It has been another busy period for Lifford-Strabane AC athletes, including one member who completed the Stirling Marathon in Scotland, finishing his 25th marathon.
On May 16, racing action commenced at the extremely popular Interfirms 5K in Letterkenny. Lifford Strabane AC was represented by two senior male athletes both finishing in superb times only just two days after both athletes having a terrific run at Strabane Lifford Half Marathon. Paul Dillion crossed the finish line in 17:56 & David McNulty ran 19:12 for the 5k distance.
On May 18, six Lifford Strabane AC athletes were among the 135 runners who took to the start line of Foyle Valleys annual 5 mile classic “Wilkies Run 5 miler”.
This accurately measured race course is reportedly flat and fast and takes place along the cycle path alongside the River Foyle at Brandywell. First club finisher and first in the M50+ Category was Bill Duncan in a fantastic time of 30:15, Paddy Tourish was next home for the club in 34:44, Dominic Carlin finished in a time of 35:22, Chris Cuskelly 35:59, Paul McNamee 36:07 & Liam Daly 39:44.
Sunday 21 May, the club had 3 senior club members in action all taking in different race venues and distances.
Lifford Strabane AC senior female athlete Denise Langan represented the club at the Joe Houston Memorial 5K, Cappry, Lifford.
Denise was among 113 runner/walkers finishing in a time of 31:23.
Senior male athlete Dominic Carlin was in action again. Dominic was among the 37 runners who took on the Gartan half marathon, Letterkenny. The half marathon route started on Gartan Estate, looped around Gartan Lough and included a track climb on the Lough Inishagh Track before finishing on Gartan Estate. Lifford Strabane AC athlete Carlin finished in a time of 1:49:46.
The club’s final athlete in action was one of Lifford Strabane AC’s accomplished marathoner runners Gerard Campbell taking on his 25th marathon to date.
Gerard travelled to Scotland to take part in the Stirling Marathon which saw 6500 runners take to the starting line including Olympic royalty the legendary Liz McColgan and Zola Budd.
This unique marathon started at Blair Drummond Safari Park, winding through the stunning Stirlingshire countryside, passing landmarks including Doune Castle, the National Wallace Monument & Bridge of Allan before enjoying a fantastic circuit of the City Centre to finish beneath the imposing ramparts of Stirling Castle. Gerard chased both ladies (Zola & Liz) around the course to finish in a fantastic time of 3:25:10 & being the gentleman that he is let both ladies cross the finish line ahead of him Zola Budd in 3:12:24 & Liz McColgan 3:18:33.
Well done to all our juvenile athletes who also had a very busy week competing at Finn Valley, Wednesday 17th May and at The Ulster Schools Championships on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th May.
Well done to all who competed over the course of the week. Congratulations to the athletes that ran personal bests and category winners.
The club will host our Senior Meet on Thursday 25th May. Also Javelin for U13+ and Hammer for U14+. It would be great to see our senior athletes giving these track events a go – races will be graded so therefore you will be competing against athletes of like ability. Full details available on our Facebook page.
Another date for your diaries is the first of our 5k races Carrigans 5K, Wednesday June 7th. Race commencing at 7:30pm
Training continues for juvenile athletes Monday & Wednesday 6:30pm, Adult training Tuesday & Thursday 6:45pm. Lifford Strabane AC caters for all abilities. All new members welcomed.
