Dublin runners Paul O’Donnell (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) and John Travers (Donore Harriers A.C) placed on the podium in an ultra-competitive elite field at the 2026 Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon.
O’Donnell claimed second place in 63:43 while Travers (Donore Harriers A.C) placed third in 63:54.
Ahead of them was Sean Tobin (Clonmel A.C) claimed victory in 63:11, a course record by two minutes and 29 seconds.
Having earned a personal best, O’Donnell (27) reflected on the race and the great crowd support that came with it.
“We let Sean (Sean Tobin) get the gap on us over the initial 5km when it was uphill, thinking we could chase him down, but he was just too strong in the second half of the course.
“I started to close on him through Raheny and St Anne’s Park but then the coast road felt like it went on forever,” said O’Donnell
That’s an official PB for me. The course and the crowds were amazing. It was loud the whole way around, he added.”
Travers (35), pointed out that he was pleasantly surprised by his performance and discussed the strong talent on display.
“I’m strong at the moment but I didn’t expect to run that quick today. If I’d run 65 minutes or 65:30 I’d have been happy.
“This event was on in late March last year and it clashed with something but I really wanted to do it this year.
“If it keeps going the way it’s going it’s going to be a major half marathon.
“Ten of us finished under 70 minutes that’s good going,” said Travers.
Furthering a successful day for Dublin runners was Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill (West Limerick A.C)’s win in the women’s race in 71:25.
Nic Dhomnaill (41), who impressively broke the course record by over six and a half minutes, is coached by Dublin Track Club’s Feidhlim Kelly alongside O’Donnell and Travers.
“My plan was to break 72 minutes so I’m delighted with that. I’ve actually been off work for the past year because I had a baby last April.
“I’m going to back to school on Tuesday after a year off so, thankfully, it’s a bank holiday weekend and I can recover tomorrow,” said Nic Dhomhnaill.
The women’s runner-up, Maebh Brannigan (Galway City Harriers), made her first major podium in a personal best time of 74:47 and third-placed Sheila O’Byrne (Parnell A.C), from Wicklow, who trains alongside Nic Dhomhnaill at Dublin Track Club, knocked over three minutes off her personal best by finishing in 76:43.
In the men’s wheelchair Patrick Monahan was a clear winner in 51:38 from Tian Bosch 62:13.
In only its second year, the Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon, which starts in O’Connell Street and takes in all of the Northside’s biggest landmarks, proved why it is such a huge addition to the road racing scene by attracting a sell-out of 13,200 runners.
Results Elite Men
- Sean Tobin Clonmel A.C. 63:11
- Paul O’Donnell Dundrum South Dublin A.C. 63:43
- John Travers Donore Harriers A.C. 63:54
Results Elite Women
- Sorcha Nic Dhomhnaill West Limerick A.C. 71:25
- Meabh Brannigan Galway City Harriers A.C. 74:47
- Sheila O Byrne Parnell A.C. 76:43
Wheelchair
- Patrick Monahan 51:38
- Tian Bosch 62:13