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MARATHON COUNTDOWN: THERE IS some research to suggest that if you're training for a marathon you'd do well to steer clear of running by major roads because of the fumes from cars and trucks, while it's generally accepted that pounding away on hard surfaces can take its toll on your knees.

Still, as more than 3,000 people living in the Dublin area enter the last two weeks of their preparations for this year's race day, the city's pavements are still where most of them can be seen.