Rain or shine – the 2023 Donegal Half Marathon was a morning of major victories and personal achievements.
Four hundred participants took part in the 21.09km race in Letterkenny this morning.
Yared Derese of Carrick Aces AC, set a new course record of 1:07:22, taking two and a half minutes off the previous course record of 1:09:51 that was set by Raheny’s Freddy Keron Sittuk in 2015. Second in the event was Shane O’Donnell from Rosses AC in 1:13:38, with Letterkenny AC’s Philip McHugh third in 1:15:28.
Helen McCready from Rosses AC, winner of the senior women’s title in 2022, made a successful defence of her crown when taking the victory in 1:21:54. Runner-up was Finn Valley’s Natasha Kelly in 1:24:32, with Ciara Cunningham of Tir Chonaill AC third in 1:24:36.
Catch up on the action with this picture special by North West Newspix:

Helen McCready from Rosses AC, winner of the senior women’s title in 2022, made a successful defence of her crown when taking the victory in 1:21:54.

Yared Derese set a new course record in today’s Donegal Half Marathon in Letterkenny when he cruised to victory in a time of 1:07:22.

Karl Doherty competing in the Donegal Half Marathon. (NW Newspix)

Some of the runners who participated in the Donegal Half Marathon around a wet Letterkenny. (NW Newspix)

Some of the runners who participated in the Donegal Half Marathon around a wet Letterkenny. (NW Newspix)

Some of the runners who participated in the Donegal Half Marathon around a wet Letterkenny. (NW Newspix)

Some of the runners who participated in the Donegal Half Marathon around a wet Letterkenny. (NW Newspix)

Some of the runners who participated in the Donegal Half Marathon. (NW Newspix)

Some of the runners incliuding Nancy McNamee (401) who participated in the Donegal Half Marathon around a wet Letterkenny. (NW Newspix)

Some of the runners who participated in the Donegal Half Marathon. (NW Newspix)

Eoghan Megannety participating in the Donegal Half Marathon. (NW Newspix)

Runners at the start of the Donegal Half Marathon. (NW Newspix)