Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
    • GAA

      McGee hopeful of being ready for key…

      5 hours ago

      GAA

      All smiles and sizzling sunshine at MacCumhaill…

      19 hours ago

      GAA

      “I’d swap all the compliments for a…

      20 hours ago

      GAA

      Signs of hope but gutsy Donegal comprehensively…

      21 hours ago

      Athletics

      Nakita and Theresa shine at VHI Women’s…

      1 day ago

      Athletics

      On your marks, get set for the…

      3 days ago

      Athletics

      ‘Special K’ for Finn Valley brothers on…

      1 week ago

      Athletics

      Letterkenny Athletics Club Notes

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Pic Special – Boxer Paddy McShane honoured…

      3 days ago

      Boxing

      New boxing club opens in west Donegal

      4 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Jason Quigley to headline iconic Madison Square…

      2 months ago

      Boxing

      Quigley remains focused despite late opponent change

      2 months ago

      Football

      Frustrated Harps fail to take advantage of…

      3 days ago

      Football

      Dunfanaghy Youths FC finally get their new…

      1 week ago

      Football

      Bonagee book a semi-final place in FAI…

      1 week ago

      Football

      Carn complete treble with dramatic Division Two…

      1 week ago

      GAA

      McGee hopeful of being ready for key…

      5 hours ago

      GAA

      All smiles and sizzling sunshine at MacCumhaill…

      19 hours ago

      GAA

      “I’d swap all the compliments for a…

      20 hours ago

      GAA

      Signs of hope but gutsy Donegal comprehensively…

      21 hours ago

      Golf

      Dunfanaghy golfers tee up for 24-hour fundraiser…

      6 days ago

      Golf

      Golf: Shaun lands top prize at Otway…

      2 weeks ago

      Golf

      Seán MacCumhaills Golf Classic returns on June…

      3 weeks ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club hosting Golf Classic on…

      3 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Hockey scoop Intermediate League title after…

      1 month ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe complete double with Intermediate Ulster…

      1 month ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe victorious in Linden Cup Final…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hard-fought win sees Raphoe close in on…

      3 months ago

      Hurling

      Disappointment as Donegal lose composure in Nickey…

      2 days ago

      GAA

      GAA Roundup: Good day for senior hurlers…

      1 month ago

      GAA

      Super win for Donegal hurlers in Nicky…

      1 month ago

      Hurling

      Brave Donegal U17 hurlers go down to…

      2 months ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny RFC beat Cavan to reach Gordon…

      2 months ago

      Rugby

      Sadhbh McGrath (18) to make senior Ireland…

      2 months ago

      Rugby

      Anne Scott receives IRFU Spirit of Rugby…

      3 months ago

      Rugby

      Free pizza! Six Nations fundraiser to float…

      3 months ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
Monday 23°CTuesday 22°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

  • News
  • Sport
    • GAA

      McGee hopeful of being ready for key…

      5 hours ago

      GAA

      All smiles and sizzling sunshine at MacCumhaill…

      19 hours ago

      GAA

      “I’d swap all the compliments for a…

      20 hours ago

      GAA

      Signs of hope but gutsy Donegal comprehensively…

      21 hours ago

      Athletics

      Nakita and Theresa shine at VHI Women’s…

      1 day ago

      Athletics

      On your marks, get set for the…

      3 days ago

      Athletics

      ‘Special K’ for Finn Valley brothers on…

      1 week ago

      Athletics

      Letterkenny Athletics Club Notes

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Pic Special – Boxer Paddy McShane honoured…

      3 days ago

      Boxing

      New boxing club opens in west Donegal

      4 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Jason Quigley to headline iconic Madison Square…

      2 months ago

      Boxing

      Quigley remains focused despite late opponent change

      2 months ago

      Football

      Frustrated Harps fail to take advantage of…

      3 days ago

      Football

      Dunfanaghy Youths FC finally get their new…

      1 week ago

      Football

      Bonagee book a semi-final place in FAI…

      1 week ago

      Football

      Carn complete treble with dramatic Division Two…

      1 week ago

      GAA

      McGee hopeful of being ready for key…

      5 hours ago

      GAA

      All smiles and sizzling sunshine at MacCumhaill…

      19 hours ago

      GAA

      “I’d swap all the compliments for a…

      20 hours ago

      GAA

      Signs of hope but gutsy Donegal comprehensively…

      21 hours ago

      Golf

      Dunfanaghy golfers tee up for 24-hour fundraiser…

      6 days ago

      Golf

      Golf: Shaun lands top prize at Otway…

      2 weeks ago

      Golf

      Seán MacCumhaills Golf Classic returns on June…

      3 weeks ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club hosting Golf Classic on…

      3 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Hockey scoop Intermediate League title after…

      1 month ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe complete double with Intermediate Ulster…

      1 month ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe victorious in Linden Cup Final…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hard-fought win sees Raphoe close in on…

      3 months ago

      Hurling

      Disappointment as Donegal lose composure in Nickey…

      2 days ago

      GAA

      GAA Roundup: Good day for senior hurlers…

      1 month ago

      GAA

      Super win for Donegal hurlers in Nicky…

      1 month ago

      Hurling

      Brave Donegal U17 hurlers go down to…

      2 months ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny RFC beat Cavan to reach Gordon…

      2 months ago

      Rugby

      Sadhbh McGrath (18) to make senior Ireland…

      2 months ago

      Rugby

      Anne Scott receives IRFU Spirit of Rugby…

      3 months ago

      Rugby

      Free pizza! Six Nations fundraiser to float…

      3 months ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
AthleticsLead StoriesSport Lead

Irish athletics legend Sonia O’Sullivan to compete in popular Donegal race

written by Chris McNulty February 7, 2020
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

IRELAND’S greatest ever athlete, Sonia O’Sullivan, will be among the competitors at the 2020 Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge, in association with Specsavers, Letterkenny.

Twenty years after Irish athletics icon O’Sullivan won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, the Cobh woman will take part in the scenic 10-mile race in Donegal on Easter Saturday, April 11.

O’Sullivan, a former World and European gold medalist, will spend Easter weekend in Donegal, taking in the 11th annual Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge.

The Race Director is former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle, who worked with O’Sullivan on that magical Monday in Sydney 20 years ago when she won the 5000m silver.

“I will be home in Cobh for my own 10-mile race on April 5,” O’Sullivan said from Australian base in Melbourne.

“Then, I am really looking forward to visit Donegal, a county I have never foot in, with the bonus of running in the Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge.

“I’m excited to get a chance to race in such a lovely part of the world and to catching up with Patsy again. Patsy was with me for some of my most memorable days, good and bad, and it’s great that we’ll get a chance to catch up again.

Sonia O’Sullivan after winning silver at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney

“I’m delighted to have accepted the offer to take part in the Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge. It’s brilliant that I can work it into my schedule.”

Online entry is already open for the Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge here: https://www.visitballyliffin.com/events/ballyliffin-coastal-challenge-2020-registration/

The much sought after Ballyliffin medallion will celebrate the 20th anniversary of O’Sullivan’s Olympic silver medal and organisers expect to have a full entry list. The entry is limited to 1,500 participants.

“Of all the athletes I ever managed, Sonia was the best, without question,” McGonagle, who managed the Irish team at four Olympic Games, said.

“Sonia was a gem. This is a unique fillip for the event, particularly as it comes 20 years after Sonia won the silver medal in Sydney. She won on a never-to-be-forgotten night in front of 120,000 people. 

“Sonia and I go back a long way and it is a fabulous boost for the Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge that we will have such athletics royalty in our midst.”

Sonia O’Sullivan with Patsy McGonagle after winning silver at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney

O’Sullivan was recently inducted into the Athletics Ireland Hall of Fame. A gold medalist at the 1995 World Championships, her 2000m world record of 5.25.36 stood until 2017. 

Regarded as the best athlete to ever compete for Ireland, O’Sullivan won 16 medals at World and European levels.

The Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge is one of the most scenic races in Ireland. 

The final two miles are run across Pollan Beach, with Malin Head and the Five Finger Strand a stunning backdrop as participants follow the route through the Isle of Doagh.

McGonagle added: “Specsavers, Letterkenny have come on board this year as our main sponsor and we are indebted to Paul O’Donoghue and his team for their support. 

Competitors in the Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge running on Pollan Beach

“We are excited and honoured that an Irish sporting icon of the stature of Sonia O’Sullivan should agree to run our event and the general reaction is one of excitement.”

The Irish athletics legend hosts the Sonia O’Sullivan Cobh 10 on Sunday, April 5. To register for this event, click here: https://register.primoevents.com/ps/event/SoniaOSullivanCobh102020

You can register to compete in the Ballyliffin International Coastal Challenge here: https://www.visitballyliffin.com/events/ballyliffin-coastal-challenge-2020-registration/

Irish athletics legend Sonia O’Sullivan to compete in popular Donegal race was last modified: February 7th, 2020 by Chris McNulty
FacebookTweetLinkedInPrint

Tags:
2000 Olympic GamesathleticsBallyliffinBallyliffin International Coastal ChallengeCobhFinn Valley ACInishowenpatsy mcgonagleSonia O'Sullivansydney
Chris McNulty

Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Former Donegal star Brendan giving back with...

3 hours ago

Letterkenny man charged with harassing and threatening...

7 hours ago

Signs of hope but gutsy Donegal comprehensively...

21 hours ago

Nakita and Theresa shine at VHI Women’s...

1 day ago

Tributes flow as Fr Paddy says his...

1 day ago

“We are well capable of getting something...

1 day ago

‘I thought that life was over, it...

2 days ago

Sunshine keeps spirits bright as Relay for...

2 days ago

Disappointment as Donegal lose composure in Nickey...

2 days ago

Donegal man found guilty over Strokestown attack

3 days ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

MOST POPULAR

Donegal County Council
Advertisement

Sport Hub

  • Stay up to date with Donegal Sport Hub on Facebook

    1 year ago
  • Donegal links rank in Top 100 Golf Courses in the World

    1 year ago
  • Bundoran 10 Event set for March 2022

    1 year ago
See More

Donegal Woman

    See More

    Columnists

    Motoring - Brian McDaid

    DD Motoring: Here comes the Rotaflora!

    1 day ago

    Group Holidays - Travel Department

    Travel: Seven amazing reasons to visit Northern Cyprus & Cyprus

    4 days ago

    Pet Corner with Gary's Pet World - Michelle Kelly

    DD Pet Corner: Top tips to keep your dog safe at the beach

    4 days ago

    Career Advice - Rory White

    Leaving Cert Countdown: Tips for exam success

    1 week ago

    Healthy Living - Sorcha McElchar

    Burns overcomes challenge of Donegal man Erskine to become GAA President

    3 months ago

    See All Columnists
    Advertisement
    Donegal Daily Jobs

    Donegal Woman

      See More

      Read More

      • News
      • Sport
      • Courts
      • Jobs
      • Sales & Services
      • Obituaries
      • Features
      • Business
      • Politics
      • Council News

      Information

      • Contact Us
      • About
      • Advertise WIth Us
      • Privacy Policy
      • Disclaimer
      • Terms & Conditions

      Our Sites

      Donegal Woman
      Donegal Woman
      Donegal Daily

      © 2023 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
      Website by owenod


      Back To Top.