What an incredible performance from our very own Patricia McLoughlin, who proudly represented Ireland at the 2026 IAU & WMA 100Km World Championships 2026 in Ames, Spain, on Sunday, 20 September.
Everyone at Le Chéile AC is immensely proud of Patricia after a superb run on the world stage, completing the gruelling 100km distance in 9 hours, 7 minutes and 15 seconds.
Her performance saw her finish an outstanding 4th in the W50 World Masters 100km Championship, coming agonisingly close to a World Championship medal.
A Tough 100km in the Spanish Heat
Running 100km is an enormous challenge in any conditions, but the athletes in Spain faced an exceptionally difficult day as temperatures climbed to around 35°C.
The heat took its toll as the race progressed, with many athletes unable to make it to the finish.
Against that backdrop, Patricia showed incredible strength, endurance and determination to keep going and complete the full 100km.
4th in the World
To finish fourth in her W50 category at a World Masters Championship is a fantastic achievement and another major result for Patricia, who is also the reigning Irish 100km Champion.
It was fantastic for everyone at Le Chéile to see one of our own athletes wearing the Irish vest and representing her country at a World Championship.
Ireland also enjoyed further success in the World Masters competition, with Terry Shanley of Clane AC taking silver in the M35 category and Ciaran McGonagle of Letterkenny AC winning silver in the M45 category.
A Special Send-Off from Le Chéile
Before Patricia travelled to Spain, we were delighted to give her a special send-off at training on Wednesday evening, with her fellow Le Chéile athletes and club members getting the opportunity to wish her the very best before she headed off to represent Ireland.
It was a lovely club moment and a chance for everyone to show Patricia just how proud we were to have one of our own representing Ireland at a World Championship.
A Very Proud Club
Patricia certainly did herself, her family, her country and Le Chéile AC proud.
Taking on 100km in temperatures reaching around 35°C and placing 4th in the world in her age category is something very special.
Patricia has put in a huge amount of work to reach this level, and it is wonderful to see that dedication rewarded with such an outstanding performance on the international stage.
We would also like to recognise our very own Le Chéile AC club member and coach John O'Regan, who, in his role as Director of Communications for the IAU, was the Project Coordinator for the event. A huge amount of work went on behind the scenes in planning and delivering such a successful World Championship event. Well done and congratulations to John on a job very well done.
We would also like to recognise our very own Le Chéile AC club member and coach John O'Regan, who, in his role as Director of Communications for the IAU, was the Project Coordinator for the event. A huge amount of work went on behind the scenes in planning and delivering such a successful World Championship event. Well done and congratulations to John on a job very well done.
From everyone at Le Chéile Athletic Club – congratulations Patricia. We are incredibly proud of you! 👏
Patricia McLoughlin – IAU & WMA 100Km World Championships 2026:
🏃♀️ 100km – 9:07:15
🌍 World Masters W50 – 4th Place
🏆 Reigning Irish 100km Champion
🏃♀️ 100km – 9:07:15
🌍 World Masters W50 – 4th Place
🏆 Reigning Irish 100km Champion
#LeCheileAC #AthleticsIreland #TeamIreland #IrishAthletics #Running #UltraRunning #100K #World100KChampionships #IAU100K #WorldMastersAthletics #IrishRunning
