Thousands take to Mayo coastline for Westport Marathon
Joanne McGrath from Enniskillen was one of the thousands competing in the Westport full and half marathons and 10k races that took place on Saturday.
Westport was alive with energy and excitement on Saturday as thousands of runners descended on the town for this year’s Westport Marathon, creating a fantastic atmosphere from the early morning start right through to the finish line.
Set against the spectacular backdrop of Croagh Patrick and the Wild Atlantic Way, the event once again brought together club runners, first-time participants, elite athletes and supporters for a memorable day of sport, community and celebration.
Now firmly established as one of the standout running events in the country, Westport Marathon continues to grow in popularity year on year. Participants travelled from across Ireland and overseas to take part in the event’s three race distances – the full marathon, half marathon and 10km – all enjoying one of the most scenic and rewarding courses in Ireland.
Winner of the full for the second year in a row was Sean Hehir from Gorey in Wexford who finished in a time of 2:34:29. The first female over the line was Newport native Patricia McLoughlin in at a record breaking time of 3:07:42.
Taking the number one spot in the men’s half marathon in a time of 1:12:06 was Dublin man Adam Dyer. Westport native Hilary Hughes took first place in the women’s half in a time of 1:28:55.
The 10k competitors didn’t waste any time either with Sligo man Alan Dunne racing across the finish line in a record time of 33:01 while the first lady home was Niamh McEntegart from Westmeath in 39:05.
This year’s event was another major success for Westport, not only showcasing the town and surrounding landscape at its very best, but also reinforcing the marathon’s reputation as a must-do event on the running calendar. The continued growth in international participation highlights the increasing appeal of Westport Marathon on a global stage, with runners travelling from a wide range of countries to be part of the occasion.
“We are absolutely delighted with the success of this year’s Westport Marathon. The atmosphere throughout the town and along the route was incredible, and it was fantastic to see so many runners and supporters enjoying everything Westport has to offer,” said Race Director Paul O’Brien afterwards.
“We are very grateful to our participants, volunteers, sponsors, local residents and emergency services for helping to make the event such a success,” he added.
The organisers also paid tribute to the volunteers, sponsors, local agencies and community groups whose support helped deliver another outstanding event.
A key part of this year’s event was its partnership with The Gena Heraty Haiti Fund, a charity dedicated to improving the lives of vulnerable communities in Haiti through vital support, development projects, and ongoing humanitarian efforts.
Originally from Westport, Gena Heraty has devoted many years to supporting communities in Haiti, where she lives and works closely with those most in need. With a strong focus on education, healthcare, and community development, the fund supports initiatives that bring real and lasting change.
Full race results are available at www.westportmarathon.ie.
