13 Tweets Summing Up The Shambles Of The Dublin Half-Marathon
The Dublin Half-Marathon took place in Newbridge Demesne park this morning, moved from its usual location, the Phoenix Park. The transition however didn't go to plan. The start time had to be delayed by some 30 minutes, from 9:30am to 10am due to severe traffic congestion. The M1 became jammed with cars driven by runners trying to get to the event. With delays of more than two hours, many decided to cut their losses and head home.
The director of the race Jim Aughney has apologised to everyone who took part and to those who weren't able to due to the difficulties. In a statement, he said “a full traffic management review will be underway with all stakeholders post-event”.
Needless to say, people were not best pleased by the shambolic turn of events, with many voicing their frustrations on Twitter.
Ambulance after passing on M1 either someone’s collapsed of stress or someone’s murdered one of the organisers #DublinHalfMarathon
— Vinnie Flaherty (@Vinnieflaherty) September 23, 2017
"Let's have the #DublinHalfMarathon in Newbrige Demense." said nobody intelligent ever. #TrafficChaos
— Barry Doyle (@bmpdoyle) September 23, 2017
No Dublin half marathon for me, 70 mins and have moved 400m on M1, homeward bound now ?. Some genius planning this was! #DublinHalfMarathon
— liam sheridan (@lidzer) September 23, 2017
Standing beside a girl who's doing her warm up stretches while smoking a fag. #DublinHalfMarathon
— Same Old Disco (@NiamhMcDisco) September 23, 2017
Have abandoned the race and decided to destress & let traffic die down with a coffee-good luck to whoever can run it #DublinHalfMarathon
— Richard Deane (@RichardDeane77) September 23, 2017
The sacking of the #DublinHalfMarathon organisers has been delayed by 45 minutes
— Some Dad (@_SomeDad) September 23, 2017
There is a certain irony about 10,000 runners being held up by their own traffic.#DublinHalfMarathon
— El_Poderoso (@ronanodowd) September 23, 2017
Congratulations @dublinmarathon - trending 1st & 2nd ? #DublinHalfMarathon pic.twitter.com/Lr705R0ZfR
— Richard Doyle (@rfrankdoyle) September 23, 2017
Car abandoned. 5km walk to the start. Ready to kill. #DublinHalfMarathon pic.twitter.com/l8DKYfWWbi
— Same Old Disco (@NiamhMcDisco) September 23, 2017
Best advice to anyone trying to come to the #DublinHalfMarathon,turn around , go home and run elsewhere @dublinmarathon
— Karl Henry (@karlhenrypt) September 23, 2017
Think I'll be going for PB today just so I can get out of the car park quicker after #DublinHalfMarathon #lifegoals :|
— Eric Leahy (@EricLeahy) September 23, 2017
#DublinHalfMarathon is the M1 the car park ?
— Richard (@runningdub) September 23, 2017
#DublinHalfMarathon organisers pic.twitter.com/aEp6TA9lZg
— Ciaran Carr (@ciarancarr) September 23, 2017
For the good of all involved, it's probably best it returns to the Phoenix Park next year.