Although the long Donegal 2017 Grand Prix is now entering its closing stages, Letterkenny AC runners are showing no signs of weariness.
This was illustrated in Tuesday evening’s Loreto Convent 5K, where 70% of the top 10 finishers were from LAC.
First across the line was Ciaran McGonagle in a time of 16.58. He was followed by Sean McFadden in 17.40.
Martin Gormley’s recent good form continued and his time of 18.54 gave him 5th place and 1st prize in the M50 category that he has dominated in recent weeks.
Michael Galvin was the M40 winner in 20.07. One of LAC’s fine crop of young runners, Harry Shields, was the 2nd Male Junior in 20.36. Irene McFadden was the first woman in 20.37 and Paul Lee was the 2nd M50 runner in 21.33.
Eimear Gormley was the 2nd Senior Woman in 21.58. Tiegan Smith took 1st place in the Female Junior Category in 23.11 and Margaret Shields clocked 23.33. Ruari McFadden clocked 24.59, Shauna McGeehan 25.29, Anna Boyle 26.28 and one of LAC’s longest serving members, Jimmy Gildea, 35.52.
Runners had the choice of 2 races in the North West on Friday evening. In the ‘5K Memorial Classic’ in Derry, young Eoin Hughes confirmed his status as one of Ireland’s top teenage runners when he came home in 2nd place in an excellent time of 15.43.
The only runner ahead of Eoin was highly rated African, Gideon Kipsang of Derry Track Club, in 15.30.
Barry Mackey continued the excellent form he showed all summer. Despite having a 20 mile run in his legs from just 3 days earlier, as part of his Dublin Marathon build up, Barry was the 2nd M50 runner in a time of 19.14.
After the race, Barry was given a much deserved award, ‘The Spirit of the Race Award’. Speaking afterwards, Barry said he was “humbled, honoured and privileged to receive this award which will be treasured for the rest of my life.”
Barry’s next outing, as part of his Marathon build-up, will be a half marathon in Paris on Sunday.
The Dromore (Killygordon) National School 5K was also run on Friday and attracted in excess of 200 runners. Patrick Brennan, whose wife, school Deputy Principal, Catriona, organised the race, was 4th in 18.03. He was behind a trio of Finn Valley runners, the first of whom was Gerard Gallagher in 16.12.
Martin Gormley’s exemplary form continued with his time of 18.29 giving him yet another M50 first prize.
Martin’s daughter, Eimear, has also shown excellent form since her recent return from teaching in Dublin to take up a teaching post in Donegal.
She was the 3rd woman in 21.28.
Several LAC runners made the long journey to Belfast on Sunday morning to take part in the ‘Deep River Rock Belfast City Half Marathon’.
The journey was well worthwhile with a plethora of PBs.
There was a stunning victory, as well as a PB, for in-form Catriona Jennings. She was the first woman across the line and achieved a new PB of 1.15.37. Amazingly, all the other LAC runners achieved PBs as well.
Paul McFadden finished in 1.19.46 and Martin Devenney in 1.22.40. Next was Patrick Brennan, who completed an action packed weekend with a time of 1.23.05. Gerard McGranaghan clocked 1.23.35, Darren Beecroft 1.31.45 and John Hughes 1.33.50. Monica McGranaghan celebrated her birthday in style with a PB of 1.32.02.
Nearer home, the ‘Mulroy College Milford 5K and 10K’ also took place on Sunday morning. The Price family were out in force in the 5K, with Darren finishing in 6th position in a time of 22.48. Young Matthew ran an excellent time of 27.19 in the 5K which was won by Lifford/Strabane AC’s Charlie McElwaine in 17.51. Matthew’s sister, Emma, clocked 35.90 and their mother, Claire, finished in 35.09.
Milford native, LAC man Karol Duggan, was the winner of the 10K in 33.27. He was an impressive winner as his nearest challenger, Finn Valley AC’s James McFadden, finished almost 2 minutes adrift. Liam Doherty clocked 39.46. Shauna McGeehan was the first woman in 40.35. The 3rd woman was Irene McFadden in 42.29.
Kevin Greenan’s good form in the M60 category continued and he was the first M60 runner in 44.31. Fellow M60 LAC men, Richard Raymond, clocked 46.02 and Jimmy McBride 47.13. Marian Kerr finished in 48.30.
The ‘Leo Finnegan Memorial Run’ will be held on Wednesday September 27th. Louise Finnegan is organising the 3K walk and 5K Fun Run in memory of her late husband Leo and to raise funds for the Donegal Hospice. The race will start at 7.00pm from Diver’s Hyundai Garage, Canal Road, Letterkenny.
The winning numbers in the LAC lotto on September 14th were 1, 15, 21 and 24. There were no Match 4 winners. Joe Marley won €80 for matching 3 numbers.
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