The third annual Streets of Killarney Five-Mile Road Race took place on Good Friday, firmly establishing itself as a premier event on the national athletics circuit.

Hosted by Killarney Valley Athletic Club (KVAC), the race saw 1,000 runners take to the town’s streets, with all available entry spots snapped up a full month before the starting gun.

The “fast and flat” course attracted a high-calibre field of elite athletes alongside hundreds of local amateur runners.

Oisin Murray of An Ríocht A.C. claimed the top spot in the men’s category with a time of 24:03, while Leevale A.C.’s Michelle Finn led the women’s field, crossing the finish line in 27:07.

A major highlight of the evening was the participation of official race ambassador and Canadian Paralympian Maddie Wilson-Walker.

A world-class double amputee who lives and trains in Killarney with KVAC, she completed the 5-mile course to a massive reception from the local crowd.

Following the race, she was formally honoured by the Mayor of Killarney, Cllr Martin Grady, for her resilience and her impact on the local sporting community.

Jeremiah Griffin, Chairperson of Killarney Valley AC, praised the continued growth of the event.

He noted that the proceeds are vital for the ongoing development of the club’s athletics facility, ensuring it remains a top-class resource for both young and old in the area.

The event was blessed with calm and mild running weather, a fortunate break given that a Status Yellow weather warning and a severe storm hit the region less than 24 hours later.

Photos by:Olga Derevyanko

Streets of Killarney 5-Mile Results 2026
Top Male Finishers

1. Oisin Murray (An Ríocht A.C.)24:03
2. Jake O’Regan (St. John’s A.C.)24:12
3. Juan Peña (Raheny Shamrock A.C.)24:45
Top Female Finishers

1. Michelle Finn (Leevale A.C.)27:07
2. Amy Pollman Daamen (An Ríocht A.C.)28:22
3. Lily Riordan (Star of the Laune A.C.)28:26

Six dancers from the Áine Murphy Dance Academy in Gneeveguilla have returned from Chicago following a massive haul of medals and titles at the World Irish Dance Championships.

The highlight of the trip saw Marcus O’Sullivan from Milltown crowned World Champion in the Under 13 Boys category.

This is Marcus’s third consecutive world title, a feat that follows his All-Ireland win in Killarney earlier this spring.

His year has been further marked by a personal invitation from Michael Flatley to perform at the 30th-anniversary opening of Lord of the Dance.

In the Under 19 competition, Kilcummin’s Caoimhe O’Halloran secured a podium finish, bringing a coveted World Globe back to Kerry.

Her success is particularly notable as she missed last year’s event due to injury and is currently preparing for her Leaving Certificate.

Eleven-year-old Isabelle O’Sullivan from Rathmore also reached the world stage podium, finishing 6th in the Under 12 category.

Her sister, Grace O’Sullivan, and Kayla Fleming from Brosna both successfully made the final recall in their divisions, while Killarney’s Grace O’Leary achieved a personal best in her first-ever World Championship appearance.

The Academy expressed their gratitude to the local businesses, families, and communities whose fundraising efforts made the trip to the United States possible.