Tina’s journey from running alone to taking on the world

Athlone native Tina Keyes McDonagh, who only took up running in 2019, has had a remarkable year to remember.

A member of Galway Harriers Athletics Club, Tina has already achieved notable finishes at both European and World Masters events, having started running, alone, in her local fields of Headford seven years ago.

When Tina first started running, it was simply because she loved the freedom and enjoyment it brought her. After joining Galway Harriers, she started running with them weekly and taking part in 5k, 8k and half marathon races.

Just a few years later, Tina represented Ireland on the international stage, with her competitive career really taking off in an extraordinary 18 months.

She competed at the European Championships in Madeira, Poland and Sicily before travelling to South Korea for the World Masters Athletics Championships earlier this year.

At the 2026 World Masters Championships in Daegu, Tina finished seventh in the 8k cross-country and ninth in the 10k road race in the women’s over-55 category. She achieved these performances in extremely challenging conditions, with humidity reaching 97 per cent.

Her European achievements are equally impressive. At the European Masters Non-Stadia Championships, in Sicily in May, Tina collected six medals across individual and team competitions, including individual silver in the 10k road race and team gold in the half marathon.

She also enjoyed success in women’s and mixed relay events, competing across three consecutive days.

Adding to her remarkable year, Tina and her Irish women’s masters team were nominated for a national team award at the Irish Masters Athletics Association’s annual awards ceremony.

Just seven days after completing the Madeira half marathon, she ran the Dublin Marathon in aid of the Irish Kidney Association, a charity that is dear to Tina and members of her Headford Harriers running group.

Tina’s success also extended to Spain, where she competed in an international cross-country event in November 2025, finishing first in her age category.

Another important and touching part of Tina’s journey is her partner, Ian, whom she met through a shared love of running. A runner himself, Ian immediately recognised Tina’s natural ability and saw the potential for her to compete at a much higher level. It was his belief in her talent that opened her up to the world of competitive athletics, encouraging her to take on European and World Masters Championships. Throughout her remarkable rise, Ian has been a constant source of encouragement.

Alongside her extraordinary sporting achievements, Tina is also the founder of Headford Harriers, a free community running group established in 2023. With just three people at the first gathering, Tina secured high-vis vests from local councillor Andrew

Reddington for their very first run and since then, Headford Harriers has grown into a thriving community, with more than 133 people involved in the club.

Through the ‘Couch to 5K programme’, Tina welcomes new groups of beginners throughout the year, helping them build fitness, confidence and belief in what they can achieve.

She carefully plans weekly running schedules and ensures there are opportunities for everyone, from complete beginners to more

experienced runners. Her approach is built around encouragement, inclusivity and celebrating individual progress, no matter how small.

Tina champions the importance of social connection, friendship and the benefits of exercise for both physical and mental health. For many members, their weekly run has become an important escape from the pressures of everyday life, with Tina creating an environment where people feel supported, encouraged and proud of their achievements.

Tina has also established an annual 8k road race as part of ‘Headfest’, which is Headford’s local community festival, held over the June Bank Holiday weekend. The event has become a popular fixture in the local calendar, attracting large crowds of runners and supporters and bringing the community together through sport.

Despite travelling internationally and competing against some of the world’s leading masters athletes, Tina remains at the heart of the community running group, dedicating her time to helping others discover the same enjoyment and sense of achievement that running first brought to her.