Letterkenny 24/7 club had the great privilege of hosting the National Duathlon championships on Sunday.
This was a huge occasion for 24/7 and it was a great success.
Conditions were perfect for the 10k/40k/5k route that brought competitors around the Newmills 10k route, before a fast 2lap 40k bike course finishing off with a 5k run that brought competitors through the grounds of St Eunan’s.
Con Doherty was crowned National Champion with a superb finish time of 01:49:41. Heather Foley retained her title of National champion finishing in 02:08:33.
Sean McFadden was the first 24/7 member to cross the finish line, 17th overall in a time of 02:01:00.
Natasha Kelly was the first club female to finish in a brilliant time of 02:27:41. Natasha was crowned National F25-29 champion.
There were also great club performances from Jonathan Edwards, 02:16:01,
Pat Brady, 02:16:59, Michael Russell, 02:19:41, Brendan McBride, 02:21:33 picking up 3rd M50-54 and Mark Rodgers 02:29:57. Fionnuala Larkin finished in 02:31:24, Tommy Hill, 02:33:13, Sam Bogan,02:38:14, Martin Temple ,02:41:21, Paul O’Gara,02:41:52.
Junior Sprint Distance Championships
Ben Ryan and Maeve Gallagher were crowned National Junior champions, Ben finishing in 01:01:26 and Maeve in a time of 01:06:42- third overall, 1st female!
Well done to club member Aoibheann O’Grady finishing in a great time of 01:35:33.
The club wishes to acknowledge St. Eunan’s GAA club for the use of O’ Donnell Park and Aura Leisure Centre for the use of their facilities. A big thank you is also extended to main race sponsors Pat and Amanda from The Kitchen for the excellent food provided for all competitors.
Planning a club race is not an easy task but Race Director Clara Quigley ably assisted by her race committee and team of marshals and volunteers ensured the event ran smoothly. Thanks to everyone who gave up their time to help in any way. Congratulations to all club members who took part.
Note from our race director:
Our duathlon was a great success on Sunday. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who helped on the day. I’ve already had several emails congratulating us on a great event and thanking the marshals for the support and cheering on the day.
For our first ever national championship event everything ran really well. Our feedback from our technical officials was very positive. It is refreshing after all the hard work put in by so many to get such positive feedback. We had great marshal support on Sunday and I think it was a very proud day for 247.
Thanks to all our kind sponsors who always contribute to our races. As always, a special thanks must go to Pat and Amanda Brady from the Kitchen! We are delighted to have you as such supportive sponsors and it helps that the food is always top notch too! Thanks to St. Eunan’s GAA club for the use of their top- class facilities over the weekend, the race would not have been possible without all their help.
Thanks to Patrick from Fix you physio for coming out on the day to help the athletes with any tired and sore muscles after a tough race!
I hope everyone had a great day and I look forward to many more successful race days as a proud member of this club (in a role other than race director)!
Thank you all so very much!
Children’s Festival
Another first for the club on Sunday was the hosting of our children’s duathlon. It was a massive success and the feedback from kids, competitors and spectators has been phenomenal. A lot of hard work from our Youth committee in the run up to Sunday certainly paid off and we hope to run more children’s events later in the season.
Cara Bundoran 10mile/10k
A sea of club colours made their way across the gap on Saturday morning to take on the Cara Bundoran 10mile/10k event. The wet and windy conditions made the infamous Bundoran bypass hard work for all competitors but despite conditions there were some impressive times with PBS galore!
Paul Cullen was the first 24/7 member to cross the line with a superb PB of 1:03:24. Catherine McKinley was first club female in a brilliant time of 1:14:52.
There were very impressive times overall, too many to mention, full results are listed below!
Club Training
Club training continues as follows:
Tuesday:Â Road based session-6.30pm from Aura (trial change)- Hi-viz essential- no hi- viz no session!
Wednesday: Swim session- Beginners 7-8pm, All others 8-9pm
Thursday: Long run leaves Aura 6.30pm- Hi-viz essential- no hi- viz no session!
Saturday: Club cycle leaves from Aura at 8am
Saturday: Club swim session Saturday at 6pm Additional lane added for 14-16yr old club members- MUST be accompanied by a parent (please note prepayment does not cover Saturday swim.
**Please note: there will be no swim session this Saturday 17th March**
Full Results
National Duathlon Championships
Sean McFadden 02:01:00 17th overall
Jonathan Edwards 02:16:01
Pat Brady 02:16:59
Michael Russell 02:19:41
Brendan McBride 02:21:33 3rd M50-54
Natasha Kelly 02:27:41
Mark Rodgers 02:29:57
Fionnuala Larkin 02:31:24
Tommy Hill 02:33:13
Sam Bogan 02:38:14
Martin Temple 02:41:21
Paul O’Gara 02:41:52
Bronagh O’Gara DNQ
Junior Sprint Distance
Aoibheann O’Grady 01:35:33
Cara Bundoran 10mile
Paul Cullen 1:03:24 PB
Clint Doherty 1:06:35
Colin Dean 1:06:49
Jason King 1:06:54
Liam Tinney 1:12:05
Catherine McKinley 1:14:52
Philip Browne 1:16:37
Alaistair Hetherington 1:16:37
Niamh Gibbons 1:19:13 PB
Keith Gordon 1:19:27
Paul Kelly 1:19:19
Johnny Duffy 1:19:49
Martina McDaid 1:25:24 PB
Terence Quinn 1:26:16
Anne Robinson 1:27:10
Fiona Temple 1:32:46
Patrick Kennedy 1:35:59
Cara Bundoran 10k
Elaine Gallagher 59:42 PB
Carol McCabe 1:06:02
