Plans to move the Dublin Marathon outside of the city centre next year are “completely hare-brained”, according to a local councillor.

It emerged over the weekend that the former Dublin City Council CEO Owen Keegan asked marathon organisers to move the start and finish lines for next year’s event.

That came after the National Transport Authority (NTA) complained about the "disproportionate adverse impact" the race has on public transport in the city each year.

Race organisers have warned that the city centre location is central to event’s appeal – and any attempt to move it away from the city centre would see it losing prestige internationally.

On Lunchtime Live this afternoon, Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn hit out at the proposed changes.

“This is a completely hair-brained idea,” he said.

“It flies in the face of the 15-minute city and it flies in the face of pedestrianisation and bringing more people into the city to walk and enjoy it.

“It's another attack on the city. What really is rather peculiar and hypocritical is that this is supposed to be about getting people back into cars and to facilitate transportation around the city in the guise of BusConnects – which will end up being a privatised public transport mode.

“So really, it is particularly appalling.”

Catherine Rohan from Limerick during the 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon, 29-10-2023. Image: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Cllr Flynn insisted calls to move the marathon are “null and void” because Mr Keegan is no longer the DCC chief and the NTA is not an elected body.

“Here's an event that brings in thousands of people, it's internationally recognised, it's a fantastic event as we just saw that weekend just gone and here and here they want to reroute it?” he said.

“Would you reroute the St Patrick’s Day parade - like they did the last time, which again was a hairbrained idea - or indeed, would you reroute the commemorations of 1916 that take place on our streets every year?”

Jenni Connell during the 2023 Irish Life Dublin Marathon, 29-10-2023. Image: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

He said those behind the call “wouldn't dream of attacking the GAA and Croke Park or any of the other well-looked after and well-represented sporting events” the city hosts each year.

“This is simply an attack on our citizenry who just simply want to be able to run, enjoy themselves, run around their city - what a great way to see it - and of course the citizens of the city really, really like this.

“So the idea that this can be just willy-nilly rerouted before it comes towards the local representatives is simply appalling.”

Dublin city Marathon organisers say the event is worth €25.6m to Dublin and raised around €9m for charity.

They say a review of this year’s race will include an examination of the start and finish locations, which could lead to a discussion about potential changes.

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