Sports stars honour for Hugh
It was a case of a promise fulfilled when Hugh Armstrong claimed the Irish national marathon title at the Irish Life Dublin Marathon in October.
Armstrong revealed that his inspiration stemmed from Mayo’s long-awaited All-Ireland football triumph in Croke Park last July. Amid the celebrations that followed, the Ballina native set himself a personal challenge.
“I was at the match when Mayo won and I thought to myself that day, I’ll try go out now and win my cup as well,” he said.
Three months later, the 32-year-old delivered on that ambition with a composed and perfectly judged performance in testing conditions. While strong winds hampered many runners’ hopes of fast times, Armstrong stayed focused throughout to cross the line in 2:14:51, securing the national crown as the first Irish man home and finishing eighth overall.
The achievement marks another significant milestone in Armstrong’s running career. Having made his marathon debut in Dublin seven years ago, when he finished as the third-best Irish runner, he has continued to progress and claimed the national half-marathon title two years ago.
Indeed Hugh used this year’s Bohermeen half-marathon in Co Meath, which he won in 64.23, as preparation for the Dusseldorf Marathon in April where he finished a very impressive fifth overall in 2:13:55.
Hugh Armstrong is now living in Portarlington where he balances elite competition with his role as an accountant with An Post and family life with his wife Shiru and their young son, Conor.
In the wake of his Dublin triumph, Hugh paid tribute to his coach, Feidhlim Kelly, for guiding him to success.
“This is probably the pinnacle for me,” he said. “The marathon title is one of the toughest national titles to win and one of the most high-profile. I’m just delighted to come away with the Irish title.”
