The first three women across the finish line in the Riverine 10K road race were Catherine Whoriskey 2nd, Ann-Marie Mc Glynn 1st and Denise Mc Elhone 3rd. Pic.: Gary Foy
The shone brightly for the inaugural Riverine 10K Road Race and 5K Walk, events which straddled both sides of the border.
Nearly 250 runners and walkers took to the streets of Lifford and Strabane for this first cross border/cross community road race a unique event to this part of the country.
With bonus prizes for the first man to break 32 minutes and first woman to break 36 minutes, the fact that both times were shattered showed the true quality of the race on what everyone generally agreed was a fast flat course.
Whether it was at the business end of the race or merely the taking part, the mood at the end was hugely positive.
Foyle Valley’s Keith Shiels meant business straight from the whistle and was out on his own for nearly the full 10km. Shiels was nearly 2 minutes clear of his nearest rival Pius McIntyre (33.14), with Shiels coming home in an impressive 31.21. It was a Foyle Valley 1,2,3 with Chris McGuinness finishing in third in 33.35.
In the women’s race, Lifford AC’s Ann Marie McGlynn followed up last weeks silver medal on the track in the national 5,000m with a great run to finish in 35.24. City of Derry’s Catherine Whoriskey came home second in 39.03, with Foyle Valley’s Denise McElhone third in 40.48.
The race itself was organised under the Reconciliation Through the Riverine Programme, a joint initiative managed by Donegal County Council and Strabane District Council and funded by the International Fund for Ireland. The race was started by Strabane District Council’s Michelle McMacken alongside local Councillor Gerry Crawford and Donegal County Council’s Eamon Browne. Sport, and especially the sport of athletics has the power to break down barriers and promote the values of tolerance and respect for fellow athletes. The atmosphere among the participants before, during and after the race, as well as the buzz among spectators around the course showed a great community spirit on both sides of the border.
The logistics of race organisation meant a huge cross border effort and input from a lot of people. Thanks to everyone who helped out in any way. A huge thanks to those who assisted with stewarding both the race and the walk, without whom the event would not have gone ahead. To Sgt Maurice Doyle and local officers from An Garda Siochana, Ricky McClelland, Ryan Jennings and local PSNI officers who provided great support on the Strabane side, the Civil Defence, St John’s Ambulance, the GAA club for car parking, Catherine Anne Kelly, Martina McGroarty and Eamon Browne from Donegal County Council, local residents on both sides of the border for their support and co-operation, Dudie Gallen and Strabane Catering, Elaine McGinley from Borderloo Hire, Brian Kelly from McElhinney Stores, Oliver and Connor McCullough for their help with chip timing, Gary Foy for photography, Donegal Athletics Board’s Herbie McDaid, and to all club personnel for their help with the race.
Following the outstanding success of this race, the Lifford club has now set a benchmark upon which future cross border races and co-operation can be built.
The first three men across the finish line, completing a clean sweep for Foyle Valley AC at the Riverine 10K road race in Lifford, were Pius Mc Intyre 2nd, Keith Shiels 1st and Chris Mc Guinness 3rd. Pic.: Gary Foy
