restrictions are like on marathon day...

Luas Red Line is likely to be severly curtailed in the city centre (Smithfield-Connolly/The Point) from about 0950-1030.

You could give her a cheer at the North Circular Road Gate to the Phoenix Park and again at Rialto - she would have to cover 6 miles against your 1.6 (part by tram if you wish Heuston-Rialto). http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Infirmary+Rd&daddr=S+Circular+Rd&hl=en&sll=53.346401,-6.29508&sspn=0.02275,0.077162&geocode=FQcXLgMdNuaf_w%3BFW7eLQMdNOGf_w&vpsrc=0&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=luc&t=m&z=14

roco71 wrote: »

1. Park at Red Cow, Luas into Goldenbridge stop, walk up to Dolphins Bridge to see her passing, big cheers (Mile marker 11)

A possibly better option is to go to Rialto Stop and cheer her at the bridge over the Luas, right next to the stop. http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Infirmary+Rd&daddr=S+Circular+Rd&hl=en&ll=53.337619,-6.299313&spn=0.001422,0.004823&sll=53.346401,-6.29508&sspn=0.02275,0.077162&geocode=FQcXLgMdNuaf_w%3BFW7eLQMdNOGf_w&vpsrc=6&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=luc&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.33773,-6.299349&panoid=TX8_sGx74FpMjT-tYfDIbg&cbp=12,78.92,,0,5.51

I just think I might be cutting it too fine to get a spot within the 6 mile mark and then make the finish line.

You could do so at the UCD flyover and then get a bus into the city centre. bus stop and bridge in view here: http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=University+College+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.309024,-6.218129&spn=0.002846,0.009645&sll=53.323286,-6.258945&sspn=0.045525,0.154324&vpsrc=6&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&hq=University+College+Dublin&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.309024,-6.218129&panoid=lVcHNbD_i_MsgjGYUySMPQ&cbp=12,339.94,,0,9.57

Or do so at Merrion Road and get a DART.

Parking at Red Cow and then at Sandyford sounds bit mad.

Depending on what you choose, look at getting either an all-day Luas or Lus+bus or Luas+rail ticket, but check the prices and compare against single and return tickets.

roco71

Victor wrote: »

Map http://dublinmarathon.ie/map-2011.pdf


Luas Red Line is likely to be severly curtailed in the city centre (Smithfield-Connolly/The Point) from about 0950-1030.

You could give her a cheer at the North Circular Road Gate to the Phoenix Park and again at Rialto - she would have to cover 6 miles against your 1.6 (part by tram if you wish Heuston-Rialto). http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Infirmary+Rd&daddr=S+Circular+Rd&hl=en&sll=53.346401,-6.29508&sspn=0.02275,0.077162&geocode=FQcXLgMdNuaf_w%3BFW7eLQMdNOGf_w&vpsrc=0&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=luc&t=m&z=14
A possibly better option is to go to Rialto Stop and cheer her at the bridge over the Luas, right next to the stop. http://maps.google.ie/maps?saddr=Infirmary+Rd&daddr=S+Circular+Rd&hl=en&ll=53.337619,-6.299313&spn=0.001422,0.004823&sll=53.346401,-6.29508&sspn=0.02275,0.077162&geocode=FQcXLgMdNuaf_w%3BFW7eLQMdNOGf_w&vpsrc=6&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&mra=luc&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=53.33773,-6.299349&panoid=TX8_sGx74FpMjT-tYfDIbg&cbp=12,78.92,,0,5.51

You could do so at the UCD flyover and then get a bus into the city centre. bus stop and bridge in view here: http://maps.google.ie/maps?q=University+College+Dublin&hl=en&ll=53.309024,-6.218129&spn=0.002846,0.009645&sll=53.323286,-6.258945&sspn=0.045525,0.154324&vpsrc=6&dirflg=w&doflg=ptm&hq=University+College+Dublin&t=m&z=17&layer=c&cbll=53.309024,-6.218129&panoid=lVcHNbD_i_MsgjGYUySMPQ&cbp=12,339.94,,0,9.57

Or do so at Merrion Road and get a DART.

Parking at Red Cow and then at Sandyford sounds bit mad.

Depending on what you choose, look at getting either an all-day Luas or Lus+bus or Luas+rail ticket, but check the prices and compare against single and return tickets.

Thanks Victor, it looks like it is back to the drawing board, having the 2 kids will slow me down on the walking bit so that is why I am trying to keep that to a minimum if possible, hence the mad Red Cow & Sandymount suggestion. Maybe I might just go for around the UCD flyover area where runners probably need most encouragment and then the Dart into town to get the finish around Trinity area.

thunderdog

roco71 wrote: »

As it is her first one she is aiming to finish first (and hopefully in 4:30) so I imagine we might make it around in time.

"Finish first"....up there with the elites for her first marathon

roco71

thunderdog wrote: »

As it is her first one she is aiming to finish first (and hopefully in 4:30) so I imagine we might make it around in time.

"Finish first"....up there with the elites for her first marathon [/QUOTE]


Well Spotted thunderdog

roco71

To all who contributed to my question, I would like to thank you all very much for the advice. It all worked out for us and the boss finished with a smile and a spring in her step in 4:30 so she is thrilled with herself even if she was a little wet or should I say a lot wet.