1. The genuine contender
RUNNING MIGHT BE your hobby but it’s their career and they’re going to be finished before 50% of the runners have crossed the half-way mark.
Running near four minute miles for 26 miles though, they deserve your cheers.
2. The fancy dress brigade
It’s challenging enough to run a marathon without dressing like a rhino, the honey monster, or whatever else you imagine.
3. Men and women in uniform
There’s always someone running in full army or fire brigade uniform increasing the level of difficulty by 50% or more.
Paudi Thompson ran this year’s Dublin Marathon carrying a child mannequin weighing 40kg to raise awareness of mental health issues faced by young people.
4. The selfie snapper
We don’t approve of selfies in general but when you’ve just run 26.2 miles, you’re entitled to one!
5. The charity runners
The Irish Kidney Association was just one of the many, many worthwhile causes represented on marathon day this year.
6. Those who have no running left in them
We’re exhausted just thinking about it.