Those training for the Dublin will be pleased to learn the incline into the Phoenix at Chapelizod, which ended the hopes of many, will not feature in the October Bank holiday.
A new course has been designed for this year's race which is expected to attract 4 000 athletes.
As is now usual the race will start in O'Connell Street outside the GPO at 9.00 a.m. and travel out to UCD with the lineline up Foster Avenue a sure test.
Wending its way back to St Stephens Green the course travels up the Coombe and out to Harold's Cross and Templevill Road in Templeogue.
Competitors will then head for Chapelizod and a welcome flat run alongside the Phoenix Park all the way back to the finish again in O'Connell Street.
In an effort to increase the numbers participating the organisers, Business Houses Athletic Association, have concentrated on attracting numbers from abroad with almost 400 Americans travelling.
Canada's Peter Maher, who attempted to change his nationality last July to compete for Ireland in the Atlanta Olympics and with a best of two hours 11 minutes for the distance is expected to compete. He will face strong opposition from last year's winner Mike Musyoki of Kenya.
Trudi Thompson, will also be defending her title in the women's race.
