Not everyone got on board with the idea of deciding Dublin Marathon entries based on a lottery system.
The ever-increasing demand for places in the Dublin Marathon saw organisers announce that the entry process would no longer be based on a first-come, first-served system.
It was announced earlier this week that future applications for the Dublin Marathon would be decided via a lottery system, with 22,500 places up for grabs for next year's race.
Speaking on Wednesday, race director Jim Aughney said that "demand for the Dublin Marathon has never been greater, and we believe the lottery is the fairest system to offer all runners the same opportunity to participate."
https://twitter.com/LovinDublin/status/1189303646745485314
There was significant backlash to the change, as loyal runners hit out at the possibility that they could be denied a place in the 2020 race because of the random selection process.
Such was the criticism from regular participants, the Dublin Marathon quickly amended their plans and confirmed that individuals who took part in any of the last three Dublin Marathons - 2017, 2018 or 2019 - would be guaranteed entry to next year's race "provided they enter within 72 hours of receiving the unique URL that will be issued to them at 12 noon on Friday, 1 November."
https://twitter.com/LovinDublin/status/1189540800293724170
As for those who have not competed in the last three editions of the Dublin Marathon, their place in the race will be decided by the lottery system.
A registration fee of €15 per lottery entry applies but that will be fully refundable if the applicant is not successful and fully redeemable against entry fee if the applicant is successful.
Entry to the 2020 Dublin Marathon lottery will be open tomorrow, November 1, and will run until November 30.
