Mayo man on the podium at Frank Duffy 10 Mile in Dublin

Mayo’s Hugh Armstrong (Ballina AC) made a strong return to form at the Irish Life Frank Duffy 10 Mile in Phoenix Park, finishing runner-up in a sold-out race that brought thousands of runners to the capital for the second leg of the Irish Life Dublin Race Series.

Armstrong, who is rebuilding fitness after injury, clocked an impressive 49:45 to take second behind Dubliner Pierre Murchan (Dublin City Harriers), who won on his debut over the distance in 49:02.

The Ballina AC athlete held pace with the leader for much of the race before being edged out after the halfway point.

Donegal’s Stephen McAuley (Letterkenny AC) completed the men’s podium in 50:55.

Speaking afterwards, Armstrong said: “I’m getting there. I’m not as fit as I was this time last year because I had an injury, but it’s coming.

“I don’t know yet what I’ll do next. I was thinking about Berlin but it’s probably too soon, so I’ll run either Dublin Half or Valencia Half, which is the same day as Dublin. I think I’ll probably just do a half this autumn to get everything back on track and see how it goes.”

The result marks a positive step forward for the Mayo man, who won this event in 2024 and continues to build towards a busy autumn racing season.

In the women’s race, Ann-Marie McGlynn (Strabane AC) maintained her dominance in the Dublin Race Series, winning in 56:08, ahead of Caitlyn Harvey (RoadRunners AC, 59:40) and Dublin’s Kate Purcell (Raheny Shamrock AC, 59:58).

The Frank Duffy 10 Mile once again mixed elite talent with thousands of recreational participants, cheered on by big crowds around Phoenix Park’s rolling course.

The Irish Life Dublin Race Series moves next to the half marathon in the Phoenix Park on September 21 before the flagship Irish Life Dublin Marathon on Sunday, October 26.