Armagh Athletic Club

25/09/2026

20/09/2026

Congratulations to Armagh A.C. at today's Phoenix Energy Belfast City Half Marathon! 😃👏🏻🥳🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

The September sun appeared along with the Belfast crowds, who came out in force to cheer everyone on from start to finish! The hard work definitely paid off for Armagh Athletic Club with fabulous results from all our men and women representing their club! 🎉

Stefan Kennedy 1:13:24
Julianne Keys 1:27:09
Ciaran McKenna 1:29:35
Jacqueline Wright 1:31:00
Steve Runalls 1:37:26
Michelle McMullan 1:37:52
Aoibheann Swail 1:38:43
Neil Traynor 1:39:07
Patrick Woods 1:40:58
Eve O'Neill 1:45:06
Ciaran Campbell 1:45:18
John Kelly 1:45:32
Paul Pender 1:46:55
Emma Rath 02:02:42

💙 Well done Armagh! 💚

20/09/2026

Congratulations to Armagh A.C. today at the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon!! 😃👏🏻🥳🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️

It was a beautiful clear sunny day in Dublin and it was also clear that all the training was paying off! Great results all round for Armagh, with some really hard-earned PBs, and a top 10 finish in her age group from Fiona! 🎉

Fiona Kearney 1:37:27, 8th F50
Michelle O'Neill 1:41:33
Declan Toal 1:52:42
Seamus Kearney 1:52:42
Mark McKeown 1:55:34
Julie Ann McKeown 2:00:34
Siobhan Jordan 2:14:29
Kathleen Clarke 2:09:50

💚 Well done Armagh!💙🎉


Irish Life Dublin Marathon

19/09/2026

Enter today! 🤩

18/09/2026

🌛Before we know it the mornings & evenings will become darker, and safety is a priority for those heading out for a run or a walk.

🚘It is so important for drivers of vehicles to keep eyes peeled & stay alert at all times for pedestrians on the footpath, on the hard shoulder, on grass verges, or on country roads, coming over a hill or around a corner in particular. Always expect to meet someone, and if visibility is poor - slow down.

🏃🏻‍♂️Runners and walkers, consider these safety tips when you head out, & keep in mind that even if it is not dark when you start, it might be dark on your return home.

1. Change Up Your Routine: If you constantly exercise at 6:30am on the same route this can help an attacker plan a more successful attack, or help them find out where your starting and ending point is located, so change it up.

2. Wear Bright Clothing: Many runners & walkers know to wear bright clothing for traffic safety reasons, but you should do the same on the trail so others can see you wherever you are.

3. Earphones: Take one out of your ear, or lower the volume so you can hear behind and around you; purchase earphones which do not completely block your ear canal; or completely stop using any type of earphone. Listen for danger.

4. Go With A Friend: Run with a friend or group of people. There’s often safety in numbers.

5. Stay Visible: Favour trails and paths which allow you to be clearly seen by passing motorists and other runners, walkers, and cyclists.

6. Keep Your Head Up: If you are a walker, get your head out of your device & look where you are going & what’s around you. If you are a runner, look ahead & around you as well.

7. Use Technology: Consider wearable alarm devices, carry a self-defense tool, & use GPS tracking apps to share your position with family and friends.

8. Use Lights In Daylight: Wear a flashing high-powered light, even if the sun is shining. You want people to see you from a distance should you encounter trouble on your walk or run.

Armagh runners would be much safer if there was a well-lit track for athletics training, but until we have it we must run where we can, so please keep a look out.💛

17/09/2026

🏃🏻‍♂️Launching the annual T.J. McElmeel Cross-country race at the Palace this morning was Race Director Martin McKenna along with representatives from Armagh Athletic Club, Lorcan Vallely, Kathryn Rafferty, James Vallely and Dermot Kerr.

Mr McKenna thanks the race sponsors for their kind support once again and is grateful that they are helping to keep alive the proud tradition of cross-country running not just in the city of Armagh but specifically at the Palace Demesne, where foot races have been held from as far back as the 1880s.

The Athletic Club in Armagh has fond memories of the Armagh City Harriers and their great achievements in this discipline, with the XC tradition having been passed down through generations for many who run in the club today.

Because of the success of the T.J. McElmeel race since its inception, it is the club's sincere hope that Armagh remains among the top events on the calendar for athletes from all over Ireland, long into the future.

Much appreciation goes to the race sponsors:
White's Oats
McElmeel Mobility Services Limited
Armagh Sports & Trophies
CPR Bodyworks.

The T.J. McElmeel races take place on Sunday 27th Sept. 2026! 🏃🏻‍♂️🌳🏃‍♀️🏅

Entries are open at: https://myrunresults.com/events/armagh_ac__tj_mcelmeel_xc_races/6360/details

getactiveabc Athletics Ireland Athletics NI

15/09/2026

50 years ago in 1976 - Mrs Eithne Vallely spoke about the need for athletics facilities in Armagh:

"Athletics is a very popular sport in Co. Armagh and we must insist that tracks be made available in the county," she said. Although Armagh clubs could use the Mary Peters track they were still awaiting the promised track in Craigavon.

She finished with her hopes for the future:
"I would like to see more and more people in every community in the county involved in athletics for the sheer enjoyment of a health sport and I would ask every one of our clubs to make this their policy for the coming year."❤️

Now we are coming to the end of 2026 and despite there being organised athletics in this city since 1890, there are still no facilities dedicated to athletics in Armagh.
We believe it is about time this changed, as Eithne Vallely said, for every person in every community in this county. 💚💙

Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council Athletics NI Athletics Ireland

14/09/2026

There was also success internationally this weekend for Armagh A.C. members:

💚In the British and Irish Junior International Mountain Running Championship there was a great top 20 finish from Upe in the Female U18 race, running for NI & Ulster! Well done Upe! 🎉

💙This year's Great North Run may have seen the first sitting British PM compete, but Andy Burnham was no match for our Keith McAree who finished the 13.1 mile course in 1:50:18! 🥳 Great running Keith!

❤️And in Nice, France, the 70.3 Ironman World Championships saw amazing performances from Armagh athletes swimming, cycling & running for their Triathlon clubs. Lorriane O'Neill, Tracey McArdle and Julie Flood all achieved their ambition of qualifying for and competing brilliantly on the world stage! 🥳🌍

Well done everyone! 😃⛰️💪🏼🏃‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏊‍♀️

13/09/2026

💙💚😃 Well done to our speedy Club Seniors who competed this weekend in the following local races:

☆Galbally 5k:
Mickey Kelly (4th in 18:51) and Christina Crilly (36:11)
☆Break 4 The Border Half Marathon:
Brendan Heaney (1st in 1:16:02) and Christina Crilly (2:25:43)
☆Rock the Lough 5k:
Kristin Jameson (26:12).
☆Rock the Lough Half Marathon:
Kate McKenna (1:44:24) Nakita Carragher (1:44:27) & Ruth Acheson (2:00).

Really great running all round from Armagh athletes with PBs & top finishes included!
Nice work everyone! 😃💪🏼🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️🥳

13/09/2026

💚💙Well done to Armagh A.C. Juniors racing this weekend!

In the Galbally races, organised by -
☆ 5 Mile: Tom came 2nd overall!🥈
☆ 5k: Harry was 1st 🥇 U18 and 7th overall! 🥳👏🏻🎉

Meanwhile in Craigavon at the St Peter's A.C. Rock the Lough 1km, Jessie was the 1st 🥇girl home and 2nd overall! 🎉👏🏻

Great achievements once again from our young athletes! 🌟