Almost 200 brave runners took on hostile weather conditions on Wednesday night, as they supported Boyd Robinson’s welcome initiative, the ‘Winter Woolie Warmer 5K.’
The proceeds went to the ‘We Care Letterkenny Food Bank.’ Boyd organised the event on behalf of The Letterkenny Rotary Club.
Nakita Burke showed her remarkable powers of recovery by running 16.44, just 3 days after her heroics in the National Cross Country Championship, where she had helped the Letterkenny Athletic Club team to first place. Nakita was the first woman and finished 6th overall.
The names of Michael Harkin and Eimear Gormley have become synonymous with PBs and Wednesday night was no different as their astonishing run of PBs continued. Michael achieved his first ever sub 18.00 5K with a time of 17.46.
Eimear’s time of 18.25 was a PB and gave her 3rd place in the women’s race. Pauric Boyle, who recently married Eimear, finished in 18.34.
Liam Ferry had a fine run and finished in 19.00. Monica McGranaghan’s time of 19.01 gave her 1st place in the F40 category. Mark McFadden clocked 19.51, Michael Galvin 19.55, Denis Shiels 20.19, Kevin Ferry 20.55, Gary Price 21.14, Shaun Cannon 21.20, Keith Shiels 21.32 and Robert Kavanagh also 21.32.
Paul Sweeney crossed the line in 21.37, Fintan Smith in 21.43, John Mullen in 21.53, Dessie Shiels in 22.01, Garvin Mulligan in 22.06, Bryan Margey in 22.11 and Seamus Morrison in 22.24. Young Eoghain Duffy’s time was 22.26. Anthony Farren finished in 22.56.
Another young LAC runner, Darragh Duffy, clocked 23.01. Niamh McDaid’s time was 23.07 and Dara Dunne’s time was 24.40. Gerard Mullen crossed the line in 24.56.Paul McMonagle finished in 26.00.
Richard Raymond made a welcome return to competitive action. The Kerry man ran a highly creditable time of 26.00 in his first race since serious knee surgery several months ago. Young Molly Shiels finished in 28.15. Pat McKenna’s time was 28.51.
Pat Brady travelled to Dublin on Saturday, where he put on an excellent performance in the Clontarf Half Marathon. He was the leading runner in the M60 category in a time of 1.39.27. The winner of the half marathon was Andrew O’Neill, in 1.16.07.
Eimear Gormley showed that she had recovered from Wednesday night’s exertions by being first across the line in Saturday morning’s Letterkenny parkrun. Her time was 19.53. It is very rare for a woman to be the overall winner of the Letterkenny parkrun; Eimear is only the second. Nakita Burke has won the parkrun twice. Eimear’s time was the fastest of the 24 parkruns she has run to date. She has followed in her father, Martin’s footsteps. Martin has been the first finisher in the parkrun 5 times. History was also made when Pauric Boyle was the 2nd finisher, in 19.58. It was the first time that a husband and wife have been the first 2 finishers.
Liam Ferry was 3rd, and the leading M40 runner, in 20.16. Anthony Farren was the first M55 runner in a time of 23.29. John Doherty’s time was 25.21. Maura O’Grady’s time was 26.53; she was the leading M55 finisher.
Letterkenny AC’s very popular ‘Turkey Trot 5K’ will take place on Tuesday December 7th. The start time is 8.00pm. Details about online registration are available here or on the Letterkenny AC Facebook page. Turkeys will be won by the first 10 correct or nearest to predicted times.
Letterkenny Athletic Club would like to offer sincere condolences to Barry Mackey, and his family, following the recent death of his brother, David (Deace) in Co Cavan.
David Mackey, R.I.P.
