1. The most dangerous corner was the VERY FIRST ONE where, having surged forward together, everyone ground to a halt to wave to the cameras massed on a platform on Harcourt St.
2. The amount of gels. A lot of us use them, and wouldn’t have survived without that goo, but some people have so many strapped around their waists that their belts resembled Mexican bandoliers. Plus, that packaging takes like a thousand years to degrade.
3. The fancy dress on runners: the bloke dressed as a fighter jet; someone in a full, furry leprechaun outfit, carrying the head because his own head was already a red, sweaty mess.
4. The fancy dress on spectators: we spotted a rhino at the zoo, a Banana in Pajamas, several Roman gladiators, and some people standing at their front doors covered in smeared make-up left over from the party the night before.
5. The Spar parties. It has to be said that each shop put on a great display. In a year when the Dublin City Marathon had no title sponsor, the convenience chain did a good job in grabbing some glory.
6. High-fiving kids. Some say you shouldn’t get distracted by it; others thrive on it. We say that high fiving kids is always a good way to get into the spirit. The one high-fiving granny we encountered was a bit unnerving.
7. The banners: the “mortuary ahead, look alive” banner was perhaps the most commented upon, but we also liked the “Keep Running Stranger!” banner, while “Thank You Pheidippides” was one for the Greek scholars among us.
8. The barbecue at half way: great for the spectators, hell for the runners.
9. The crowds: it was hard not to run through College Green while thinking that this is a bit like how riding the Tour de France must be. Brilliant stuff.
