Ivan Toner continued on the winning trail during the week. On Tuesday evening, Ivan took first place in the Abbey Village 5K in a time of 16.39. Just 48 hours later, Ivan won the St Paul’s, Ramelton, 5K when he ran more than half a minute faster than he had done in Kilmacrenan.
Martin Devenney was the second LAC finisher in Kilmacrenan in a time of 18.16. Monica McGranaghan had a fine performance and her time of 19.24 gave her victory in the women’s race. Frank Pinder’s time was 21.52. Noreen McGettigan was just 1 second behind Frank and was the 3rd woman home.
Margaret Shiels’ time was 23.06.
Both LAC runners in the 5K in Ramelton were at the sharp end of the race. Ivan Toner’s time of 16.05 gave him victory and Liam Doherty took 3rd place in a time of 17.50.
Ciaran Doherty made in 3 wins for LAC during the week with a superb run in Friday evening’s Churchill Fair 5K. Ciaran ran a very fast time of 15.11. Club Captain, Raymond Birch, continued his excellent form and he notched up a PB when he clocked 16.03 to finish 3rd. Darren Price illustrated again the tremendous comeback he has made from back surgery. He had a top 10 finish in 17.56.
Barry Mackey continued on his PB quest. Despite being 55, Barry gained his 4th 5K PB inside a month when he ran a time of 18.00 to take 1st place in the M50 category. A month ago, on June 20th, Barry lowered his PB to 18.27 in Glenswilly. He then gained new PBs on 3 consecutive Fridays- 18.10 in Cranford, 18.05 in Rathmullen and now 18.00. That represents an improvement of 2.5% inside a month.
Paul Toner finished in 18.38, Mark Nee in 19.08, John Hughes in 19.35, Paul McMonagle in 20.10, Stephen Shiels in 20.20, Ciaran Liddy in 21.15, James Pat McDaid in 21.17 and Frank Pinder in 21.58.
Sheila Regan, back from the USA for her annual holiday, was the 2nd woman in 21.23. The next woman was Noreen McGettigan in 21.34.
Richard Raymond continued his success in the M60 category and he was 2nd in 22.14. Margaret Shiels’ time was 22.51. M60 runner, Brian Gallagher, finished in 23.53. Claire Price’s time was 33.18.
Aidan McKenna had an excellent run in Saturday’s ‘Blayney Rockets 10 Mile’ race, which was held in Castleblayney, Co Monaghan. Aidan’s time was 1.05.55, which gave him a top 20 finish and 2nd place in the M45 category. The race winner was Eskander Turki, of Monaghan Town Runners, whose time was 54.29.
After finishing in 2nd place in the Letterkenny parkrun in each of the previous 2 weeks, Martin Gormley won last Saturday’s parkrun. Martin’s time of 19.30 gave him his 5th win in the event. Liam Ferry, who had been 3rd in each of the 2 previous weeks, also went 1 better. He was 2nd in 19.59. Regular competitor, Peter McLean, was the leading M55 runner in 26.31.
On Sunday July 28th, Letterkenny AC’s annual 15K will take place at 11.30am. The entry fee is €15 and registration, as well as changing, presentation and refreshments will take place at Aura Leisure Centre. There will be an excellent quality Technical ‘T’ shirt for all competitors and there is a generous prize list. The chip timing will be provided by North West Timing, which guarantees a speedy, efficient service. This event is ideal preparation for anyone contemplating a half marathon or marathon in the coming months. The distance is also a worthwhile challenge in its own right. The 15K distance is now run rarely anywhere in Ireland. It was, for a brief period, a distance over which a National Championship race was run in Ireland, between 1990-92. The club is grateful to the Station House Hotel who, once again, are the main sponsor.
Letterkenny AC wishes to extend deepest sympathies to Louise Finnegan and her family on the death of her mother, Sue McCormack (nee O’Donnell). Sue, from Glencar and formerly The Rosses, had, over the years, dedicated large amounts of her time to Letterkenny AC.
Sue McCormack R.I.P.
Hugh Gallagher.
Letterkenny AC PRO.
