Renault ties up with Dublin Marathon

The winners of the 2013 Dublin Marathon will be able to rest their weary legs behind the wheel of a brand new Renault Fluence ZE following a tie-up between the French brand and event organisers. The new partnership will see both the male and female winners of the event presented with a brand new electric car with a third car the top prize in a draw for all entrants in the Marathon or associated Race Series.

Speaking at the announcement to mark the partnership, Duncan Minto, Managing Director, Renault Ireland, commented: "The Fluence Z.E. is one of our range of 100% electric vehicles and its clean, silent engine and automatic transmission gives you the maximum torque from the off, with smooth and responsive acceleration, a lot like many of the participants who will be participating in the Marathon!"

For the first time since 1994 the likelihood of winning the Dublin Marathon outright has never been higher with the announcement that there will be no invited elite field for this year's event.

"We are in a position now where we will not have an invited elite field, so we believe it is very likely that the 2013 winners will be Irish," commented Race Director Jim Aughney. "The last Irish winner was Sonia O'Sullivan in 2000, and you to go back to 1993 and John Treacy for the last time an Irish man won the race."

The 2012 Dublin Marathon and Race Series enjoyed another record entry level, with over 14,200 entering the Marathon, and a combined total of over 22,000 runners, joggers and walkers entering the race series. The Fingal 10km, which was a new addition to the Race Series in 2012, will again take place this year after phenomenal interest last year.

"We know there are numerous race events now every week around the country, but we are confident that the Race Series will still be as strongly supported as ever," said Aughney. "We are fully committed to ensuring they remain the safe, well organised and fun events they have proved to be over the years."

The Dublin Marathon takes places in Dublin on Monday 28 October 2013. The first event in the Race Series, the Irish Runner 5 mile, is on Saturday 29 June.

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