News

National championship action returns to the roads this weekend as over 1800 participants take to the start-line of the Dunboyne 10k, many of whom will be battling it out for national honours come 12pm on Sunday (March 23rd).

The race has attracted quality fields in both the men’s and women’s races, with hosts Dunboyne AC also boasting a bumper entry of over 60 athletes.

The women’s race is stacked, with all three of last year’s podium finishers set to return to the fast 10k route out around the roads of Dunboyne. Shona Heaslip (An Riocht) stormed clear of the field over the final kilometres last year to cross in a course record time of 32:49 which she will be hoping to replicate once more.

Heaslip was followed home last year by Ann Marie McGlynn (Letterkenny AC) 33:10 and Fiona Everard (Bandon AC) 33:22, both of whom will challenge again on Sunday. There will be no shortage of those fighting for the podium positions this year however with national marathon silver medallist Aoife Kilgallon (Sligo AC) set to join national cross country champion Niamh Allen (Leevale AC) on the start-line. Hannah Steeds (Leevale AC) enjoyed a win at the recent Streets of Portlaoise 5k and should be right there alongside teammate Lizzie Lee (Leevale AC).

Danielle Donegan (Tullamore Harriers) will likely lead the Tullamore challenge as they look to defend the senior team title, while Emma McEvoy and Meghan Ryan should lead a strong showing from DSD.

Pierre Murchan (Dublin City Harriers) appears to be the only one of last year’s national 10k medallists returning to this year’s championship race as he bids to go one better having finished second to Sean Tobin twelve months previous. All three of last year’s podium finishers broke the 30-minute mark with Tobin clocking a winning time of 29.17.

It’s likely sub-30 will be needed to secure gold once again, with it looking well within Murchan’s reach. John Travers (Donore Harriers) is sure to be there heading into the final kilometres alongside the likes of Martin Hoare (Celbridge), Jamie Fallon, and William Fitzgerald, while David McGlynn can’t be ruled out from making a mark.

Killian Mooney (DSD) broke 15 minutes at the recent Streets of Portlaoise and comes into the weekend in flying form, while local talent Cillian Gleeson (Celbridge) is one to keep an eye on.

Rathfarham WSAF will be out to defend their senior men’s title with chief threat likely coming from Clonliffe Harriers who were second in 2024.

Racing gets underway from 12pm, with race information and maps available HERE. Entry lists can be found HERE, and provisional results will be available on MyRunResults HERE.