Thursday night’s Brooks’ International 5K in Armagh again enhanced its reputation as Europe’s top 5K. 94 runners achieved times of sub 15 minutes, with a further 99 running sub 16 minutes, so the first 193 runners all clocked sub 16.
Letterkenny AC’s Danny Mooney was one of those who crossed the line in sub 15 minutes, with an excellent time of 14.43. Eoghain McGinley’s fine form continued and he completed the 5K in an excellent time of 15.20. Pauric Breslin also ran well and came home in 16.03. The race winner was Sam Stabler of Wreake and Soar Valley club, in Leicestershire. His time of 13.59 meant that he flew round the course in an average of 4m30s per mile. He is recognised as one of England’s top runners and won the pre Christmas Leeds Abbey Dash, which was also the 2017 England Athletics 10K Championship, in 29.20.
Eoin Hughes, one of LAC’s large number of promising young runners, had a good run in the Armagh 3K. Eoin finished in 9.16. David Smith, another excellent young prospect, ran well and finished in 9.32. Polish runner, Michal Rozmys, won the 3K in a fast time of 8.30. In-form Nakita Burke put on another outstanding display. She was one of 34 runners who achieved sub 10 minute times in the women’s 3K. Nakita’s time was 9.51 and she is in excellent shape for the busy Spring/Summer schedule of road races that lie ahead. Laura Weightman, of the famous north east of England club Morpeth Harriers, won the 3K in 8.59.
Letterkenny AC runners were to the fore in Saturday’s Letterkenny parkrun, with 7 of the first 12 runners being from LAC. The first club runner was M50 runner, Martin Gormley, who was 2nd overall in a time of 19.42. The race winner was Philip McHugh in 19.09.
Paul Toner was 4th and the leading M40 runner in 19.52. Young Alex Plumb was first in the JM10 category and his time of 21.00 was the fastest of his 7 parkruns to date. Michael Galvin ran 21.11 and was the leading M45 runner. Paul Lee was the 2nd M50 runner in 21.52 and Liam Ferry was the 3rd M35 runner in 21.58. Stephen Shiels ran his fastest time to date and was 2nd in the M45 category in 22.01.
Noel Lynch recorded the best time of his 11 parkruns to date. He was the 3rd M50 runner in 23.07. Cathal Roarty was the next M50 runner in 23.44. Peter McLean, participating in the event for the 66th time, clocked 28.02.
On Sunday, Raymond Birch ran an excellent time of 9.47 for 3,000m in the Olympian AC Track and Field event at Templemore, Derry.
Martin Devenney had a top 10 finish in Sunday’s ‘Run for Kelsey’ 5K in Raphoe. His time was 18.53. Catherine McKinley had a fine run and her time of 22.17 gave her 3rd place in the women’s race. Richard Raymond continued his good form and finished in 22.29. Noel Lynch showed his immense powers of recovery by running his second 5K of the weekend. His time was 22.53. The race was for a very good cause. It was to raise funds for 5 year old Kelsey Barnett, who is receiving treatment in Crumlin Hospital. The race winner was Finn Valley’s Christopher Johnston in 16.45.
The club hope to travel in large numbers to the Glaslough 5K, Co Monaghan on Sunday March 4th. The club would like large numbers of adult members to travel and to make it a club day out. The race has a 1.30pmstart and the travel time from Letterkenny to Glaslough is estimated at 90 minutes. Last year, LAC had a highly successful visit to Glaslough. Danny Mooney won the individual race and a team comprising Danny, Eoin Hughes, Rayan Maguella and Aidan McKenna won the John O’Reilly Trophy. The last time the club were winners of the trophy had been in 1997.
Letterkenny Athletic Club’s annual St Patrick’s Day 5K will commence at 11.30am on Saturday March 17th. Entries will be taken from 10.30am in Aura Leisure Centre. The club is grateful to Voodoo Venue for their continued, generous sponsorship of the event.
