Cormac Dalton competes in the Albie Thomas Family / Dublin Athletics men's 5000m during the Morton Games at Morton Stadium in July. Photo: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

Dalton aiming to carry good form into Frank Duffy 10 Mile at Phoenix Park

Published: Fri 14 Aug 2026, 8:00 AM

More than 5,000 runners will line up in the sold-out Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile in the Phoenix Park this Saturday. The event marks the second race in the 2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Series.

First held in 1978, the race named in memory of legendary Civil Service Harriers coach Frank Duffy has been a cornerstone of Irish road running.

Starting on Chesterfield Avenue, the course follows a challenging loop through the Phoenix Park to a u-turn at Castleknock Gate. Runners return via Chesterfield Avenue and Ordnance Survey Road, and take a final turn to Furze Road for the finish.

The event will also host the 2026 Dublin 10 Mile Road Championships, bringing an added competitive edge to the day as some of Dublin’s leading club athletes compete for individual and team honours alongside the wider field.

It will be an interesting contest for that title in the men’s field, as Cormac Dalton (Mullingar Harriers AC), a member of Ireland’s European Cross Country silver medal-winning team in 2025, prepares for the start line.

Dalton ran a personal best in 28:03 at this year’s 10K Valencia Ibercaja by Kiprun and will hope to bring similar road racing form into this weekend.

Winner of the recent Irish Life Fingal 10K, Michael Brady (Raheny Shamrock AC), will be looking for his second title of the series, having won comfortably in Fingal in 30:51. David Troy (Metro/St Brigid’s AC), who recently became the National Senior 10,000m Champion in Tullamore, will also challenge.

In the women’s race, Maebh Brannigan (Galway City Harriers AC) will be a strong contender. Brannigan has a 10-mile personal best of 62:20, and also put in a strong performance in this year’s Dublin City Council Dublin City Half Marathon, finishing second in 74:47.

Fiona Stack (Raheny Shamrock AC) will be in contention with a 10-mile personal best of 60 minutes, while her clubmate Ciara Brady is expected to pose a challenge too.

Sponsors Irish Life will recognise runners throughout the field with milestone finisher prizes, and runners finishing in 250th, 500th, 1000th and 2026th place will each receive €50 vouchers.

Sports Direct, Dublin Marathon Group’s Official Pacing Team Partner, will support runners targeting finish times of 70, 80, 90 and 100 minutes.

Following the Frank Duffy 10 Mile, the sold-out 2026 Irish Life Dublin Race Series will conclude with the Irish Life Dublin Half Marathon in the Phoenix Park on Sunday 20 September.

Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile Race Information

Route

• Route map:

• The race will start at 9am on Chesterfield Avenue in Phoenix Park and finish on Furze Road. Directions to the start will be clearly signposted.

• The highest point of elevation on the route is 49 metres.

• There will be three hydration stations, located at miles 3, 6 and 8.

• There will be a medical station located near the finish.

Race Numbers

• There will be no number collection on race day, as all participants have been posted their race numbers.

Baggage

• A baggage drop facility will be available on Furze Road close to the Chesterfield Avenue junction from 7:30am. Race numbers include a baggage label which can be attached to any baggage left in this area.

Travel, Parking and Cycling

• With thousands of runners taking part, participants are encouraged to allow plenty of time on race morning to travel and get to the start area.

• There is no participant parking available in Phoenix Park. Shuttle buses will operate for the Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile.

• Buses will be located on Parkgate Street close to Frank Sherwin Bridge from 7.30am to 8.30am. They will also operate from the Phoenix Monument after the race to return runners to Parkgate Street.

• Runners within cycling distance are encouraged to travel by bike. A bike park will be available close to the start area.

Toilets

• Toilets will be provided close to the start area.

Race Tracker

• Official tracker: https://track.rtrt.me/e/TDL-DUFFY10M-2026

Goody Bag

• After crossing the finish line, runners will receive a goody bag and an official Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile souvenir race T-shirt. The goody bag will also include Lucozade Sport water, and a Grenade protein bar.

Prizes

• Prizes for the top three individual women and men will be presented at the finish line. All other prizes, including masters prizes, will be posted after the event.

• This year's Irish Life Dublin Marathon on Sunday 25 October is sold out.