Weekend preview

Autumn running moves into top gear this weekend with a number of cross-country, road, and long-distance endurance races taking place all over the country.

In a busy weekend for Dublin runners, the Dublin Half Marathon takes place in Phoenix Park on Saturday and the Rathfarnham 5km on Sunday. The half marathon is the fourth and final round of the Dublin Marathon Race Series which acts as a build-up for the Dublin Marathon itself at the end of October.

Peter Somba of Dunboyne AC dominated last year’s series and has finished in the top three in all three races so far this year. He won the Corkagh Park 5-Mile, finished third in the Fingal 10-km in Swords, and was second in the Frank Duffy 10-Mile, held in the Phoenix Park. Emmet Jennings of Dundrum South Dublin AC won the Fingal 10km and Mick Clohisey of Raheny Shamrock the Frank Duffy 10km.

Of the women, Caitlyn Harvey of Belfast-based Roadrunners AC, won both the Corkagh Park 5-mile and the Frank Duffy ’10’. Ciara Hickey of Brothers Pearse AC was first women in the Fingal 10km.

Quite who will win the Rathfarnham 5km on Sunday is anyone’s guess. Last year, a thrilling finish saw Eoin Everard winning in a sprint from his Kilkenny City Harriers teammate Gerry Forde. First woman was Mary Mulhare of Portlaoise AC; Mulhare also won in 2019, when Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers was first home. The race incorporates the Dublin 5km Championships.

Also taking place on Sunday is the Berlin Marathon with world marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge leading the entry and a large Irish contingent signed up.

Head over to this post to see a detailed list of upcoming events!