Former Knockmore footballer Hugh Armstrong wins Irish men's marathon title

Armstrong, 32, won the national half marathon two years ago and was determined to claim the big one after Mayo’s first All-Ireland success in 75 years.

Hugh Armstrong of Ballina A.C celebrates finishing in eighth place at the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Marathon. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady.

Sun, 25 Oct, 2026 - 15:05

Michael Scully

HUGH Armstrong turned inspiration from Mayo’s All-Ireland football triumph into national glory, winning the Irish men’s marathon title three months after watching his county lift the Sam Maguire.

The former Knockmore footballer, 32, won the national half marathon two years ago and was determined to claim the big one after Mayo’s first All-Ireland success in 75 years.

“I had been to plenty of finals when we lost,” he said. “So that was a special day, and I ended up at the homecoming in Knockmore. I was inspired, yeah, it was mighty.”

Armstrong’s connections with the Mayo panel include injured vice-captain Darren McHale, whom he played alongside at primary school and for Knockmore.

He attended secondary school in Crossmolina with Conor Loftus, who came off the bench in the All-Ireland final, and James Carr.

“I wasn't on the pitch. There were fellas I went to school with or played underage with who were out there playing, and that was the day I decided I'm going to go to Dublin and win it, I'll have my national title as well and I'll have my own cup to bring back," revealed Armstrong.

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“I remember watching an interview with Jerry Kiernan after he won it. It was the year Kerry lost the All-Ireland to Offaly when they were going for the five-in-a row.

“He was saying in the interview, 'this was good compensation for Kerry losing today' but for me today, we can have both titles for Mayo.”

Living in Portarlington, the An Post accountant has enjoyed an unforgettable year, becoming a father for the first time last November.

Hiko Tonosa’s late withdrawal through injury opened the door for other national hopefuls, and in very windy conditions, Armstrong and Killian Mooney held a 10-second halfway lead over Stephen McAuley and Jake O’Regan.

Having beaten Mooney at the Great North Run six weeks earlier, Armstrong made his decisive move around mile 21, becoming the second Providence scholarship runner in succession to win the national title after David McGlynn in 2025.

Armstrong finished eighth overall in 2:14:51, almost a minute ahead of ninth-placed Mooney. Letterkenny AC’s McAuley, who is self-coached, was the third Irishman home.

The overall men’s race produced late drama when Kenya’s Enock Kipkemboi, apparently on course for victory, fell after feeling unwell with three kilometres to go.

Ethiopia’s Abay Alemu Lesa and Sweden’s Ebba Chala had been closing in and the former powered home to win in 2:10:29 ahead of Chala, while Kipkemboi recovered to finish fourth.

“It was a very hard race, it was very windy throughout, but I pushed to the last and I was happy with my performance, and very happy to win.” Judith Storm claimed the women’s national title after outlasting Sorcha Nic Dhómhnaill, just four years after taking up running following the birth of her triplets.

West Limerick AC’s Nic Dhómhnaill, 41, looked destined for victory, but City of Derry Spartans’ Storm regained the lead to win in 2:35:46, 12 seconds clear. DSD’s Meghan Ryan was third.

“I’m in total disbelief,” said 39-year-old Storm, Scottish-born and living in Northern Ireland for 15 years.

“At mile 23 or 24 I just kind of started thinking, ‘this is my time, if I’m moving I need to move now’ but the wind in parts even at the end there was brutal so I just closed the gap somehow.” A medical doctor with her own online skincare business, Storm only began exercising during Covid after buying a bicycle.

“It just shows you if something is important to you, you will make it happen. I had four children obviously within the space of a year, so you do give everything to everyone else and running has given me a bit of myself back,” she said.

“Running obviously comes still secondary to the kids but I make it work and it is something I give back to me. So any mums out there, if I can do it, you can too. I'm not talented in any way, I am just determined and stubborn.”

Storm finished tenth overall. Ethiopia’s Zenebu Jebesa won the women’s race in 2:24.26, ahead of compatriot Tenebeb Aynalem and Sechele Adunga.

“This is my first time in Ireland and I just want to thank everyone for the support,” said Jebesa.

“I’m so happy and I want to come back next year to defend the title, that’s my plan now, and do so with a course record.” Patrick Monaghan claimed his ninth Dublin Marathon wheelchair title and will also compete in next weekend’s New York Marathon.

Of more than 22,500 entries, 19,190 runners started, a record five per cent increase on last year following the introduction of a late transfer system.

Men - Overall

Abay Alemu Lesa (Ethiopia) – 2:10:28

Ebba Chala (Sweden) – 2:10:36

Sahlesilassie Nigussie (Ethiopia) – 2:11:25

Women - Overall

Zenebu Fikdau Jebesa (Ethiopia) – 2:24:26

Tenebeb Nega Aynalem (Ethiopia) – 2:25:50

Sechele Dalasa Adunga (Ethiopia) – 2:27:22

Irish National Marathon Championships - Men

Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) – 2:14:51

Killian Mooney (Dundrum South Dublin AC) – 2:15:44

Stephen McAuley (Letterkenny AC) – 2:16:37