Armagh’s internationally recognised road-racing event will return in 2027 with a major addition to its women’s programme: a new Women’s International Elite 5K.
The 35th Armagh International Road Races will take place on the streets of Armagh on Thursday, February 11, with athletes again competing around The Mall. Organisers say the event has built an international reputation for fast times, deep fields and a distinctive floodlit atmosphere.
A new international race for women
The new Women’s International Elite 5K will create an additional platform for female athletes competing in a high-quality international field. It will sit alongside the existing Men’s International Elite 5K, which will remain unchanged.
The previous International 3K will become a Women’s Open 3K. Organisers say the change will maintain opportunities for club athletes, developing runners and a new generation of competitors to experience racing in Armagh.
Sheena Kerr, co-race director, said: “We are delighted to introduce the Women’s International Elite 5K to the programme for 2027. This is a really exciting development for the event. Providing women with further opportunities to compete in a high-quality international field is hugely important.”
She added: “We want to continue creating platforms where female athletes can challenge themselves, achieve their ambitions and inspire the next generation of women and girls to get involved in sport.”
35 years of racing in Armagh
The event attracts athletes from across the UK, Ireland, Europe and beyond. Organisers describe it as one of the fastest road-racing events in the world, while its 35th running marks a significant milestone for a competition that began in Armagh and has grown into a respected fixture on the international athletics calendar.
Race director Craig Troughton said: “As we approach the 35th running of the Armagh International Road Races, it’s incredible to reflect on how far the event has come. What has grown over the years is not just the scale of the races, but the reputation and respect the event now has internationally, among athletes and the wider sporting community.”
He said Armagh Athletics Club, the event committee and the wider community were proud that the city had become a destination for athletes from around the world. He also highlighted the value of the races in promoting Armagh internationally.
“That brings tremendous value to our city, shining a spotlight on Armagh and bringing worldwide attention to what our city has to offer.”
Troughton said the event’s importance extended beyond race times, including the contribution of volunteers, sponsors, young athletes and the wider community.
Record-level performances and a global audience
The 2026 races demonstrated the strength of the competition. All 206 finishers in the International Men’s 5K recorded times under 16:36, with 137 finishing in less than 15 minutes and 23 breaking the 14-minute barrier.
Nick Griggs, representing Northern Ireland and Ulster, won the Men’s International 5K in 13:37. Emily Haggard-Kearney, also representing NI and Ulster, won the Women’s International 3K in 9:07, while William Driscoll took the Men’s Open 3K in 8:33.
Across 11 juvenile races, 1,300 young athletes competed in the Armagh Credit Union Schools League. The event also generated more than four million media views and online engagements, alongside 13,000 live-stream viewers.
All races in 2027 will again be broadcast live, allowing audiences in Armagh and further afield to follow race night.
Entries, sponsors and local involvement
Entries for all races will open at 9am on Thursday, October 29, 2026. Athletes seeking places in the Men’s International 5K or Women’s International 5K must apply through the event entry platform. Applications for those international races will close at 8pm on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
Direct registration for the Juvenile and Open 3K races will also open on October 29 and remain available until January 2027.
On and Armagh Sports and Trophies will return as headline sponsors. Whites Oats and Linwood’s will continue as race title sponsors, while Armagh Credit Union will sponsor the Schools League.
The event is organised by Armagh Athletics Club and remains rooted in the local community, with residents, businesses, schools, volunteers and spectators all contributing to the atmosphere around The Mall.
Organisers say they are looking forward to welcoming athletes and supporters to Armagh on Thursday, February 11, 2027, as the event begins its next chapter.