The Buncrana 5K has the reputation of being one of the highest quality summer 5Ks and last Wednesday’s event once again re-inforced that reputation. The first 11 runners all recorded sub 16 minute times. The first LAC runner across the line was Ciaran Doherty, whose time of 15.27 gave him 1st place in a very competitive M40 category. Karol Duggan’s good form continued and he recorded a time of 15.47. Next was Ciaran McGonagle in 16.00.
Raymond Birch’s pursuit of PBs paid dividends once again. His time of 16.19 meant he notched up his 2nd 5K PB inside a week. Pauric Breslin ran well and finished in 16.55. Sean McFadden clocked 17.26, with fellow LAC M40, Liam Doherty, just 3 seconds behind.Darrren Price continued his impressive comeback after back surgery and had an excellent time of 18.04.
Barry Mackey followed up last week’s PB of 18.43 by running that exact time again. Parkrun specialist, Liam Ferry, had a good time of 18.57. Ciaran O’Donnell had a strong run and clocked 19.16. Pat Brady finished in 19.42, Paul Lee in 20.01, Adrian Callaghan in 21.13 and Richard Raymond in 22.50. Brian McBride’s time of 22.53 gave him 1st place in the M65 category. The race winner was Eric Keoch, of Project Africa, in a very fast time of 14.35.
LAC runners were to the fore in Tuesday evening’s Drumoghill 5K. The race was won by Foyle Valley AC’s James Brown in 17.15 and the next 3 runners were all from LAC. Brian Ferry finished in 18.07, Aidan McKenna in 18.08 and Kevin Ferry in 18.40.
The 4th LAC male runner, Aidrian Callaghan, was also a top 10 finisher. His time was 19.42. Patricia McKenna had a fine run and came home in 24.53. She was the leading F40 runner.
John Hughes ran in Friday evening’s Donegal Town 5K and finished in 20.24. Finn Valley AC’s John McElhill was the race winner in 17.00.
On Saturday, Danny Mooney had a sensational run in the 1 mile race, which was the feature event, at the Irish Miler’s Club meeting in Belfast. Danny put on a strong display of front running to leave all his rivals, including highly rated Kenyan Dan Tanui, trailing in his wake. Danny’s time was 4.06.88, which left him 8 seconds clear of his nearest challenger, Conall Kirk of Annadale Striders. Tanui was 3rd.
Raymond Birch celebrated his 39th birthday in style on Sunday by transferring his most impressive road form to the track. He was 2nd in the 1500m at the Paddy O’Donnell Memorial Meeting which was held at Templemore Sports Complex, Derry. Raymond’s time was a superb 4.35.
Aidan McKenna had an excellent run in the Killyclogher 10K on Saturday. On a very hot day, he recorded a time of 40.48, which gave him 3rd place in a very tough M45 category. The race winner was Foyle Valley AC’s Keith Shiels in 32.21.
Ivan Toner made a welcome return to competive running in his local event, the Drumman National School 5K. The ‘King of the Donegal Grand Prix’ throughout this decade was 2nd in a fine time of 17.25. Milford AC’s endurance specialist, Marty Lynch, illustrated his versatility by winning the race in 17.16.
Stephen Shiels and Noel Lynch both travelled to the Scottish capital to run in Sunday’s Edinburgh Marathon. Both performed well with Stephen clocking 3.42.12 and Noel 3.45.24. The Marathon winner was Joel Kipemboi Kiptoo in 2.13. The Kenyan, who has a marathon PB of 2.08.33, finished 8 minutes clear of the field.
In Saturday morning’s Letterkenny parkrun, Liam Ferry kept up his good form. He was 3rd across the line in 20.03. Cathal Roarty’s time of 23.44 meant that he was the 1st M50+ and James McBride was the leading M65 finisher in 24.13. Philip O’Hare was 1st in 19.10.
Everyone in Letterkenny Athletic Club, and in the wider athletics community, was delighted at the news that our legendary Olympian, Danny McDaid, is to receive the Freedom of Donegal. The Glenswilly man competed in the Marathon at the 1972 Munich Olympics and the 1976 Montreal Olympics. In addition, he represented Ireland in 9 World Cross Country Championships. In the 1979 Championship in Limerick, he helped Ireland to a silver medal.
Hugh Gallagher.
Letterkenny AC PRO.
