LETTERKENNY AC NEWS: On Friday night, Pauric Breslin travelled to Killybegs and had another victory. He ran 16.28 in the Niall Mor National School 5K to come home almost 2 minutes ahead of 2nd placed runner, David Conwell.
On Saturday, Marie Boyle showed clearly that her Dublin Marathon training is paying off when she achieved a PB after running 1.33.54 in the Athlone half marathon. The journey to the Midlands was well worthwhile for Marie, who still has several weeks to continue her build up to Dublin.
In the Donegal 5K road championship in Buncrana on Sunday, Letterkenny AC enjoyed great success, at individual and team level. Ciaran Doherty was the first LAC runner across the line. His time of 15.28 gave him second place. The winner was City of Derry’s Declan Reed in 15.19.
Anthony Doherty had an excellent time of 16.09, which gave him 4th place. The highly consistent performer, Ivan Toner, was the next LAC runner. His time was 16.40. Martin Dooley crossed the line in 17.32.
This quartet of LAC runners combined to ensure that the club came first in the senior mens’ team prize. The club had more than 2 minutes to spare over 2nd placed Finn Valley.
Liam Doherty had a good run and finished in 17.34.
Fionnuala Diver’s dominance of women’s running in Donegal continued. Her time of 18.17 gave her 1st place in the women’s race. Paul Cosgrove had a sub 19 minute run and clocked 18.52. Noeleen Scanlan’s fine form continued and she was 2nd in the women’s race.
Barry Mackey, who rarely misses a race anywhere in Donegal, will be pleased to have returned to sub 20 minute form with a time of 19.38.
Jane Toner’s time of 20.32 gave her first place in the F35 category. Second F35 was Irene McFadden in 20.56. Jane and Irene combined with Noeleen Scanlan and Fionnuala Diver to earn the club first prize in the senior women’s team event. Their aggregate time of 1.19.11 gave them more than 12 minutes to spare over 2nd placed team, Inishowen AC.
All 4 of these ladies are primary school teachers and showed that their recent return to work, after the long summer break, has done nothing to diminish the excellent form they showed all summer.
Richard Raymond extended his excellent summer form into the autumn. His time of 21.51 gave him 2nd place in the M60 category. The first M60 was City of Derry’s Peter Lilburn. He is one of the country’s top M60 performers and clocked 18.37.
Richard was closely followed by fellow M60 LAC runner, Jimmy McBride. Jimmy, who has recently retired from work, ran 22.06. He has the good wishes of all at LAC for a long and happy retirement.
Richard and Jimmy combined with Barry Mackey and Paul Cosgrove to gain 1st place for the club in M50+ team prize.
Their aggregate time was 1.22.25. Marian Kerr’s consistent form continued and she crossed the line in 22.18. Danny Sharkey finished in 23.15.
