HOW SAFE is it to run marathons? On Monday, the streets of Dublin will close as the city is swallowed up by thousands of athletes who hope to complete the 26-mile course. However the public liability insurance of £2 million has been taken out by the organisers in case any spectators get hurt in the race. The runners, however, are not covered. According to Lloyds, marathons are specifically excluded from insurance because they are viewed as "forseen risks". Check the small print folks.