Lifford Strabane AC athletes had another successful week of racing & competition results.
The precedent was set on Sunday, August 27th at the Buncrana Street Mile Race.
In the Senior 4x400m relay team made up of juvenile club memebers Alan McGinley, Brandon McGrinder, Niall Elliott & Charlie McElwaine took 3rd team prize overall in an excellent time of 3mins 52secs.
Brandon McGrinder went on to compete in the Senior Mile Race to cross the finish line 2nd overall in an amazing time of 5mins 2secs.
Young Jamie McGinley had a great run in the Girls U11 1k race at the same venue.
The club would like to take this opportunity to express best wishes to Alan & Niall.
Both club athletes will be heading off to university in Dublin & Belfast respectively. We wish you both lots of success as you begin the next level in your education in your chosen college.
Saurdayt 2nd September, club endurance runner Gerard Campbell battled torrential rain & wind to compete in his 29th marathon in the scenic Dingle, Co. Kerry in a time of 3:35:56.
Gerard was presented with the prestige medal from Marathon Club Ireland from completing 25 marathons.
On the same day there was action at the Mary Peters Track from Lifford Strabane AC juvenile athletes Diarmuid O’Donnell, Jack Moore, Harvey Mullen, Oran Gallagher at the U13 Boys Ulster Multi Events Championships in Belfast.
With a profusion of personal bests, the highlight being a 1.41 high jump it was the young Diarmuid O’Donnell who made it onto the podium placing 3rd overall with 1466 points to guarantee a bronze medal.
In the same event Jack Moore placed 6th with a personal best in the long jump 4.17m, Harvey Mullen 8th with a personal best in the high jump 1.26m & Oran Gallagher finishing 9th with a personal best in the 75m hurdles in 15.87seconds!
At the same venue in the U17 Octathlon (8 different events) high jump, shot putt, 400m, long jump, 100m hurdles, discus throw, javelin throw & 1500m race all of which were held over two days, we saw the very successful comeback & welcomed return to competition of club juvenile athlete Thomas Mulllen Junior.
At the end of Day 1, Mullen was sitting in 2nd place, just a mere 55 points adrift the leader with a personal best jump of 5.98m in the long jump.
Sunday, 3rd September, Day 2 of the Octathlon, Thomas Mullen Junior & the leader McConville from North Down AC battled it out until the final event of the competition, it was Mullen who was revealed the overall winner by the narrowest of margins of 3 points when he ran a gutsy 1500m race in an excellent time of 4mins 51.27sec’s. Thomas Mullen Junior finished first to take Gold with a total of 4279 points.
On the same day in very wet conditions at the popular WHM Derry Half Marathon which attracted over 1900 runners to the start line. Lifford Strabane AC was extremely well represented at this race with a total of 40 club members taking part. The rain eased off just prior to the race start. This event was very well organised by Derry City & Strabane District Council in conjunction with the local athletic club City of Derry Spartans.
Senior male athlete Bill Duncan was the first Lifford Strabane AC athlete to grace the finish line finishing 30th overall, taking 3rd in the M50+ Category in a fantastic time of 1:22:46, Kenny Melaugh was next to finish running a personal best in what was his 2nd time to race this distance in an excellent time of 1:22:56. Paul Dillon using this race as a training run for the DCM in October finished in a brilliant time of 1:24:19.
For the ladies it was the industrious club athlete Dympna Houston who led the ladies home in a superb time of 1:43:40. Carmel Hoynes was next to the line in a great time of 1:45:24 followed closely behind by Roisin McGinley running a personal best in a terrific time of 1:46:07.
Lifford Strabane AC athlete Michael Duncan winner of the M55+ Category finished in a smashing time of 1:27:20.
Congratulations to all club members running well deserving personal bests at this event! Personal Bests are results of commitment to your training & hard work!
Well done to all whom competed over the course of the week. Congratulations to competition winners, medal recipients, category winners & to those whom achieved well deserving personal bests!!
Lifford Strabane AC are launching two new programmes with the main purpose in promoting & encouraging physical activity & exercise in a safe & appropriate setting alongside like-minded people.
Monday 4th September at 6:30pm, a “Walking” group will commence. Meeting at the “Clubhouse”, cost €3 per night. Hi-Viz vest will be provided.
Thursday 7th September at 6:30pm Couch 2 5K programme commences. There will be a short meeting before hitting the track.
Please wear suitable clothing and footwear for exercising in. Everyone welcome.
Term 3 membership fees are now due for the period of Sept – Dec. Payments can be made at the clubhouse from Mon 4th Sept – Thur 7th Sept. 6.30pm – 7pm. From 1st Sept adult members only can opt to choose the “pay as you go” payment option of €3 per training session.
Dates for your diaries: Felix’s 5K ‘The Rattlies’ Tues 12th September at 7pm. Riverine 10K Sun 24th September at 10am.
Juvenile Training will recommence on Monday 4th September. Can all athletes be on the track & ready to train at 6:30pm.
Lifford Strabane AC caters for all abilities.
