Championship racing returns to the roads this weekend as the National 5km Championships take centre stage in the Phoenix Park on Saturday, May 16th. National honours will once again be up for grabs as more than 800 championship athletes join the masses for the 2026 Irish Runner 5k, supported by Active Cities Dublin, with the race set to begin at 9:30am on Chesterfield Avenue.
Strong fields are expected across both the men’s and women’s races, with several national champions and podium finishers preparing to test themselves once again around the iconic Phoenix Park circuit.
Men’s Race
With defending champion James Gormley not currently among the entries, the men’s title looks wide open, and several athletes will fancy their chances of leading the field home.
Jake O’Regan (St John’s AC) is among the standout entries following his superb victory at the Limerick Marathon earlier this month. Ian Guiden (Clonliffe Harriers) is not currently among the entries, but few would rule him out should he make the field before Friday’s 12pm deadline, particularly after the impressive form that saw him claim the national 10km title on the roads of the Phoenix Park last month.
Emmet Jennings (DSD AC) is no stranger to success in the Park and is expected to spearhead another strong Dundrum South Dublin challenge. Clubmate Killian Mooney is also entered and will be aiming to improve on last year’s third-place finish.
Former champion Kieran Kelly (Raheny Shamrock AC), who stormed to victory in 2024, also looks set to return to the start line.
In last year’s team standings, DSD finished ahead of Raheny Shamrock and Galway City Harriers, and all three clubs look likely to feature prominently once again.
Women’s Race
The women’s race also looks set to have a new champion in the absence of defending title holder Hannah Gilliland (Annadale Striders) among the entries at the time of writing.
Emily Haggard Kearney (North Belfast Harriers) looks one of the standout contenders following her commanding victory at last month’s National 10km Championships. The in-form athlete is currently building towards the European 10,000m Cup in Italy on May 23rd, leaving the question of whether she will chase another national title this weekend still to be answered.
Finn Valley’s Amy Greene, who won this title in 2024 at just 19 years of age, returns in her bid to reclaim the crown. Meghan Ryan (DSD AC) also boasts excellent course credentials, having won the national 5-mile title in 2023 before adding the national 10-mile title last year.
Her clubmate Ella Fennelly, silver medallist in 2025, will also be among the contenders, while strong performances can also be expected from Edel Monaghan (DCH), Ciara Wilson (DMP AC), and Sheila O’Byrne (Parnell AC), who recently finished third at the Great Ireland Run.
DSD claimed the senior women’s team title last year ahead of Annadale Striders, with MSB finishing third. Another bold showing can be expected from the Dubliners.
Final entries close on Friday, May 15th at 12 noon. Preview based on entries received at the time of writing.
- Race Start: 9:30am on Chesterfield Avenue.
- Participant information packs will be emailed to all participants this week.
- Race information and course map
- Provisional results will be available on MyRunResults
- Senior Individual Medals with be presented on the day. Master individual medals will be available on request. All other medals not collected on the day, will be made available at the 5 Mile on the 21st of June in Phoenix Park.
- June 21st Irish Runner National 5 Mile Entry
- July 19th Irish Runner National 10 Mile Entry (Places selling fast)
Team Scoring
