Letterkenny Athletic Club put on a very successful event, the Danny McDaid 15K, on Sunday. The rarely run distance attracted more than 200 runners.
The first runner home, in 50 minutes exactly, was Foyle Valley AC’s, Craig Simpson. The leading LAC runner was Philip McHugh who had a top 10 finish, in an excellent time of 55.06.
Two other LAC runners crossed the line in sub 60 minutes- Sean McFadden in 58.15 and Kevin Kelly in 58.42.
Kevin Ferry was 2nd in the M45 category in 1.00.14. Barry Mackey’s success in the M55 category continued; he won his category in 1.00.49. Monica McGranaghan continued her excellent form and she was the second woman in 1.01.47.
The winning woman was Helen McCready, Rosses AC. She is a sister of LAC athlete, Ciaran Doherty, and won in a time of 1.01.18.
Stephen Shiels clocked 1.05.26, Marie Boyle 1.05.29, Frank Pinder 1.06.27, John McFadden 1.07.37, John Hughes 1.07.38, Ciaran O’Donnell 1.08.44, Paul Harris 1.12.17, Noel Lynch 1.12.57, Ciaran Liddy 1.14.46, Adrian Callaghan 1.15.08, Margaret Shiels 1.18.09 and Mary Sweeney 1.22.10.
Letterkenny AC would like to thank the Race Stewards, whose hard work and attention to detail ensured the safety of runners and facilitated the smooth running of the event.
The club would also like to thank the Station House Hotel, for their continued and generous sponsorship of the event.
Letterkenny AC runners were to the fore in Friday evening’s Churchill 5K. In a close finish, Raymond Birch narrowly pipped clubmate, Ivan Toner. Raymond finished in 16.09 with Ivan a mere seven seconds behind.
Natasha Adams made a welcome, and impressive return to competitive action and easily won the women’s race in a time of 17.27. Dessie Shiels continued his recent impressive form and was 2nd in the M40 category in 18.24. Aidan McKenna’s time was 18.40.
Jane Toner had a fine run and was the F40 category winner in 21.03. John Anthony Mullen clocked 21.23 and his wife, Marie, won the F50 category in 22.19.
Several LAC runners completed the gruelling Milford and District Adventure Race (MAD) on Saturday.
Paul Lee, Pat Brady, Annroi Cheevers and Fin Begley all completed the event, which began with a run, followed by kayaking, cycling and finishing with another run.
Young Ronan Burke was the sole LAC runner in Saturday’s Letterkenny Parkrun. He was the 2nd JM11-14 runner in 30.08. First across the line was Glasgow visitor, John Melvin, in 19.49.
Letterkenny Athletic Club would like to offer sincere condolences to club runner, Richard Raymond, and his family, following the recent death of his brother, Tom.
Tom died in his native Tralee, Co Kerry.
Tom Raymond, R.I.P.
