Letterkenny Athletics Club Notes:
Masters 35 Relay
Letterkenny Athletic Club secured a commanding win in the National Masters over 35 relay on Sunday afternoon. The three-man squad of McGinley, Mooney and Grennan demonstrated exceptional pacing and tactical awareness to outrun reigning champions, Raheny Shamrock AC.
With a traditional relay format, one mile – two mile – one mile, Eoghan McGinley set the tone for Letterkenny with a blistering opening mile, clocking an impressive 4:53 before smoothly handing over to Danny Mooney for the crucial second leg. Mooney, tasked with a challenging two-mile stretch, found himself in an intense battle with Raheny’s Kieran Kelly. The two runners matched stride for stride throughout the leg, with Kelly ultimately edging Mooney by the narrowest of margins, just one second. Mooney completed his two-mile segment in 9.23, keeping Letterkenny firmly in contention.
Mark Grennan, Danny Mooney, Eoghain McGinley top of the podium
The final exchange saw Mark Grennan go head-to-head with 2016 Rio Olympian, Mick Clohisey. Grennan produced what was arguably the performance of the day, blazing through his mile in a remarkable 4:38. Clohisey starting with a slight advantage over Mark, mid way through the leg Mark took the lead and in the end had created a 22 seconds gap when he crossed the finish line, securing the victory for Letterkenny AC with a new national record of 18:53.
LAC had two over 50s men teams compete in the National Relay Championships. Both over-50s men’s teams delivered strong performances against tough competition from across the country.
Mens o50 teams.
Back row L-R, Barry Mackey, Paul Toner, Michael Mooney
Front row L-R, Mark Nee, DB Shields, Ciaran O’Donnell
The Letterkenny A.C. M50+ A team secured an impressive 9th place finish overall, showcasing the depth of talent within the club’s masters division. Paul Toner set a blistering pace as the lead runner, completing his leg in just 5:45. Barry Mackey maintained the momentum with a solid second leg, before Mark Nee brought the team home with a powerful 6:03 final leg, resulting in a combined time of 24:17.
Not to be outdone, Letterkenny’s B team claimed a respectable 12th place finish, highlighting the club’s impressive depth in the veteran categories. Ciaran McDonnell opened with a strong 6:21 first leg, followed by Michael Mooney who tackled the challenging middle section. Denis Shields anchored the team, crossing the line with a total team time of 26:10.
Three Letterkenny AC athletes felt the heat at Sunday’s London Marathon.
London was burning, with mid-morning temperatures soaring to 22°C, meaning competitors faced an additional challenge beyond the traditional 26.2-mile course.
Stephen McAuley led our local contingent with an impressive time of 2:44:22, demonstrating exceptional pacing strategy despite suffering from hamstring cramps in challenging conditions.
Not far behind, Michael Black crossed the finish line with a commendable time of 2:52:37. Black’s performance was particularly noteworthy given the heat, as he navigated the crowded streets of London with determination and grit, pushing through the final miles when many runners began to struggle.
Robert Tshimbudzi completed the marathon in 4:05:10, displaying tremendous heart and perseverance. Tshimbudzi’s journey through London’s iconic landmarks exemplified the spirit of marathon running – overcoming obstacles and achieving personal goals regardless of conditions.
Bay Road 5k
Letterkenny Athletic Club’s senior men delivered outstanding performances at the Bay Road 5K on Wednesday, April 23. The scenic course along the banks of the Foyle provided the perfect backdrop for some impressive times as the event made its welcome return to the athletics calendar.
Danny Mooney continued his exceptional form this season, claiming second place with a remarkable time of 14:44. His powerful stride and tactical race execution have become hallmarks of his performances in 2025, and Wednesday’s race was no exception.
Making a triumphant return to competitive racing after a year-long hiatus, Mark Grennan demonstrated he’s lost none of his speed, crossing the finish line in 15:26. Grennan’s comeback performance signals exciting possibilities for the remainder of the season.
The ongoing captains’ rivalry added another dramatic chapter as Eoghain McGinley and Philip McHugh battled stride for stride through most of the race. The pair remained inseparable at the 4-kilometer mark before McGinley unleashed a devastating finishing kick to pull clear on the final stretch. McGinley stopped the clock at 15:55, while McHugh followed in 16:02, visibly struggling in the closing meters as he’s been battling minor niggles the past couple of weeks. This latest installment puts uninjured McGinley ahead 3-2 in their captivating 2025 head-to-head series.
John Foley rounded out an impressive evening for the LAC contingent, nearly matching his personal best with a strong time of 16:22. Foley’s consistent performance demonstrates the impressive depth within the Letterkenny squad.
Bay Road 5K. Phillip McHugh, Eoghain McGinley, Danny Mooney, John Foley, Mark Grenan
Raphoe Town F.C 5k
Raphoe Town FC 5K race delivered excitement and impressive performances on Thursday evening, notably Enda McLaughlin, leading the Letterkenny Athletic Club contingent with a remarkable fourth-place finish overall, crossing the line in 18 minutes and 51 seconds.
The event wasn’t without its share of controversy, as race officials noted that Liam Wiseman may have jumped the gun slightly at the start. When questioned, Wiseman good-naturedly explained that he “went on the B of the Bang,” gaining a yard advantage over his competitors. Despite the early start, Wiseman powered through the course to record a solid time of 24 minutes and 27 seconds.
Claire Price & Angela McGee continued their consistent form this season, completing the 5K route in 28 minutes and 20 seconds & 37:07 respectively.
Liam Wiseman, Angela McGee & Claire Price
Gemma’s Run 5k
In a perfect blend of fitness and romance, Frank and Noreen Pinder turned their Friday evening into a memorable “date night” at the Gemma’s Run 5K in Aghyaran on April 25, 2025.
Frank charged through the course, crossing the finish line in a time of 24:21. Not far behind, Noreen completed the course in time of 33:00 before heading off to their dinner reservation.
