Dublin runners dominate sold-out Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon

It was a great day for Dublin runners at the Irish Life Dublin Marathon yesterday as James Hyland (Raheny Shamrock A.C) and Meghan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) claimed victory under perfect running conditions in Phoenix Park.

The event brought together thousands of runners including elite athletes, first-timers, club runners and more, marking an exciting close to the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Series under one of Dublin’s most iconic backdrops.

Hyland finished in 68:52 in what was his first podium finish and a result that earned him the Dublin Half Marathon Road Championship Title.

The 24-year-old was delighted with the convincing victory, especially as he prepares for a marathon debut at the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in October.

“There were four of us together until the last mile and then I kicked on a bit and closed hard. My background is 5000m and steeplechase on the track so I’m pretty new to the roads and this is really my first year on the road properly,” said Hyland.

“It was great to be part of this and to win it. I figured I’d use it to get used to some of the course for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon,” he added.

The theme of Dublin runners transitioning to the roads continued through the men’s podium, as members of the Irish Mountain Running Team finished in second and third.

Eddie O’Connor (Brothers Pearse A.C) was the runner-up in 69:08, while Matthew McConnell (Unattached) followed in 69:32.

38-year-old O’Connor reflected on an enjoyable transition to the roads saying “I’m transitioning to the road this year. I started off running 800m, then went to 5km and the 10 Miles so these are all personal best times for me.

“The buzz around the course was amazing and something I haven’t really experienced before because mountain racing is quite isolated. It gives you such a lift when you hear people cheering.”

Third placed McConnell, a 27-year-old from Ballinteer, spoke about a similar transition to the road, and was delighted with a personal best in his second road-based Half Marathon, marking some key preparation for the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in October.

“My coach was advising me to be a bit more conservative than what I did but I just felt good in the first five miles and tried to hang on. Today was my second half marathon on the road but a PB and I’m delighted to get that on home soil, especially on the same roads we’ll be doing in the marathon in a month’s time, said McConnell.”

Dublin runners also shone in the women’s race as favourite Meghan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin) won in 76:46.

Women’s top 3 finishers, from left, second place Ruby Wall from Dublin, winner Meghan Ryan from Dublin, and third place Sarah Diamond from Wicklow. 

With the impressive time, Ryan claimed the Women’s Dublin Half Marathon Road Championship, and crossed the line a minute clear of second place.

Ryan, a Rathfarnham native who was the fourth Irish woman in last year’s Irish Life Dublin Marathon, was especially thrilled with her performance after a tough year.

“I’m delighted to win. The atmosphere was incredible and the Dublin Marathon crew always put on a great race. “I feel I’ve had a tough year and coming back to win something like this is brilliant. It’s so nice to be back running well, especially so close to the Marathon,” she added.

Her clubmate Ruby Wall (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) finished second in 77:51, before Wicklow Sarah Diamond (Kilcoole A.C) rounded off the women’s podium in 79:41.

Wall is relatively new to competitive running and was delighted to run a personal best as she prepares for the Marathon later in the year.

“I got myself a PB today by 30 seconds so I’m really delighted. I only joined DSD in March or Aprill this year and it’s great to have a bit of camaraderie around races. That was my first of the Race Series this year and it was amazing. The support around the course was incredible and I’m buzzing now to run the Marathon in five weeks’ time,” said Wall.

Every runner arrived today with a different reason, but they left with a shared sense of achievement, and a Phoenix Park-inspired 2026 finisher medal to remind them of where they made it happen. The focus now shifts to the Irish Life Dublin Marathon on Sunday 25th October.