Marathon Mission 2012 to boost Domestic Elite Running Standards

The Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon and Athletics Ireland have embarked on a joint initiative to revive the Irish tradition of excellence in distance running. ‘Marathon Mission’ aims to create an environment to help some of Ireland’s aspiring Elite marathoners realise their full potential and increase competitiveness and visibility of the National Marathon Championships which are annually incorporated into the Dublin Marathon.

\"Despite the increase in social running and record levels of Irish participation in this year’s Dublin Marathon, the standard of Irish Elite running has dropped considerably over the last decade.\" said Race Director Jim Aughney \"Eleven of the first fourteen Dublin Marathons were won by Irish runners, routinely running sub 2:20; yet there has not been an Irish winner in fifteen years. The growth in overseas Elite entries seems to have coincided with a decline in domestic elite running standards.\" Jim Davis Athletics Ireland National Endurance Coach said \"An initiative like Marathon Mission is the way forward, but it’s going to take a number
of years to bear fruition. Getting competitive marathon teams together for London 2012 would be a bit ambitious, and Rio 2016 would be more realistic. The talent is there to work with and the first thing we have to do is interest the right
type of athlete in marathon running.

\"In light of this trend, the Dublin Marathon and AAI have pioneered a programme to improve runner’s times and revive the quality of participation at the main marathon events in the country\" he added.

Any athlete who meets the qualification criteria (Men Sub 2.25, Women Sub 2.45) will be invited to become part of the squad. The Marathon Mission Management team will also seek out indications of marathon potential in young athletes who do not intend to debut in a marathon for 2-3 years. The first took place on Saturday, 16th January.

Marathon Mission objectives:

Improve the competitive depth in quality of times being run by Irish Marathoners.
To encourage and support greater participation in the Marathon and performance level amongst top ranked Irish Marathoners.
To greatly improve the prestige and competitiveness of the AAI National Marathon within the Dublin Marathon.
To entice and attract top calibre Irish distance runners to compete in the
Dublin Marathon event on a consistent basis.
To raise standards to a level where Irish Marathoners resume the tradition of qualifying for all major championships.

Qualification Criteria:

Men Women
Sub 2.25 Marathon Sub 2.45 Marathon
Sub 67.30 Half Marathon Sub 79.30 Half Marathon
Sub 50.00 10 Miles Sub 60.00 10 Miles

Anyone who has achieved any of those times since 1st January 2009 and up to 30th September 2010 and who has Marathon ambitions will be invited to become part of the squad.

Benefits for Participating Athletes:

Consideration and support for Altitude Training Camp / Warm Weather Training Camp.
Assistance towards suitable international competition / Specialised coaching assistance
Opportunity to train and work with like- minded athletes in a competitive environment.
Re-assurance that both AAI and Dublin Marathon are trying to help athletes excel.
Graded Financial Incentives for athletes who achieve Sub 2.25 (Men) and Sub 2.45 (Women) times in Dublin Marathon in addition to any place money earned.
Gear / shoes from adidas.