Mayo athlete returns from injury with podium finish

Mayo athlete Hugh Armstrong has made a strong return to form at the Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile in Phoenix Park last Saturday.

The Knockmore native, running for Ballina AC, finished runner-up in a sold-out race that brought thousands of runners to the capital for the second leg of the Irish Life Dublin Race Series.

Armstrong, who is rebuilding fitness after injury, clocked an impressive 49:45 to take second behind Dubliner Pierre Murchan (Dublin City Harriers), who won on his debut over the distance in 49:02. Armstrong held pace with the leader for much of the race before being edged out after the halfway point. Donegal’s Stephen McAuley (Letterkenny AC) completed the men’s podium in 50:55.

Speaking afterwards, Armstrong said: “I’m getting there. I’m not as fit as I was this time last year because I had an injury, but it’s coming. I don’t know yet what I’ll do next. I was thinking about Berlin, but it’s probably too soon, so I’ll run either the Dublin Half or Valencia Half, which is the same day as Dublin.

"I think I’ll probably just do a half-marathon this autumn to get everything back on track and see how it goes.”

The result marks a positive step forward for the Knockmore man, who won this event in 2024 and continues to build towards a busy autumn racing season.

Last year, Armstrong created athletics history by completing a unique four-in-a-row. He won all four races in the Irish Life Dublin Race Series in one year.

Armstrong is one of a dozen elite athletes who benefit from funding from the Jerry Kiernan Foundation.

The Jerry Kiernan Foundation has supported more than 35 athletes, with former recipients including Olympians, World Championship finalists, and European Championship medalists.