SEPTEMBER 20, 2026
A Race to Remember in Sunny Phoenix Park
Thousands of runners including elite athletes, first-timers, club runners and more came together in Phoenix Park today for the sold-out Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon.
The iconic backdrop of Phoenix Park matched with a memorable race day atmosphere and perfect running conditions made this an exciting finish to the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Series.
Dublin’s James Hyland and Meghan Ryan Storm to Victory to Claim County Title in Men’s Race
James Hyland (Raheny Shamrock A.C) set the tone in a strong day of racing for Dublin athletes, clocking a time of 68:52. The victory meant Hyland also claimed the Dublin Half Marathon Road Championship Title, which was hosted as part of the race.
Topping his first Irish Life Dublin Race Series podium, Hyland showed an impressive turn of pace over the final mile to win the race by a margin of 16 seconds. The 24-year-old is now preparing 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,” he said. “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.
“I’m doing my first marathon in Dublin this October. 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 Marathon,” added Hyland.
Two well-known Irish elite international mountain runners, Eddie O’Connor (Brothers Pearse AC) and Matthew McConnell, got closest to Hyland, finishing with personal bests of 69:08 and 69:32 respectively.
“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,” said runner-up O’Connor.
In the women’s race, it was the favourite Meghan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin A.C) who delivered on expectation, winning in 76:46. The Rathfarnham woman won convincingly and also claimed the Women’s Dublin Half Marathon Road Championship, crossing the line over a minute clear of clubmate Ruby Wall (Dundrum South Dublin A.C), who clocked 77:51.
“I’m delighted to win. The atmosphere was incredible and the Dublin Marathon crew always put on a great race,” said Ryan.
“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.
Wicklow runner Sarah Diamond of Kilcoole AC finished third in 79:41 in what was her third podium finish in this year’s Irish Life Dublin Race Series. Diamond finished second in both the Irish Life Fingal 10km in July and the Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile in August.
Closing the Irish Life Dublin Race Series in Style
The support of the race’s official added even more to the race day experience. Title sponsor Irish Life greeted finishing runners on Furze Road with outdoor games, sports massages and recovery sessions courtesy of Irish Life Health. Just as have all throughout the Series, Irish life recognised runners finishing in 250th, 500th, 1000th and 2026th with milestone finisher prizes, with each runner receiving a €50 voucher.
Official Retail Partner Sports Direct played a huge role in supporting runners across the line, providing a vital boost for the field with their cheer zone and hype crew, and providing the official pacers ranging from finish times of 1:30 minutes to 2:50 minutes.
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.
RESULTS
Men
- James Hyland (Raheny Shamrock A.C): 68:52
- Eddie O’Connor (Brothers Pearse A.C) 69:08
- Matthew Mc Connell: 69:32
Women
- Sarah Diamond (Kilcoole A.C): 79:41
- Meghan Ryan (Dundrum South Dublin A.C): 76:46
- Ruby Wall (Dundrum South Dublin A.C): 77:51
