ATHLETES in Donegal can compete under a unique new format rolled out this weekend.
Donegal will be under Level 3 restrictions for the next three weeks, until October 16 at least.
Picture: Coach Dermot McGranaghan watches on at hurdler Joseph Gillespie of Finn Valley Athletic Club during a training session at the Finn Valley Centre. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Some events, including a Cross-Country event at Finn Valley AC tomorrow and a Throws Pentathlon at the Stranorlar-based club next month, have been postponed.
However, Finn Valley AC coach Dermot McGranaghan, a regional development officer with Athletics Ireland, has unveiled a new challenge for Donegal athletes – the Donegal Lockdown Cross-Country Inter-Club Challenge.
Each club is to set up a course of 500m in distance and run ‘trials’ at a training night between October 5 and 11.
Athletes are to be timed and results submitted to Dermot. There will be a medal for the first three in each club’s race as well as a medal for the top six in Donegal and the winning team will also be acknowledged.
“It’s very important that we keep our young athletes active during these difficult times,” Dermot told Donegal Daily/Donegal Sport Hub.
“It has been a very difficult and challenging year for athletes with national championships called off and ongoing uncertainty in terms of what will happen over the coming weeks and months.
“This challenge is just something to help our clubs and our athletes to stay active with an element of competitiveness, which is so important to their development as athletes.
“I would urge all clubs in Donegal to take part in what will also be a fun challenge for their members”
There are ‘races’ for Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 athletes.
