Some of Ireland’s leading distance runners will take to the streets of Dublin this Sunday (October 25th), with national marathon titles up for grabs at the 45th Irish Life Dublin Marathon.
The race will incorporate the Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championships, with strong domestic fields assembled in both the men’s and women’s competitions as athletes battle for individual and team honours on one of the biggest days in the Irish athletics calendar.
Tonosa Headlines Competitive Men’s National Championship Field
Hiko Tonosa (Dundrum South Dublin AC) returns to the course where he produced one of the standout performances in Irish marathon history in 2024, clocking 2:09:42 to finish third overall, claim the national title and set a then Irish marathon record.
Although the national record has since been lowered, Tonosa’s performance remains the fastest marathon ever run by an Irish athlete on the Dublin course. Having finished as the leading Irish athlete at this year’s Antrim Coast Half Marathon in 62:07, he will be among the leading contenders for national honours once again.
Tonosa’s Dundrum South Dublin clubmate Killian Mooney will also be hoping to feature prominently. Mooney clocked a marathon personal best of 2:17:46 in Barcelona in March and arrives in Dublin having finished fourth at this year’s National Half Marathon Championships. He also won the inaugural Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon in 2025.
Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) is another strong contender following an impressive season which included a 2:13:55 marathon in Düsseldorf in April and a 63:37 performance at the Great North Run, where he finished 13th overall.
A former national marathon bronze medallist in Dublin, Armstrong will be looking to add to his championship medal collection.
William Maunsell (Clonmel AC) will also have his sights set on the podium, having claimed national bronze in 2024 with a personal best of 2:14:23. He will be joined on the start line by his coach and fellow Clonmel athlete Sean Tobin, who won this year’s Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon in a course record of 63:11. Tobin will be targeting his first national marathon podium finish.
Stephen McAuley (Letterkenny AC) has emerged as one of Ireland’s most consistent marathon performers in recent seasons. Having only taken up running in late 2021, McAuley has progressed from a debut marathon of 3:19 to a personal best of 2:15:26 in Valencia in 2025.
Fourth in last year’s National Marathon Championships, McAuley has since added victories at the Cork City Marathon and National 10 Mile Championships to his growing list of achievements.
Jake O’Regan (St John’s AC) is another athlete capable of challenging at the front of the national field. O’Regan arrives following a strong season which included a marathon personal best of 2:17:30 in Seville and a course-record victory at the Limerick Marathon.
David Mansfield, John Travers and Jamie Fallon further strengthen what promises to be a highly competitive men’s championship.
David McCarthy (West Waterford AC) will also be an interesting entrant, having paced the elite women’s field towards the course record in 2024. Now working as a full-time coach, McCarthy returns to race the distance himself, with more than 40 athletes under his guidance also taking part.
Nic Dhomhnaill Among Leading Contenders
The women’s National Marathon Championship looks equally intriguing, with Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (West Limerick AC) among those expected to challenge for honours on her Dublin Marathon debut.
Nic Dhomhnaill has enjoyed an outstanding season on the roads, winning the Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon in May in a course record of 71:25, having opened her year with a 10km personal best of 32:20 in Valencia.
Further victories in Dunshaughlin and Dunboyne, along with a runner-up finish at the Women’s Mini Marathon, underline her impressive form heading into Sunday’s race. With a marathon personal best of 2:38:19, she will be hoping to translate that shorter-distance speed into a strong championship performance.
Meghan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin AC) is another athlete with podium ambitions. A former national five-mile and ten-mile champion, Ryan finished fourth among the Irish women on her Dublin Marathon debut last year and returns following victory at the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon in September.
Judith Storm (City of Derry Spartans) will also be one to watch following a remarkable progression over the distance.
Storm clocked 2:47:07 on her Dublin debut in 2025 before improving to 2:39:09 in Belfast earlier this year. She followed that performance with victory at the Belfast Half Marathon in September, recording 1:14:14.
Nichola Sheridan (Bohermeen AC) is a notable withdrawal from the women’s championship field. Sheridan has not recovered sufficiently to race following her outstanding third-place finish at the Melbourne Marathon just two weeks ago, where she recorded a personal best of 2:29:13.
National Team Titles Also Up for Grabs
There will also be plenty at stake in the National Marathon Team Championships, with defending senior champions Road Runners AC (women) and Waterford AC (men) looking to retain their respective titles.
Both clubs can expect stiff competition, with Letterkenny AC and Donore Harriers AC among the leading challengers in the men’s competition, while North Belfast Harriers and Dundrum South Dublin AC will be hoping to challenge for the women’s team crown.
With marathon honours also on the line across masters age categories, Sunday’s championships promise another exciting contest right through the field.
The wheelchair race will feature multiple Dublin Marathon winner and Irish wheelchair marathon record holder Patrick Monahan, alongside experienced Irish competitor Gerry Forde.
The first marathon wave gets underway at 8:45am on Sunday, October 25th, with live television coverage beginning on TG4 at 8:00am. International viewers can follow the action through TG4 Player.
- Event: 45th Irish Life Dublin Marathon / Athletics Ireland National Marathon Championships
- Date: Sunday, 25th October 2026
- First wave start: 8:45am
- Live coverage: TG4 from 8:00am and TG4 Player internationally
- Official event website:https://irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/
- National Championships team declarations:https://national-marathon.webflow.io/
