Jack O'Leary (runner)
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| Nationality | Irish | ||||||||||||||
| Born | 4 November 1997 | ||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||
Events | Cross country, Long-distance running | ||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Jack O'Leary (born 4 November 1997) is an Irish long-distance and cross country runner. He was a silver medalist in the team race at the 2025 European Cross Country Championships.[1]
Early life
From Westmeath, he grew up on his family’s Lynn Lodge Stud farm in Killucan.[2] A jockey in his youth, he rode horses for trainer Gordon Elliott.[3]
Career
As a junior runner, O'Leary won the Leinster Schools Cross Country Championships in 2016.[4]
A member of the Athletics Ireland National Endurance Group, O'Leary set new personal bests over 5000 metres and 10,000 metres in 2025, and placed third over 5000m at the Irish Athletics Championships in 2025.[5]
O'Leary led the Irish men’s team to a silver medal at the 2025 European Cross Country Championships in Lagoa, Portugal on 14 December 2025, placing fifth overall in the men's individual race. [6]
On 11 January 2026, O'Leary lowered his personal best for the 10km to 27:41 whilst competing in Valencia.[7] On 26 July, he placed second overall behind Darragh McElhinney in the 5000 metres at the 2026 Irish championships.[8] In August, he competed at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, England, placing tenth in the 10,000 metres.[9]
Personal life
He had an athletics scholarship to study at Iona College in New York. His father Eddie O'Leary is the racing manager for Gigginstown House Stud. He is the nephew of Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. His cousin is Irish rugby union player Rowan Osborne.[10][11]
References
- ↑ "Jack O'Leary". World Athletics. Retrieved 14 Dec 2025.
- ↑ Dennehy, Cathal (11 April 2022). "'There is something really special happening' – Jack O'Leary on rising tide of Irish athletics". Independent.ie. Retrieved 14 Dec 2025.
- ↑ Kidsane, Sinead (14 August 2026). "Jack O'Leary has learned the art of 'working like a dog' from famous family as he prepares for track debut at European Champs". Independent.ie. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
- ↑ Dennehy, Cathal (10 February 2016). "Jack O'Leary powers to glory at Leinster Schools Cross Country championships". Independent.ie.
- ↑ "102-MILE TRAINING WEEKS: HOW JACK O'LEARY IS PREPARING FOR A SEASON OF SUCCESS". Athletics Ireland. 1 November 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- ↑ Dennehy, Cathal (14 Dec 2025). "Nick Griggs leads Ireland to U-23 individual and team gold at European Cross Country Championships". Independent.ie. Retrieved 14 Dec 2025.
- ↑ Dennehy, Cathal (11 Jan 2026). "Ireland's Efrem Gidey breaks his own national 10km record with 12th place finish in Valencia". Independent.ie. Retrieved 11 Jan 2026.
- ↑ Dennehy, Cathal (26 July 2026). "Cian McPhillips shows medal potential for European Championships with classy 800m display to take Irish title". Independent.ie. Retrieved 26 July 2026.
- ↑ "European Athletics Championships". World Athletics. 10 August 2026. Retrieved 19 August 2026.
- ↑ "Jack O'Leary intent on making his own name for himself". Irish Examiner. 11 Apr 2022. Retrieved 14 Dec 2025.
- ↑ "Flying high: Ryanair chief's nephew goes for gold". Independent.ie. 8 Dec 2018. Retrieved 14 Dec 2025.