The old Churchill 5K, renowned in its day as Donegal’s toughest 5K, was resurrected last Tuesday. Padraig Friel was crowned ‘King of Churchill’; he crossed the line in 19.51 and was the only runner to breach the 20 minute mark. Martin Gormley was next and was first in the M50 category in 20.08. Nakita Burke became the ‘Queen of Churchill’ after clocking 21.00. Kieran Coyle finished in 21.30.
The proceeds of the event went to the very worthwhile cause of the Foyle Hospice.
Ivan Toner was the first LAC runner home in Friday’s Sean MacCumhaill’s 5K in Ballybofey. Ivan’s time of 16.28 gave him 3rd place overall and 2nd place in the M40 category. Martin Gormley’s recent impressive form continued and he took first prize in the M50 age group in 18.22. Barry Mackey ran 19.27 to take 3rd prize in the M50 category. The winner of the race, which attracted almost 200 runners, was Finn Valley AC’s Gerard Gallagher in 15.52.
Ruth McCrudden ran 27.20 in Saturday morning’s Letterkenny parkrun. She was 2nd in the VW 50-54 category.
Ciaran McGonagle and Raymond Birch both achieved top 10 finishes in Sunday morning’s Waterside Half Marathon in Derry. Ciaran ran 1.14.14, which gave him 7th place overall and 2nd place in the M40 category. Raymond was 9th overall and the 2nd M35 runner in a time of 1.17.22. Keith Gordon’s time was 1.21.45. Peter Hamilton’s time was 1.37.06 and John McFadden’s was 1.52.23. Naoise Enright, Ciaran Liddy and Ben George all clocked 2.00.25.
For the second consecutive week, Martin Gormley both started and finished the week with first places in the M50 category. He ran 18.47 in the ‘Charles McGuinness 5K’ in his native Glenties, giving him his third M50 success of the week. Martin’s daughter, Eimear, made it a family double when she took 2nd place in the women’s race in 21.56. The race winner was Finlay Marshall of Rosses AC in 17.17.
The winning numbers in the LAC Lotto on Thursday 31st August were 5, 18, 21 and 24. There were no jackpot winners. 1 Match 3 winner won €80- Paddy Gildea Butcher’s.
Letterkenny AC wishes to offer sincere condolences to club Registrar, Darren Price and his family, following the recent death of his father, Jim.
Jim Price. R.I.P.
