A large number of Letterkenny Athletic Club runners descended upon Dublin on Sunday morning for the 38th Dublin Marathon. Traditionally, the Dublin Marathon had been held on the October Bank Holiday Monday. However, the move a few years ago to the Sunday has proved to be inspirational. The event is now the 5th largest in Europe, behind only huge races such as Berlin, London and Paris. Kenyan, Bernard Rotitch, won the race in a very fast time of 2.15.53. Ukranian, Nataliya Lekhonkova, won the women’s race, repeating her success of 2015.
LAC’s Caitriona Jennings put on an excellent performance and her time of 2.42.36 saw her take 2nd place in the Irish National Marathon Championship. Laura Graham , Mourne Runners, retained the championship in 2.39.06.
Ciaran McGonagle ran his 2nd Marathon in the month of October and was the first LAC runner across the line in 2.38.46, which showed his immense powers of recovery. Ciaran was 10th in the highly competitive M40 category, putting him inside the top 0.4% of the 2502 runners in the age group. Kevin McGee had an excellent time of 2.45.55. Endurance specialist, Sean McFadden, finished in 2.51.52, placing him comfortably in the top 3% of the M40 category. Gerard McGranaghan ran 2.57 and Patrick Brennan 3.03.05. Martin Devenney ran well and finished in 3.08.08.
Monica McGranaghan performed well and her time of 3.21.51 gave her a place inside the top 3% in the F40 age group. Darren Beecroft was in the top 11% in the M50 category when he clocked 3.23.49. Barry Mackey expressed his delight at his new PB of 3.30.19 and expressed his gratitude to all at LAC. He was inside the top 17% in the M50 group. Shortly behind Barry was John McFadden who clocked 3.31.58. Next were Paul McMonagle and Adrian Callaghan in 3.36.08. Paul’s performance was a PB by 28 minutes and Adrian was in the first 30% of the M40 finishers. They were followed by Stephen Shiels whose time of 3.39.09 saw him finish in the top 28% in the M45 category.
Gerard Mullen finished in 3.52.35. Noel Lynch clocked 3.54.07 and was inside the top half of runners in the M45 category. Serena McDaid’s time was 3.56.40 and that gave her a place in the top 20% in the F40 category.
Paul Lee finished in 4.02.11. Naoise Enright crossed the line in 4.14.12 and Ciaran Liddy in 4.30.44.
Nearer to home the Letterkenny AC ‘Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure New Mills 10K’ was taking place. The race winner was LAC man Pauric Breslin whose time was 35.10. Fionnuala Diver was an impressive winner of the women’s race in 38.08. First in the M50 category was Martin Gormley in 38.49. Peter Hamilton finished in 42.32. Liam Ferry and John Hughes both crossed the line in 42.50. Frank Pinder finished in 44.09.
The first 4 M60 runners were all from Letterkenny AC. First, in 46.00, was Richard Raymond, a man who has amassed a huge number of M60 first places in 2017. He was followed by Jimmy McBride in 47.37, Brian Gallagher in 51.51 and Philip Connolly in 52.16.
Mary Sweeney had a good run and finished in 48.14. Pat McKenna and Niamh McDaid both crossed the line in 54.24.
Letterkenny AC is very grateful to Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure for their generous sponsorship of the 10K. The club also appreciates the hard work and dedication of the large number of people and organisations who ensured the smooth running of the event.
Martin Temple finished in 23.23 in Saturday’s Letterkenny parkrun. Martin Gormley clocked 23.43 and was 2nd in the M50 category. Cathal Roarty’s time was 24.48.
Hugh Gallagher
Letterkenny AC PRO.
