Armagh’s legendary 10-Mile Road Race and 6K Fun Run will return to the Navan Centre on Sunday, October 11, bringing a long-running fixture, a countryside course and a finish-line reward of hot chocolate or ice cream for eligible participants.
Both races will start and finish at the Navan Centre, where refreshments will be available after the racing. MaxxPresso has sponsored a complimentary hot chocolate or ice cream for all finishers before 1pm, provided they present their bib number.
A race with a 25-year history
Organised by Armagh A.C., the 10-Mile and 6K events have been staged every year since 1999, with the exception of 2020, when the pandemic brought events to a halt. The launch was held at the Armagh City Hotel, with race sponsors Digby’s Restaurant, JMW Meats, Autobits and MaxxPresso joining organisers and club members.
The race has built a strong competitive reputation. The inaugural men’s winner was Alan McCullough, the brother of Olympic boxing silver-medallist Wayne McCullough. Irish international John Downes has won the men’s race three times, while Olympian Breege Connolly has claimed the women’s title five times.
Other notable winners include Olympian Maria McCambridge, who recorded two victories, Belfast Marathon winner Laura Graham, also a two-time winner, and former Dublin Marathon winner and World Championship competitor Sean Hehir, who won in 2019. The 2025 winners were Dearbhla Cox and Cameron Stewart.
Rolling Armagh route follows Navan mythology
The 10-mile course takes runners through the rolling Armagh countryside. Its climbs are described as not too steep, with downhill and flat sections between them, making the event a useful warm-up for the Dublin Marathon later in October.
The route also draws on the mythology of Eamhain Macha, known today as Navan Fort. According to the story associated with the site, Macha raced the King’s charioteer while on foot and heavily pregnant, then gave birth to twins after crossing the finishing line. The story is commemorated by a bronze sculpture created by artist Carolyn Mulholland.
The sculpture is presented jointly to the male and female 10-mile winners. The race itself is sponsored by Armagh City Hotel.
Fun Run places and entry information
The 6K Fun Run has attracted both younger and older participants over the years. Trophies will go to the first, second and third finishers in both male and female categories, while every finisher will receive a medal.
Entry for both races is available online through myrunresults.com. Further information is available through the event’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Organisers have thanked the race sponsors for helping the event maintain a high standard and wished participants well.
