Irish Athletes Triumph at Charleville Half Marathon: Armstrong and Heaslip Crowned National Champions

Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) and Shona Heaslip (An Riocht AC) dominated the 2024 National Half Marathon Championships at the sold-out Charleville Half Marathon on September 15th, securing their place as the nation's top half marathon runners.

The race saw a fierce competition, with Armstrong showcasing his strength in a closely fought battle for the men's title. He crossed the finish line in a time of 1:04.35, narrowly edging out defending champion Ryan Creech (Leevale) who finished second with a time of 1:04.54. Eoghan Totten (Newcastle & District AC) completed the podium in third place with a time of 1:05:56.

Armstrong's Podium Finish and Praise for the Event

Armstrong's victory was a testament to his determination and resilience. After a strong start, he upped his pace in the latter half of the race, showcasing his experience and strategy. Speaking after the race, Armstrong expressed his delight, highlighting the competitive spirit and the quality of the event: "We slowed to 30.40 at the 10km mark and I said I better pick it up a bit and we picked up nicely on the way back. It was a great battle with Ryan (Creech) the whole way back, so I’m delighted. The course was very good and the organisation by all involved was great so thanks to everyone".

Heaslip's Dominant Victory and Future Goals

Heaslip's victory was equally impressive, adding the half marathon title to her impressive collection of road titles, including the 10k road title earlier this year. She crossed the finish line with a time of 1:10:57, securing a comfortable lead over second-placed Grace Lynch (Dundrum South Dublin A.C.) who finished with a time of 1:15:38. Ciara Wilson (D.M.P. AC) claimed third place with a time of 1:17:18.

Heaslip's victory was a testament to her training and dedication, as she revealed her strategy for the race: "We went off fast like I thought it would, but it settled in the middle and then the race probably started in the last few miles where I burned a little. I’ll learn from it and take it with me as I build up to future marathons. I’m going on holiday later today and I’ll reassess when I’m back. I’ve a couple of big goals for next year in February and April, so up until then it’ll just be a building block with training camps and a few shorter races to sharpen".

Heaslip's Reflection on the Race and her Future

Heaslip continued, emphasizing her appreciation for the event and its organizers: "The course was fast but probably a pity about the rain and a small bit of wind coming into the final few miles, but thanks to everyone in North Cork for putting on a great race. It’s great to add a national title to my 10,000m on the track and 10k on the road, so to do the treble is quite nice".

Looking Ahead to the Future of Irish Athletics

The success of Armstrong and Heaslip at the Charleville Half Marathon is a testament to the strength and depth of Irish Athletics. With their sights set on future marathons and other competitions, they are poised to continue their journey towards success in the international stage. As these talented athletes continue to hone their skills and achieve new milestones, the future of Irish Athletics looks bright.

A Toast to the Champions and the Organizers

Congratulations to Hugh Armstrong and Shona Heaslip for their remarkable victories at the Charleville Half Marathon. Their dedication, resilience, and sheer talent have made them worthy champions. A special thanks to Athletics Ireland and the organizers of the Charleville Half Marathon for hosting a memorable and successful event. Their efforts have provided a platform for these talented athletes to shine and inspire the next generation of Irish runners.