Miles 1 – 2: The first 2 miles are generally quite flat with a slight downhill section after roughly 1.5 miles. The first 2 miles are useful to get into a good rhythm however its very important to not get too carried away in the first 2 miles. Stick to your pace and race plan. It will be very crowded for the first few miles so keep calm and try and not exert too much energy!
Miles 2 – 7: So from mile 2 all the way to mile 7 in Castleknock there is a gradual incline. Its quite deceptive as it doesn’t feel like a massive incline but it’s gradually uphill for roughly 5 miles. Its important not to run your race in these 5 miles and go at a pace that whilst may feel easy at this point may have a potentially damaging affect later on. Even being slightly off Marathon goal effort during this stage is fine. As you get into Phoenix Park and run all the way up Chesterfield Avenue get into a good rhythm but don’t get sucked into too fast a pace. I cannot stress how important it is not to exert youself too much during this section. If you’re a small bit off your target Marathon pace that’s completely fine theres plenty of fast miles to come!
Miles 7 – 10: This section is quite downhill particularly from mile 7 to 8 before you re-enter Phoenix Park. Theres a slight incline at the Knockmaroon Gate as you come back into Phoenix Park before another sharp decline all the way down to Chapelizod Gate as you leave Phoenix Park before coming onto the Chaeplizod Road as you make your way to the 10 mile mark.
Miles 10 – 13: Just after the 10 mile mark there is a steep incline at St Laurences Hill but after this its relatively flat as you head for Kilmainham, with another short decline leading into an incline as you turn left onto the South Circular Road and head towards Crumlin crossing the 13 mile and Half way mark just past Dolphins Barn Bridge.
Miles 13 – 15: As you pass the Half way mark you are running all the way up the Crumlin Road with a gradual incline for this whole mile. This is a mile where you need to focus and not get too carried away either. It’s a deceptively tough mile. The first year I ran Dublin I underestimated this section of the course and payed for it later on. Don’t be too worried if this mile is slightly slower than your target Marathon pace, this is a tough mile. As you head up towards the Drimnagh Road and then towards the Walkinstown Roundabout the road flattens out and you get into a good rhythm here!
Miles 15 – 18: This part of the course is relatively flat as you head down Kimmage Road West and turn right at the KCR and head towards Bushy Park.
Miles 18 – 21: This in my opinion is the fastest section of the course. For the most part its either downhill or flat during all of this section. You go by Bushy Park on the way towards Rathgar before heading towards Orwell Road with a sharp decline as you run down the Milltown Road and head towards the 20 Mile mark where there is a slight incline before levelling off again towards the 21 mile mark.
Miles 21 – 23: From just before the 21 mile Mark for 2k it is gradually uphill. At the 22mile mark you hit the famous “Heartbreak Hill” which is uphill for roughly 300 metres. I honestly think this section is not as bad as its made out to be however its important to save some energy for this section and run even effort throughout this section as opposed to attacking it too aggressively. The good news is after Heartbreak Hill you turn left onto a nice downhill section all the way to the 23 mile Mark.
Miles 23 – Finish: From mile 23 – 24 its gradually downhill as you pass the UCD Flyover before turning right onto Nutley Lane before turning left just past the 24mile Mark onto Merrion road. From here to the finish its more or less straight and flat with great support as you go by the 25mile mark at the RDS and start to experience huge amounts of supporters both sides of the road. Soak up the atmosphere all the way to the finish line :)
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