Armagh Road Race attracts 'the best runners' in Europe

The women's 3km race competitors on their marks at the start line

It is an event which has grown in both popularity and the international flavour of its elite competitors.

In fact, one of Europe's top runners described the long distance road race in Armagh as the "perfect fitness test".

Topi Raitanen from Finland recently competed in the cold, wet and windy conditions to cross the 5km line first in a race around the Cathedral City.

The European 3,000m steeplechase champion led 17 runners to finish the distance in under 14 minutes.

"I know that there have been a lot of Finns coming here from back in the day," Mr Raitanen told BBC News NI.

Topi Raitanen, European steeplechase champion, said it was a really good event

"I like the environment here, a lot of spectators and a lot of guys running sub-15 minutes which makes it a really good event," he said.

The Armagh Annual International Road Races are organised by Armagh Athletic Club and attract athletes of the highest elite standards from all over the world.

The last time around no fewer than 191 of the 237 finishers were from outside the island of Ireland.

Race director James Vallely said 139 competitors had run the Men's 5K in under 15 minutes in 2020, which he said is an event record.

James Vallely is the Armagh international road race director

Mr Vallely said he believed Armagh is "the fastest in-depth road race in the world".

"We hold that record. We have made this claim many times, and it has not been refuted by any other events around the world," he added.

Compared to other similar running events, the cash prize is small with winners taking home £200. But the experience is what matters.

"The runners come here not for the money, it's for the contest," the race director explained.

"In the American championships, the winning prize is $10k, and they run slower than they do at Armagh."

Vidar Johansson from Gothenburg

'Top runners are here'

When asked what makes Armagh so appealing for athletes, Vidar Johansson from Gothenburg, Sweden, said: "The absolute top runners are here."

Johansson ran in the men's 5km with a time of 13:52, just shy of third place.

"This is my first race of the season, and it's my first time running here in Northern Ireland and it was a great experience.

"The absolute top runners are here, and to compete with them on an oval track, with a great crowd, is really nice."

"In Europe, for sure, it is one of the best," he added.

Vidar Johansson (left) and the rest of his team from Sweden

'Unbelievable atmosphere'

The Women's International 3k, too, continues to attract some of the finest athletes from around the world

This year Megan Davies topped the women's elite 3km race, outpacing race favourite and Tokyo Olympics 800m finalist Alexandra Bell from England in the final stretch.

"Last year I came fourth and I knew that this year I wanted to beat my time. Even though coming in the top three at Armagh is just crazy," she said.

Megan Davies from Scotland clocked nine minutes and 19 seconds in the women's 3km event to take first place

"I've been here for a few years now; love the event, I love everything about it.

"The atmosphere is absolutely unbelievable, everyone seems to get so behind it.

"When me and my coach sit down and line out my season, I always say that I want to hit Armagh hard, because it attracts the best runners."