NATIONAL HALF MARATHON TITLES ON THE LINE IN CORK

Close

Competition

NATIONAL HALF MARATHON TITLES ON THE LINE IN CORK

26 May 2026

The National Half Marathon Championships will take place this Sunday, May 31st, as part of the sold-out Analog Devices Cork City Marathon events programme.

The National Half Marathon gets underway at 10:15am on Monahan Road, a route that follows a single-looped course that finishes on Grand Parade in the heart of Cork City. The route merges with the full marathon course after two miles, taking athletes through Blackrock and along the Marina before heading inland through the southern suburbs past The Lough and University College Cork. From there, competitors tackle Model Farm Road before returning via Mardyke Walk, Western Road and Washington Street for what promises to be a memorable city-centre finish.

With close to 900 championship entries, this year’s event is shaping up to be one of the most competitive National Half Marathon Championships in recent memory. Last year’s senior team titles went to Clane AC (men) and Liffey Valley AC (women) in Tullamore, but predicting this year’s champions is far from straightforward given the depth and quality across both fields.

Cork clubs are expected to feature prominently on home roads, with St Finbarrs AC particularly well represented in both the men’s and women’s competitions.

The battle for individual honours also promises plenty of intrigue, with several established names and emerging talents expected to contend for national medals.

The men’s race should be a compelling affair right from the gun. Defending national half marathon champion Jake O’Regan of St John’s AC has been in sparkling form already this season, already ticking off a win at this year’s Great Limerick Run. O’Regan also boasts course form having won this race last year (and in 2022) and arrives in Cork on the back of an impressive fourth-place finish at the recent National 5K in the Phoenix Park.

The Cork challenge could well be spearheaded by Ryan Creech of Leevale AC who won this race in 2023. Creech would go on to claim the national half marathon gold later that year in Tullamore, before adding the national 10-mile title last season. He’ll be another who is sure to be staying on strong at the finish.

David Mansfield of Clonmel AC has strong course credentials following his runner-up finish in Cork last year and should again be among the leading contenders.

The Donore Harriers duo of John Travers and Kane Collins also bring proven quality to the field. Travers recently clocked an impressive 13:45 over 5K in Johnstownbridge, finishing ahead of both Colm Rooney and Sean Tobin in a high-quality contest.

Meanwhile, Killian Mooney of DSD AC continues to show remarkable consistency and arrives following a podium finish at the recent National 5K Championships.

The women’s race appears equally difficult to call. Cork interests could again be spearheaded by Leevale with Hannah Steeds one who is expected to feature prominently on familiar roads following her win in the 10k this time last year.

Pamela Kirk of Roadrunners AC, third in this event last year, should once again be firmly in the medal hunt, while Ciara Wilson of DMP AC has demonstrated an impressive aptitude for longer distances in recent seasons and is another athlete capable of making a major impact.

Dee Grady of Ennis Track also comes into the weekend in strong form following victory at the recent Limerick Marathon and will relish the closing stages.

With national titles, team honours and championship medals all on the line, Sunday’s National Half Marathon Championships promise a thrilling morning of racing on the streets of Cork.