Congratulations to Niamh Bridson Hubbard (Cambridge University Hare & Hounds) on clinching the 2026 women’s Festival title on her debut at the event. Niamh took convincing victories in the two road races, and was second behind last year’s champion Rebecca Flaherty in the Peel Hill race.
Niamh is well established as a leading athlete on the British scene on road, track and cross-country. She proved her class at this year’s Festival which included her first-ever hill race. As her base is in pan-flat Cambridge, she had no opportunity to prepare for the race!
Among her career achievements was a bronze medal in the Senior Women’s race at the 2023 English National Cross-Country Championships, a race that was memorably won by Isle of Man athlete Sarah Astin. Earlier that winter, Niamh finished 19th for Great Britain in the Senior Women’s race at the European Cross-Country Championships in Brussels.
Niamh’s late grandfather was from the Isle of Man, and she enjoyed many family trips to the Island as a youngster. That connection with the Isle of Man made her victory in this year’s Easter Festival all the more special. Congratulations Niamh!
🖊️ David Griffiths
