The inaugural Dublin City Half Marathon, organized by the team behind the Irish Life Dublin Marathon and Race Series in collaboration with Dublin City Council, took place under clear blue skies, showcasing some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. With a sold-out capacity reached in just two hours earlier this year, the 21km race began on O’Connell Street, guiding runners through the northside and concluding at Guild Street in the heart of the city.
Participants enjoyed scenic views of landmark locations such as Croke Park, Killester’s tree-lined avenues, the picturesque Clontarf coastline, and the historic Five Lamps. The atmosphere was electric, with thousands of participants including elite athletes, club runners, charity entrants, and many first-time half marathoners banding together to celebrate their passion for running.
Among the impressive athletes, Bohermeen AC’s Nichola Sheridan claimed victory in the women’s race with a remarkable time of 1:18:00. Following closely behind were Noreen Brouder of Sportsworld AC who finished in 1:21:42, and Edel Gaffney from Trim AC, who recorded a time of 1:23:31, highlighting the competitive spirit within the women’s field.
Sheridan, a primary school teacher from County Meath, celebrated “the biggest win” of her career despite attending her sister’s hen party just the night before. Her journey into running was influenced by the loss of her father, after which she took up the sport seriously, culminating in her triumph at this prestigious event. She credited her coach, David Carrie, for playing a pivotal role in her development, helping to reduce her race time significantly.
On the men’s side, Killian Mooney of Dundrum South Dublin AC emerged victorious, finishing the race in a stellar 1:06:27. He was followed by Kevin Kelly from St Coca’s AC, who completed the course in 1:07:02, and Michael Fox of Armagh AC, who finished in 1:07:24, demonstrating the high level of talent present at this event. Mooney, who traditionally focused on 10km races, expressed his newfound enthusiasm for the half marathon distance.
Additionally, the event featured noteworthy performances from wheelchair athletes. The top wheelchair competitor, Irish Paralympian Patrick Monahan, finished in 50:59, followed by British Paralympian Jade Hall, who took the women’s title in 57:07. These impressive results highlight the inclusivity of the Dublin City Half Marathon, encouraging participation from all levels of athletes.
The event distributed a total prize pool of €13,500 among the top five finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories, also extending awards to wheelchair and visually impaired athletes, reflecting the commitment to fostering a diverse sporting community. The success of the Dublin City Half Marathon sets a promising precedent for future events in the city, elevating it as a key date in the annual running calendar.
