Sunday 20th September, 2026
The Dumfries Half Marathon is a popular road race organised by Dumfries Running Club, starting and finishing at Dumfries & Galloway College. The event takes runners from Dumfries into the surrounding countryside on a scenic route towards Glencaple before returning to the college. Runners tackle an accurately measured 13.1 mile course with views across the Dumfriesshire countryside and towards Criffel. The route is well marshalled, with mile markers and regular water stations, while chip timing provides accurate results. A three hour time limit applies to the Half Marathon. The race is held under Scottish Athletics rules and also hosted the British Masters Championships this year
It was a notable day of competition at the Dumfries Half Marathon, Conditions were challenging throughout, with a consistently hilly route and a strong headwind affecting pacing and effort from the early miles.#
The race began at a fast tempo, with Neil Lafferty positioning himself in the lead group of roughly ten athletes, while Paul Monaghan opted for a steadier approach within the main chase pack. As the course progressed and the terrain continued to break up the field, both groups dispersed, leaving athletes to manage their own race strategies in pursuit of national honours.
Neil produced an exceptional performance, maintaining his position against several leading veteran runners. He finished second overall, only a few seconds behind the winner, and recorded a substantial personal best of 1:11:59, breaking the 72‑minute barrier despite the demanding conditions.
Paul executed a controlled and consistent race from the second group, making a decisive move in the closing miles to secure 11th place overall in approximately 1:17:40.
Official results later confirmed an outstanding outcome for the club: Neil secured the British Masters V45 Gold, while Paul claimed the V55 Gold. Achieving national titles made it an especially significant day for the athletes and for Greenock Glenpark Harriers.
