Race Preview: 2026 National Duathlon Championships
A sold-out Phoenix Park Duathlon will welcome 350 athletes on Sunday to celebrate the very best of run, bike, run in Ireland. The iconic Belpark Triathlon Club event will host the 2026 National Duathlon Championships, while also serving as the final round of the 2026 Duathlon National Series and the Intervarsity National Championships.
After months of racing across the country, national titles and series standings will be decided tomorrow. With championship medals on the line and crucial series points up for grabs, expect exciting racing from the start.
the course
Set in the heart of Phoenix Park, the race follows a quick sprint format.
The run course is based on a 2.5km triangular loop, completed twice for the opening 5km run and once more for the final 2.5km run. It’s long, exposed straights will make it hard to hide as athletes will be able to see rivals ahead, driving the pace from the outset and keeps the pressure on all the way to the finish.
The bike course consists of three laps on a circuit through the Park. Starting near the Papal Cross, the route stretches out along Chesterfield Avenue before looping back via the rolling roads toward Chapelizod. It’s not without challenge, with the Khyber Pass featuring on each lap. Maintaining momentum and positioning will be key across the 21km.
Transition sits at the heart of the course, meaning athletes and spectators alike will feel the intensity as the race unfolds lap by lap.
the contenders
With only athletes who have completed two or more races eligible for the Duathlon National Series title, this will make for an interesting race dynamic tomorrow. Several athletes lining up in Phoenix Park are not within Duathlon National Series contention, setting up a competition between those chasing the national championship title, those chasing overall and age group Duathlon National Series honours, and those chasing both!
See the current Duathlon Nationals Series standings for both the Open and the Female fields at the link below. The Triathlon Ireland My Tri Ranking pages are powered buy our Finance & Insights Partner AccountsIQ.
The open race features a stacked lineup. Among them is Niall Cornyn, a multiple-time duathlon national champion and the 2025 Duathlon National Series winner. A field packed with depth and emerging talent will see Leo Corry (Belpark TC) and Enda Bagnall (Eden TC) in Phoenix Park tomorrow, both of whom have delivered strong performances this season.
Challengers such as Ciaran Kyne (Piranha TC), Archie Bremner (Wicklow TC), James Graham (Peninsula TC), Luke Smith, and Ethan Doherty are on the start list – all of whom have the potential to influence the race. With three bike laps offering opportunities to break things apart, and a short, sharp final run to decide it, the open race promises to be competitive from the outset.
The female field is shaping up to be hugely competitive on the day, with a strong mix of proven experience and in-form series contenders.
Among the contenders on the start line will be Emma O’Brien from Wicklow TC, 2024 Duathlon National Champion and 2025 Triathlon National Series winner. She’ll face stiff competition from athletes like Saoirse O’Brien and SERE Lisburn Duathlon Winner Helen Perry. Amy Pollman-Daamen, Maura Barry (Cork TC), Lara Buck and Carmel Moran (Pulse TC) are also on the start list – all of whom have shown strong form across the season and will be firmly in the hunt for their final Duathlon National Series points.
Host club representation will be strong through Belpark’s Andrea Brennan and Ellen Murphy, who will look to make the most of the familiar course.
the action starts tomorrow
Few venues match the Phoenix Park for racing – city centre location and a central transition area create a championship atmosphere, while Belpark Triathlon Club’s organisation ensures a smooth and high-quality event experience.
From the first stride to the final sprint, this will be full-gas.
