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Bob Mullan Motors 5K Series 2004

Archive

Fixtures

Gavin Stevenson and Anne Paul picked up the major prizes as the streets of Derry echoed to the sound of pounding feet on Wednesday night – and there was not a word of protest from the residents!

After consulting various groups City of Derry athletics Club had been given permission by the police to use the city centre for the fifth fixture in the year’s Bob Mullan Motors 5K Series sponsored by Glendenning’s Jewellers.

While it could not be said that the runners followed a traditional route -  it was over a quarter of a century since the last road race inside the walls – the three lap course taking in a climb up Shipquay Street each time certainly tested even the fittest.

Gavin Stevenson who had been injured most of the Spring showed that he was back to full fitness with a bold piece of front-running.  The Artigarvan man led by 20 metres from Gary O’Donnell and Sammy McAnaney at the end of the first lap.  With a lap to go he had doubled his advantage with McAnaney now in second and Declan McCarthy moving through the field to third.

Stevenson climbed Shipquay Street like a stag for the final time but faded in the final half mile to allow McAnaney back to within four seconds at the tape reached in 16 minutes 50 seconds.

Declan McCarthy held on to third spot in 17:01 to tighten his grip on the overall Series leadership. Martin Gormley (17:09), Gary O’Donnell (17:25) and Eoghan Furey (17:33) completed the top half dozen.

McAnaney and McCarthy collected the M45 and M40 prizes while other category prizes went to Jim Breen (M50 – 18:24), Noel Crumley (M60 -19:38) and James Reid (M65 – 19:50).

Anne Paul was dominant in the women’s race, having 83 seconds to spare over Shelagh Bodkin after clocking an outstanding 18:10 on a very tough course.  Cathy McCourt made the long journey from Belfast to lift the third women’s prize in 19:54.

Paula McGilloway was the first F35 across the line in 20:53 and Catherine Moran recorded an excellent 19:56 for first F40.

The prizes for first male and female past the Anchor Bar on the first lap were won by Damien Quigley and Anne Paul.