A large turnout of 239 runners last Friday was a fitting tribute to Jimmy Shiels, the very popular Finn Valley AC runner who sadly died in November 2017.
The Jimmy Shiels Memorial 10K was held in Jimmy’s native St Johnston.
All funds raised went to Letterkenny University Hospital’s Oncology Department and to the Letterkenny Hospice.
The first runner across the line was City of Derry Spartans’ Conor Bradley in a fast time of 31.18.
His training partner, Danny Mooney, was the first Letterkenny AC runner home in a time of 33.30.
Nakita Burke had an astounding race and her time of 35.41 represented yet another personal best for the in-form National School teacher.
Kevin Kelly clocked 37.28 and Martin Devenney’s time of 37.40 showed that Martin, also from St Johnston, is returning to top form.
Darren Price showed that he has made an excellent return to form following back surgery. His time was 38.32.
Barry Mackey continued his recent, impressive form when he scooped the M55 first-place prize with a time of 38.56.
Pat Brady has also been displaying excellent form, which he continued when he was third in the M55 category in 39.53.
Paul Cosgrove clocked 41.00, John Hughes 41.15, Adrian Callaghan 41.27, Stephen Shiels 41.29, John McFadden 41.41 and Paul Lee 43.08.
Kevin Greenan took first prize in the M60 category in 44.19 and the very consistent Richard Raymond was second in the same category in 45.09.
Deirdre Diver was the third Senior Woman in 45.11 and Marie Boyle was the next woman home in 45.17. Gerard Mullen’s time was 47.22.
Kevin Toner was a welcome runner and took part in his first 10K since a hip operation a couple of years ago. Kevin’s time was 49.19 and he was the leading M70 runner.
One of the highlights of Jimmy’s running career came in November 2006, when he was a member of the victorious Irish M60 team at Falkirk, Central Scotland, in the five Nations Cross Country International.
Kevin Toner and Jimmy Shiels comprised 50% of the four-man Irish gold medal-winning team that day when they defeated very strong English, Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish teams.
Andrea Killoran and Paul Toner both finished in 52.05.
On a personal level, Hugh Gallagher’s first meeting Jimmy was in August 1989.
He had just completed his first ever Irish race, the Traigh-A-Loch 10K, in the northern Donegal peninsula of Fanad.
He was third and was reasonably satisfied. Another runner was talking to Hugh after the finish and said to me, “Do you see that man with the moustache and wearing the Finn Valley valley vest? He won the race and he’s 43.” As a ‘youngster’ of 35 at the time, Hugh felt a bit deflated at being so far behind someone 8 years older than me.
Ciaran Doherty showed on Friday that he is capable of defeating the world’s top M40 athletes.
He won the Bronze medal in a very tough M40 3000m Steeplechase at the World Masters’ Track and Field Championships in Malaga. Ciaran’s time was 9.28.30.
Kenyan, Eliud Kiriu, was the winner in 9.09.14. Ciaran had warmed up impressively for the event. five days earlier, he won the ‘Little Luna’ 5K in Sligo in a superb time of 15.10. Making it a family double, Ciaran’s wife, Teresa (McGloin), Finn Valley AC, was the second runner home in Sligo.
Aidan McKenna made the long journey to the North East of England to take part in Sunday’s Great North Run. The half marathon is one of the world’s iconic road races. Aidan’s journey was worthwhile as he clocked 1.36.46. He was 1258th overall, placing him inside the leading 4% of finishers.
He was the 137th M45 runner, which put him comfortably inside the top 10% in his age group. Aidan was also 8th out of the large number of 161 Irish runners, putting him ahead of 95% of his fellow Irish runners.
The race winner was Mo Farah, who dipped under the much sought after 60-minute mark. His time of 59.27 worked out at an astonishing average of 4minute 32sseconds for the 13.1 miles.
Martin Gormley continued his recent good form in the Letterkenny park run. Martin was third in his 27th outing. His time of 19.39 also saw him finish as the leading M50 runner.
Park run regular, Peter McLean clocked 26.36 and was the second M55 runner.
Young Aoibhinn Ward ran her first ever Park run in 28.12 and was the leading JW11-14 runner.
Cathal Roarty showed his powers of endurance in the ‘Ironman’ Triathlon in Wales.
He completed the energy-sapping event, which comprised a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile cycle and a full marathon, in a time of 13hrs49m43s.
Letterkenny Athletic Club wishes to express sincere condolences to Bernie Walsh and family, following the recent death of her mother, Mary. Mary Gordon, R.I.P.
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