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The 2024 National Marathon Championships will take place this Sunday in conjunction with the Irish Life Dublin Marathon (October 27th).

The classic distance always provides plenty of drama as the likely favourites and their challengers tackle the 26.2 mile test around the streets of Dublin. The battle for both the senior men’s and women’s titles should be hotly contested with several athletes boasting strong recent form heading into the weekend.

Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) has enjoyed a stellar year on the roads, highlighted most recently with his national half marathon title which he picked up in Charleville last month, clocking a 1:04:35. The Ballina athlete is sure to be one of the hot favourites for Sunday’s title, with a reproduction of his 2:13:24 from Hamburg back in April sure to have him right there.

Ryan Creech (Leevale AC) was second to Stephen Scullion in last year’s marathon championship race and once again looks primed for a big performance on the streets of Dublin. Creech set a PB over the marathon distance in Seville earlier this season, with his time of 2:12:28 the fastest by any Irish athlete this year. The Leevale athlete was runner up to Armstrong at the national half in Charleville, and that 1:04:54 performance should have him ready for another tilt at gold, while Ryan Forsyth (Newcastle & District AC) was third in the championship race last year and should be right in contention once more.

Several others will also fancy their chances of getting into contention, with an entry from Hiko Tonosa Haso (Dundrum South Dublin) sure to have much influence on proceedings should he take his place on the start-line. The DSD athlete clocked a 1:02:46 half marathon in Larne in August and could very well run himself into contention if taking to the line.

Others to look out for include David McGlynn (Waterford AC) who clocked a 1:05:04 half marathon PB in Larne, while Eoghan Totten’s (Newcastle and District AC) third at the national half will give him plenty of confidence.

Clonliffe Harriers look to have another strong representation as they bid to defend their superb 2023 team title. Clane AC and Crusaders AC picked up superb podium places last year and are sure to give another bold showing, albeit with both teams potentially missing some of last year’s medal winning team members.

Ann-Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC) looks set to return to Dublin in defence of the title which she won in superb fashion this time last year with a 2:34:13.

McGlynn peaked at exactly the right time last year, and a similar run-in which has seen her clock a 1:13:54 half in Belfast last month, looks set to have her primed for another huge run on Sunday.

McGlynn already boasts a 2:33:31 marathon from Seville back in February, a performance which ranks as the second fastest time by an Irishwoman this season, only behind Fionnuala McCormack’s 2:30:12 in Paris.

McGlynn’s team-mate Caitriona Jennings also holds an entry with the 42km distance unlikely to trouble the 50km specialist who herself boasts a 2:44:23 marathon from earlier this season.

The Letterkenny contingent will face competition from Gladys Ganiel of North Belfast Harriers, who finished second in last year’s national championship race, while Caitlyn Harvey (Road Runners AC) is another who has impressed on the roads this year.

Several athletes come into this weekend on the back of strong half marathon performances including Ciara Wilson (DMP AC) and Grace Lynch (Dundrum South Dublin) who both have clocked 1:15 half marathons in recent months.

Leevale’s Michelle Finn (Leevale AC) holds an entry, with the two-time Olympian sure to thrive over the longer distances in the years to come, while 2021 national 5000m champion Aoife Kilgallon (Sligo AC) also looks set to step up to the marathon distance.

St Peter’s AC walked away with a memorable team title last year and once again look to have a strong hand, while Raheny Shamrock AC and Galway City Harriers will both have eyes on improving on last year’s respective second and third places finishes in the team standings.

There will be no shortage of drama in the race for category honours which look as competitive as ever with over to 3,700 championship entries set to battle it out.

The race start time is set for 8.45am with race results available on the Dublin Marathon website. National Marathon results will be made available after this year’s Dublin Marathon once they have been verified.

You can view the course map HERE.

Important National Marathon Participant Information

Number swapping is strictly prohibited. Please do not give your number to another Participant. Both Dublin Marathon and Athletics Ireland prohibit numbers to be transferred to another person.

Any marathon championship entry who swaps their number will be removed from the results and unable to compete in future national marathon championships.