My Dublin Marathon: ‘The supporters were brilliant’

Carolyn Hayes

Aged 26 from Newcastle West, Co Limerick

This was my third Dublin marathon. Last year I did it with my twin sister, Rachel. This year we’ve roped my 66-year-old dad, Tony, into doing it. So it’s the three of us. It’s a real family affair. We’re all going for different times. I finished first at 3:04. I was a little slower than last year but it was a great day. I’m not a competitive runner but I do triathlons. This is the off-season. I did the marathon just to keep myself ticking over. But I’m sure there are easier things to do.

The new course is really tough with the uphills. Then in the Phoenix Park the breeze was just awful. The course was a lot harder.

But there were so many people around and everyone kind of just laughed it off. The support was amazing this year. There were so many people out. At every corner, there were people cheering you on, and it really gives you a lift. I might try to convince my mum to do it next year.

Kurt Andersen

Aged 49 from Vejle, Denmark

This was my 33rd marathon. I’ve run two a year for the last 16 years. I usually run in Berlin, Hamburg and Copenhagen. It’s my first time in Dublin but it won’t be the last time, I think. It was a really good race. It’s a beautiful city and there was a huge crowd out there. It was a great atmosphere with the crowd.

It was a little bit more difficult than the marathons in Berlin, Hamburg or Copenhagen. I live in a city in Denmark where we have bigger hills than the ones today, so it was OK. I could handle it. And the weather was really fine. It was perfect.

I’m waiting for my five friends. We’re in a running club in Denmark, and we came here together. I think I finished first. I hope so. My time was 3:18, which is good enough. I will drink some Guinness later to recover.

Martina Williams

Aged 46 from Dublin

I feel brilliant. I’m not wrecked at all. I think my emotions are overriding the physical exhaustion. The race was good and I’m very pleased with my time. I did it in 4:02. I wanted to do it in less than four hours, but with the heat and humidity today, I’m happy.

I’m definitely looking forward to having a glass of champagne and dinner with my family. I want loads of pasta. This is my fifth Dublin marathon and I’ve done them in Boston and Belfast. I’ll do them until I’m 80.

Robert Young

Aged 31 from London

I’ve done 209 marathons in 196 days. I have another race tomorrow morning. My goal is to run at least one marathon every day for a year. I started back in April. If there’s not an actual race on, I get up at 2:45am to run the equivalent of a marathon before work.

I’m doing it to raise money for a few charities: the NSPCC (a UK charity fighting to end child abuse), Dreams Come True (a charity that fulfils the dreams of terminally ill children) and the Great Ormond Street Hospital. They all help children have a better life, which is very important for me. I’m a child abuse survivor.

It was a great, fast course . I ran it in 3:33. The crowds were fantastic.

Turlach Cotter

Aged 31 from Blackrock, Co Louth

I did this to raise money for the intensive care unit in Crumlin Hospital. My friends’ baby passed away in Crumlin, and he received great care there. His name was Peter James Byrne, and he was six weeks old. I’m raising money for them.

I’m part of Team Carrie. David Carrie’s our local postman. There are 154 of us here from Louth, and we train together. It’s great. This was my first marathon, but I’m going to do another one.

It was tough. It was like hell, but it was worth it in the end. I did it in 3:40. I trained for 22 weeks alongside Team Carrie. I was out on the road four or five times a week. I wasn’t an athlete before this. I literally went from the couch to this. I started last year, and I went up as far as a half marathon. I decided to go the whole hog this year. My wife, Belinda, did the marathon in 2012, and we did the half-marathon together last year. This year she biked alongside me on the road while I was training. She’s my coach.

Lynsey Hamilton

Aged 31 from Belfast

I’ve always wanted to do a marathon. I planned to do the one in Belfast back in May, but I had a knee injury. I signed up for this at the last minute about three weeks ago.

I’m here with a bunch of people from my running club. I do a wee bit of running, but in the last few weeks I was picking up the miles.

I usually run between six to eight miles twice a week. I did the Belfast half-marathon last month. In a few weeks, I went from 13 to 26 miles.

It was tough from about mile 18. I was trying to drive myself through it.

The balls of my feet were killing me. But it was a brilliant atmosphere. The crowd just kept me going.

My time was about 3:25, which is brilliant. For my first one, I’m really chuffed and happy. I just wanted to finish in under four hours.

We’re staying down here for another night and going out to see the sights of Dublin. I’m going to cheer on a few other runners and soak up the atmosphere. I may have a wee pint while I’m here.

Gerry Cullen

Aged 49 from Swords, Co Dublin

I’m from Dublin, and it was a great experience. I had an absolutely wonderful race.

My wife, Susan, is running it as well. I’m just waiting for her to finish. She’s coming in now at any moment. This is her third marathon. We’re going to get our kids and go for a meal.

I’ve done a lot of triathlons and half-Ironmans, but this was my first stand-alone marathon.

I was hoping to do it in four hours, and I ran it in 3.55, so I’m happy. I’m feeling good, but my leg is nagging me.

I’ll definitely do more. I’m approaching 50, so I’ll keep going. I’m doing it for my health.

I found the course good. There were plenty of water stations, and there was plenty of support. There were a couple of little hills, but that’s a marathon for you, you know.

Mile 17 was the worst for me, but once I got to mile 20, I got going again. By the last two miles, I was running on adrenaline. I’m just calming down now.

It’s a great city marathon. It was well organised. The supporters were brilliant. You couldn’t get better than Dublin supporters. You wouldn’t get that in any other country.

Michael Doherty

Aged 35 from Ballina, Co Mayo

This was my fifth marathon. It was my fourth Dublin marathon, and I did one in Belfast. I’m happy because I’ve run faster in each marathon I’ve done. I think I finished in 3.05.

It was a tough race. It was hard, especially the last three miles. The wind made it even worse, and it got especially bad in the last bit by the RDS. Last year was windy and dry like this. It was lovely and cool today, so I didn’t overheat.

At one point, I was coming down a straight bit, and I thought I was at the finish line. I was delighted. But then I realised I still had a bit to go.

I started training in January, and then it really intensified in the last 10 weeks. I was more prepared for it this year. Between training, work and caring for the kids, it was hectic.

My wife has been very good to me, very supportive. It’s thanks to her that I’m here. My family aren’t here, but my friend Michael Canty ran it with me – he just ran the Berlin marathon a month ago.