The National 10 Mile titles are down for decision this weekend, with a bumper entry heading for the Phoenix Park on Sunday for the Biofreeze Irish Runner 10 Mile (July 21st).
Almost 2,500 athletes will take on the 10-mile route around the iconic park surroundings, with many looking to support their club’s pursuit of national honours.
It looks like we will have new champions crowned in the senior races in the absence of last year’s winners John Travers (Donore Harriers AC) and Megan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin). There is no shortage of quality athletes on show however, and both races look as though they will come down to the wire.
Keelan Kilrehill (Moy Valley AC) looks an intriguing entry in the men’s race, with the 2021 European Cross Country gold medallist (U23 team) sure to be one of the leading favourites if taking his place on the start line on Chesterfield Avenue (9am).
Kilrehill won’t have it all his own way however with Jamie Fallon (Craughwell AC) and Jake O’Regan (St John’s AC) now seasoned performers on the road circuit.
Donore claimed the senor men’s team title in 2023 and look to have a strong hand once more as they bid to defend their title. With many athletes now ramping up their marathon preparations, a shakeup in the team podium placings could very well be on the cards across all age categories.
The women’s race should be just as compelling with the return of the leading two athletes from last month’s national 5 mile returning for the step up in distance. Ciara Wilson (DMP AC) was hugely impressive in taking her maiden road title last month and won’t be found wanting for a turn of foot over the last mile, while Heather Murphy (St Michael’s) is another rising star of the road racing scene and is sure to be buoyed by her 5 mile silver medal last month.
DSD have a habit of picking up wins on the road and much of Sunday’s race could be dictated by the presence of Grace Lynch (Dundrum South Dublin). Lynch finished 5th in the national 10k hosted by Dunboyne AC earlier this year, with the DSD athlete staying on strongly at the finish on the back of a winter of marathon training. A similar performance will likely result in the Kerry athlete being right in contention at the finish once again.
DSD are also the defending champions in the senior women’s race, with Dunboyne and Sli Cualann likely to join them in the hunt for team honours.
Raheny Shamrock AC are once again well represented across both the men’s and women’s races with over 50 members set to wear the green and white around the roads of the Phoenix Park on Sunday morning.
- Race start time 9.00am on Chesterfield Avenue
- List of entries HERE (Published after 12 noon on Friday)
- Provisional results will be available on My Run Results HERE
- Competitor booklet & route map HERE
- National Road Medals Notice: In advance of the National 10 Mile Championship please note that all medals will be presented on the day (10am). If you do not collect your individual medal on the day of the Road Race the medal can be collected from the Athletics Ireland office.