National Lottery Announced as Dublin Marathon Title Sponsor

The National Lottery was today announced as the new title sponsor of the Dublin Marathon. This agreement also includes the Race Series, which takes place in the Phoenix Park in July, August and September 2011 in preparation for the main Marathon event.

This announcement was made earlier today by Dublin Marathon Race Director Jim Aughney, in the company of National Lottery Chief Executive, Dermot Griffin.

“We are delighted to have the National Lottery on board as our new title sponsor this year” said Aughney. “They share our vision and aims for the growth of the Dublin Marathon. It is a huge endorsement of what we have achieved to date, and strong support for our development plans, to have such a sponsor involved.”

It was also announced that the 2011 National Lottery Dublin Marathon will be broadcast live on RTÉ Two and streamed worldwide on RTÉ.ie, with an additional highlights package broadcast later that week.

“This is the first time in 20 years that the Dublin Marathon will go out live on television and the National Lottery support has been instrumental in bringing live coverage back. We are greatly appreciative of RTÉ’s commitment (to Dublin) and the ability this now gives us to showcase the National Lottery Dublin Marathon to a wider audience” said Jim Aughney.

Speaking at today’s launch, Dermot Griffin, Chief Executive of the National Lottery said:

‘Through our sponsorship of this year’s Dublin Marathon, we’re hoping to bring a little bit of magic to this event. For a start, we are delighted that our involvement will make it possible for everyone to watch the race live on RTÉ. We are also pleased to help promote this unique sporting event to as many people as possible in the coming months through the associated Race Series’, he finished.

Ryle Nugent, Group Head of Sport, RTÉ said: “As the national public service broadcaster RTÉ is delighted to be broadcasting the National Lottery Dublin Marathon to audiences in Ireland and worldwide with our coverage across television, radio, online and news. With thousands of runners and athletes from both home and abroad competing in the event, this year’s marathon will showcase the athletes’ achievements on both a personal and elite level.”

Last year, a record 13,500 people participated in the Dublin Marathon, and over 20,000 people took part in the Race Series. The economic value of the Dublin Marathon to the city of Dublin over the Bank Holiday weekend is estimated at over €10 million. Aughney says it is impossible to put a value on the benefit to Irish and International charities.

“A huge percentage of the 13,000-plus runners, joggers and walkers who take part in Dublin do so on behalf of a charity” added Aughney. “In times like these, events like the National Lottery Dublin Marathon become even more valuable as a potential fund raiser for charities and good causes around the country”.

The National Lottery Dublin Marathon takes place on Bank Holiday Monday, 31 October 2011.

For further information or to register www.dublinmarathon.ie or
www.facebook.com/dublinmarathon


2011 National Lottery Race Series
Irish Runner 5 mile - Saturday 16 July 2011
Frank Duffy 10 Mile - Saturday 20 August 2011
Dublin Half-Marathon - Saturday 17 September 2011

2011 National Lottery Dublin Marathon – Bank Holiday Monday, 31 October 2011