QUALITY FIELDS GO IN SEARCH OF 10 MILE TITLES

The National 10 Mile titles are down for decision this weekend, with a bumper entry heading for the Phoenix Park on Sunday for the sold-out Irish Runner 10 Mile (July 23rd).

Almost 2,500 athletes will take on the 10-mile route around the iconic park surroundings, with many looking to support their club’s pursuit of national honours.

There will be new champions crowned in the senior races in the absence of last year’s winners Mick Clohisey (Raheny Shamrock AC) and Ciara Toner (City of Derry Spartans). There is no shortage of quality athletes on show however, and both races look as though they will come down to the wire.

Emmet Jennings (DSD AC) got the better of Jake O’Regan (St Johns AC) in thrilling national 5 mile race last month and expect the pair to be right up there once again on Sunday. Clonmel’s Evan Fitzgerald always gives his running, while a resurgent John Travers (Donore Harriers) is a standout entry and won’t be found wanting for a change of gear if coming into the final kilometre in contention.

The race for the team titles looks wide open. Dublin dominated last year’s standings with Clonliffe ultimately comings out on top in a good tussle with Raheny. Expect another good showing from Donore Harries who were third in the senior race last year, while also managing to take home the M35+ team title.

The women’s race should be just as compelling with the return of last year’s second and third place finishers. Donore teammates Niamh Clifford and Sorcha Loughnane will look to jump to the top of the podium on their return following last year’s impressive showing. They are likely to face the greatest challenge from the in form Meghan Ryan (DSD AC) who claimed last month’s 5 mile crown. Ryan has been a key member of the DSD team who have dominated much of the road racing this summer season.

Clifford and Loughnane helped Donore to the team title last year and look the leading favourites once more, but don’t rule out a strong challenge from Raheny and DSD over the course of Sunday’s race.

Sli Cualann (F35+) and Mullingar Harriers (F50+) put in a big performance to claim their respective titles last year and another bold showing could just be on the cards.

• Complete entry list including National entrants HERE
• National entries only HERE
• Provisional results will be available on My Run Results HERE
• Competitor Booklet HERE
• National Road Relay Medals Notice: In advance of the National 10 Mile Championship please note that all individual medals will be presented on the day. Due to increasing postage costs and medals getting lost we are no longer posting medals. If you do not collect your individual medal on the day of the Road Race the medal can be collected from the Athletics Ireland office.Team medals will be given out at the next National Road race.