355 runners completed the Donegal Half Maraton on Sunday morning in conditions that were much better than those 'enjoyed' in most parts of Ireland. Letterkenny Athletic Club runners dominated the race in a manner similar to that displayed all summer in the shorter races. Ciaran McGonagle won the race in 1.14.04, with last year's winner, Pauric Breslin, 3rd in 1.16.19.
Patrick Brennan's good form continued and he crossed the line in 1.24.14. Liam Ferry clocked 1.31.55, Liam Doherty 1.32.08, Ciaran O'Donnell 1.32.54, Darren Beecroft 1.34.04, , Peter Hamilton 1.35.52 and Paul McMonagle 1.37.23.
LAC's American based athlete, Sheila Reagan, was 3rd in the women's race in a time of 1.37.59. Stephen Shields finished in 1.38.41, Pol MacGiolla Bhride in 1.39.26, Adrian Callaghan in 1.41.42, Marian Kerr in 1.45.40, Gerard Mullen in 1.47.56 and Margaret Shiels in 1.50.21.
James McBride was 2nd in the M60 category in 1.53.35. Maura O'Grady clocked 1.54.59, Brian Gallagher 2.05.33, Linda Cronin 2.10.26 and Hazel McFadden 2.13.04.
71 runners completed the Donegal Full Marathon. The winner was Colum Gaile of Albertville Harriers whose time of 2.44.14 saw him finish 20 minutes clear of his closest rival.
2 Letterkenny AC runners took part in Monday's Doochary Festival 5K and both were among the prizes. Martin Gormley was 5th overall and first in the M40 category in a time of 19.24. The race winner was Tipperary man, Gary Scully of Nenagh Olympic, who clocked 17.20. Sinead Peoples' time of 22.07 gave her first place in the senior women's race.
24 hours later, the Grand Prix action moved east, to the Manorcunningham 5K; once again, LAC runners were to the fore when the prizes were being distributed. Ivan Toner, in 5th place overall, was once again the first LAC runner across the line. His time of 16.35 gave him 2nd place in the M40 category. Inishowen AC's David McMenamin was the race winner in 16.08. Young David Smith was the first Junior in 17.29. Barry Mackey's phenomenally successful summer continued and he was the winner of the M50 prize in 19.08. Long serving LAC man, Jimmy Gildea, finished in 34.27.
Danny Mooney and Annmarie McGlynn both travelled to the north west of England in midweek, where they ran in Wednesday evening's Manchester International Track Meeting. Danny finished 5th in the 3000m in 8.39.18. The race winner was Luke Traynor of Scottish club, Giffnock North, in 8.24.03. Annmarie also claimed 5th place in her 3000m in a time of 9.23.67, with the winner being Verity Ockenden (Swansea) in 9.10.70.
Brockagh was the setting on a very wet Friday evening for the Scoil Taobhoige 6K. The race was over a distance rarely run in Ireland or, indeed, anywhere. Martin Gormley was 1st in the M50 category in a time of 23.30. The race winner was Nenagh Olympic AC's Gary Scully in 21.02.
Aidan McKenna had a fine run in Saturday's Clones Credit Union 5K in Co Monaghan. Aidan finished in 18. Aidan's M40 category was highly competitive with 10 of the top 20 runners being in the M40 group. He was the 7th M40 finisher and 13th overall. Alan Clarke, of Blayney Rockets AC, won the race in 17.25.
Hugh Gallagher.
LAC PRO.
