Imagine running the Dublin Marathon 10 times!

Emer Buckley, Sports Tours’ newly appointed rep, is a passionate runner who’s love for the sport has taken her around the world, running 24 marathons, completing her 6 stars and running the Dublin Marathon an outstanding 10 times! Emer shares her top tips to conquer the course but also her deep connection to the Dublin Marathon, a race that has been central to her running journey.

Emer, tell us a bit about yourself. What inspired you to start running?

Running has always been a part of my family. Every year, we’d head to Dublin for the marathon, as someone from the family was always running. I loved the buzz around the event. There was a short period when no one in my family was running. So, in 2014, I took it upon myself to start running it, and I’ve kept at it ever since. Running has become central to my life. It’s not just a hobby, it’s something I love deeply.

How did you become a rep for Sports Tours Ireland?

To be honest, I heckled them until they paid attention! I saw on their website that they were looking for running reps, and I knew it was something I wanted to do. I had travelled with Sports Tours many times before and really appreciated the support from their reps. I thought it would be amazing to offer that same help to other runners.

You’ve run the Dublin Marathon 10 times. What made you want to do it repeatedly?

I always thought I’d only run one marathon, but here I am signing up each year! Over the years, I’ve shared the course with my family, If I wasn’t running Dublin, I’d still want to watch from the sidelines, but I’d feel like I was missing out if I knew I was physically able to run. For now, I’ll keep running it as long as I can, and when I can’t, I’ll happily cheer from the sidelines again.

Looking back, what do you wish you knew before your first Dublin Marathon?

In my experience, the weather during the Dublin Marathon is generally mild, runners don’t usually need to worry too much about being too hot or cold. You can typically wear the same gear you’ve trained in.

One of my early lessons was about the camber of the road. It’s tempting to run near the curbs where there’s more space but be mindful that the slope of the road can cause issues if one foot is slightly higher than the other. This can lead to niggles over time, so try to stick to the centre of the road when possible.

What are your top tips for completing the Dublin Marathon? Any key sections of the course to watch out for?

Start slow! There’s no rush to break away from the crowd in the first mile – you’ll have plenty of time to pick up the pace later. The city centre start can be tricky with bollards, speed ramps, and traffic cones, so be aware of your surroundings.

There are a few inclines along the course, but don’t stress about slowing down on them – you can make up time on the downhills. If you’re aiming for a certain time but still want to enjoy the day, consider running with the pacers. They know the course well and can guide you through the tough parts.

What are the challenges of the Dublin Marathon course, and what’s your favourite part of the route?

There are a few hilly sections, but they tend to be where the best supporters are, so you might not even notice the climbs! Heartbreak Hill is a challenge, but the massive crowd support makes it more bearable. Plus, once you hit mile 22/23 and tackle that hill, you’re nearly home. It is truly a memorable course, and I can’t wait to see so many of our runners taking it on this year!