Buncrana
5K - 28th May 2008
Poster
Clip of 2007 finish here
Report and Results of 2007 Race here
Hectic
Period ahead for local athletes
The Donegal 10K marked the start of a hectic
period for northwest road runners with races coming thick and
fast in the next few weeks. more
Valley
Athletes take the Honours in Donegal 10K
Finn Valley athletes made a clean sweep of
the top three places at the 12th North West Charity 10k in a
sun-soaked Letterkenny. more
Mutai
wins Belfast Marathon
African runners again dominated Monday's Deep
RiverRock Belfast Marathon with both the top men’s and women’s
prizes going to athletes from the Dark Continent. more
YAL
Round 2, 2008 Templemore, Derry
Photos from today's competition, click here.
Results. Pts after 2 rounds here.
Results Senior Events here
YAL
Round 1 2008 Antrim
Yal in Antrim
on Saturday last. 60 athletes travelled. Fine performances throughout
all age groups by young Spartans with outstanding performances
from multi winners Ryan Mc Parland in 100m & 80m Hurdles,
Ciaran Armstrong in the 75m, LongJump & Discus , Jamie Devine
in 100m & Shot , Jamie Herron in the high jump & Triple
Jump & Claire Dougherty in HJ & 75m Hurdles & Mark
Mc Garvey in the Long Jump & Hurdles , Ruidhri O Neill &
Obara Diegbe in the A & B U13 HJ & Hurdles. There were
several other individual victories in A & B strings.
Top performance from Ciara Armstrong winning the Long Jump @ 4.11m
in the u13 Girls.
Next round this saturday at templemore sports complex.
Jim
Herron
Full Results
Match 1 and
Match 2.
Team Positions after RD
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ROWAN
SEALS SERIES IN
COLERAINE
5K
Paul Rowan was the easy winner of the second University Challenge
5K race hosted by the University of Ulster at its Coleraine Campus.
On a bright but breezy evening the 42-year-old Willowfield Harrier
had 30 seconds to spare clocking 15 minutes 24 seconds for the
distance.
The win gave Rowan overall victory in the two race series after
taking the opening leg at Jordanstown just seven days previous.
Early leader Gregory Roberts from the City of Derry club held
on the runner-up spot ahead of North Belfast’s Tommy Hughes who
recorded 16 minutes 13 seconds.
It was Roberts’ second competitive outing in eight days having
won the opening fixture of the Furey Insurance 5K Series a week
earlier.
The women’s race was a much closer affair with City of Derry’s
Anne Paul crossing the line first in 18:08 to reverse the placings
with Jordanstown winner Gladys Ganiel. Just three seconds separated
the pair after a titanic struggle that went right down to wire.
However, with a winning margin of 19 seconds from seven days
earlier, the Abbey athlete was able to claim a hard-earned overall
series victory. Third place went to relative newcomer Katrina
Sinclair with a creditable 19:22 mark.
Anne Paul confirmed after the race that she will be competing
in the Belfast Marathon next Monday and has targeted a podium
place. Kenyans John Mutai and Joyce Kandie will be both looking
to chalk up a second victory in the event.
Anne Paul leads
the Northwest challenge at the Belfast Marathon next Monday.
Mutai won last year’s event while Kandie who has since had a
baby lifted the women’s title in 2006.
Only the cold damp conditions and a new tougher course last year
prevented Mutai from breaking Marty Deane’s record of 2:15:54
with the east African ending up 30 seconds shy of the 1985 mark.
The quality of the performance can be gauged from the fact that
the Bromsgrove and Redditch athlete finished over six minutes
clear of runner-up Stephen Ndungu, himself a former winner of
the race.
Mutai has an impressive CV with a wins in the Great North (1999)
and Dubai Marathon (1970) to his credit as well as a personal
best of 2:13:20.
Despite now being 41, he is still producing impressive times
as shown by his 2:18:50 clocking three months ago in the Mumbai
marathon which took place in 30 degrees temperatures. Main opposition
to Mutai may come from Ethiopia’s Abebe Seyoum who recorded a
sub 2.18 time in the New Delhi marathon 2 years ago.
Two years ago Joyce Kandie turned in a virtually solo run of
2:43:11 which was the third fastest ever and was good enough to
beat all but the first 8 male finishers.
Although she lost out to Newcastle’s Kerry Harty in the warm-up
Titanic Quarter 10K (TQ 10K) race two week’s ago, she said she
felt stronger than ever following her break from the sport to
have a child.
Her plan is to attack the 2005 Belfast record of 2:41:33 currently
held by Ethiopia’s Lemma Urge. The first prize for both men’s
and women’s races is £2500 with an additional £1000
on offer for breaking the respective course records.
Malcolm McCausland
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COLLINS
JUST OUTSIDE COMMONWEALTH MARK
Omagh Harrier Noel Collins just missed out on a qualifying time
for the Commonwealth Youth Games when he was the winner of the
BMC 800 metres at the Mary Peters Track.
The first four finishers all recorded new personal bests as Collins
who already has lifted an AAA Indoor 1500 metres title across
the water this year was timed at one minute 54.1 seconds.
In a tight finish the Drumragh Integrated student saw off the
challenge of Ryan Faulkner (1:54.5) and Mark Patterson (1:55.5).
Fourth spot went to Niall Robinson (1:56.8) whose father Dicky
from Strabane was a 1:52 man in his day.
Noel Collins has his eyes set on
Commonwealth Youth Games in India this autumn.
Unfortunately, for Collins his time was a mere tenth outside
the mark needed for the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held in
India next October. It will only be the third edition of the Youth
games and the host city Pune will be hoping to put its name on
the World sporting map.
One record is already certain to be broken in that all 71 countries
will participate in this event – more than 2000 athletes and officials
will participate in nine disciplines which comprise Athletics,
Badminton, Boxing, Shooting, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Weightlifting
and Wrestling.
Malcolm McCausland
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SLIM PICKINGS FOR LOCAL
ATHLETES IN GALWAY
Medals were scarce for northwest athletes at the National 10K
Road Race Championships in Athenry, County Galway. Apart from
a category win from Helena Crossan and bronze team medals for
Letterkenny there was little return for the long journey south.
Clareman Seamus Power was the winner of the race after the former
Waterside Half Marathon winner proved to have the stronger finish
after a close duel with Paul McNamara from the host club.
The Kilmurry-Ibrickane athlete crossed the line in 30 minutes
27 seconds with McNamara holding down second a further five seconds
back.
Alan O’Shea who won the Cork Marathon last year took third in
31:14 while Pat Byrne (31:33) in fifth being the first Master
across the line.
Leading Northern Ireland runner was Annadale’s Paddy Hamilton
who finished back in 14th with a 32:20 clocking.
Maghera man Tommy Hughes (33:18) who represented Ireland in the
Olympic Marathon 16 years ago took the individual bronze medal
in the M45 category.
City of Derry’s Declan McCarthy took fifth in the same section
after recording an very creditable 35:00 for the 6.1 mile distance.
Letterkenny did well to take third place in the men’s team class
classifications behind Rathfarnham and Raheny.
However, the Derry squad were unable to field a team in the Master’s
competition after a late withdrawal by Paul McCafferty. Sammy
McAnaney made the journey but decided not to risk an injury by
taking part after warming up.
Abbey’s Gladys Ganiel turned in the best performance of the day
by a Northern runner when she was third in the women’s race in
37:06. Ennis schoolteacher Orla O’Mahoney (35:20) was the runaway
winner of the race from Catriona Jennings (36:51).
Inishowen’s long-distance specialist Helena Crossan (37:36) picked
up the individual gold medal in the F40 category. Foyle Valley’s
Bernie Ryan finished just out of the awards after ending up fourth
in the F45 listings with a time of 43:28.
Malcolm McCausland
Inishowen athlete
Helena Crossan who won the F40 category gold medal at the National
10K Road Race Championships in Galway.
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Furey
Insurance 5K Series 2008
Race
1 - UU Magee - Bay Road
Greg
and Arnie heading into the last lap(Photo Eoghan Furey).
ROBERTS KICKS OFF LOCAL ROAD SEASON WITH VICTORY
Gregory Roberts put down a marker that he is set to dominate
the local road running scene this season with a convincing victory
in the opening race of the Furey Insurances 5K Series.
The City of Derry Spartan led from gun to tape on the fast Bay
Road circuit as 61 contestants of varying abilities turned up
to shake off the cobwebs after what seemed a long and wet winter.
However, despite the bright conditions a cold easterly wind put
paid to any hope of fast times with Roberts recording only a modest
clocking of 15 minutes 59 seconds for the event sponsored by the
University of Ulster Magee .
Clubmate Aaron Doherty ran shoulder to shoulder with the Templemore
man in the early stages but slipped back in the later stages to
finish 17 seconds behind the winner.
Newcomer Colin Watson made an impressive debut taking third in
17:04 with City’s Kevin Carlin the leading Junior (U20) another
five seconds back in fourth.
Ivan Hrastic (17:30) from Slovenia and Letterkenny’s Martin Gormley
(17:41) who was the leading veteran completed the top half dozen.
Other veteran category prizes went to Danny Ryan (M35/17:56),
Paul Kelly (M45/19:46), Peter Lilburn (M50/19:20), Mal McCausland
(M55/19:52), Christy McMonagle (M60/20:13).
Olivia McCullagh turned in a storming last lap to win the ladies’
race by the best part of a minute in a an impressive 19 minutes
27 seconds.
One of the top Juniors in Ireland only a few years ago, the Greencastle
woman’s has been in the doldrums for a few seasons but showed
signs that she is now on the way back.
Ever-consistent Jackie McMonagle was second lady in 20 minutes
14 seconds to make it a Spartan one-two while third spot was taken
by Inishowen’s Theresa Doherty in 21:34.
Malcolm McCausland
L -R Jackie McMonagle 2nd Senior
Women, Aaron Doherty, 2nd Senior Men, Paul McElhinney - University
of Ulster Sports Centre, Greg Roberts, Winner Senior Men and Olivia
McCullagh Winner Senior Women. All 4 athletes pictured are from
City of Derry Spartans AC.
Full
Results here
For
more photos from Eoghan click here
and from Dermot Sweeney click here.
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Furey
Insurance 5K Series Launch 2008 University of Ulster Magee
Photo of official
launch of Furey Insurances 5k Series held today in the University
of Ulster Magee. Included from bottom right Steven Duffy &
Paul McElhinney(Fitness Assistants, Magee), Gerry Lynch(City of
Derry Spartans AC), Stephen Street (Sport & Recreation Officer
– Magee), Sean Furey (Managing Director – Sean Furey Insurances),
Dara Furey (Director – Sean Furey Insurances & City of Derry
Spartans AC) & Eoghan Furey (City of Derry Spartans and UU
Magee)
GOOD NEWS FOR ALL NORTH WEST RUNNING ENTHUSIASTS
AS DETAILS OF THE CITY OF DERRY SPARTANS POPULAR FUREY INSURANCES
5k SERIES were announced yesterday (Monday 7th APRIL 2008).
The Seven Race 5Km Series will once again have
SEAN FUREY INSURANCES LTD as the overall Sponsor, with each race
supported by a specific Sponsor, at a wide range of venues in
Derry and Inishowen.
The University of Ulster (Magee) debuts as an
individual sponsor as the 2008 Series begins on the Bay Road Circuit
on Wednesday 16th April next, start time 7.30 p.m. Two races follow
in May, two in June, one in July and the Series concludes on Saturday
2nd August at the MUFF FESTIVAL.
There is £250.00 prize money on offer for
the leading finishers at each of the seven races, and for stayers
in the field, nearly £500.00 available for the best overall
performances ( best 5 performances to count.)
In addition there is also a Series Tee Shirt
– wear it with Pride – for everyone who completes Five of the
Seven Races and of course the satisfaction of regularly testing
yourself against the distance and your peers over the summer months.
5K is perhaps the most popular and accessible
race distance and the SPARATANS ANNUAL SUMMER SERIES has certainly
captured the imagination of the North West’s running and jogging
fraternity in recent years.
The local club have taken the Healthy Living
philosophy out into the community with Events right across the
city and beyond and have been rewarded with excellent turnouts
at all venues from club runners, joggers and keep fit enthusiasts.
SERIES DETAILS
As already indicated the first event is on Wednesday
16th April, 7.30, start, on the Bay Road circuit, with entries
at £5, being taken at the Magee Sports Grounds on the Duncreggan
Road from 6.30 p.m.
This one is followed on Wednesday 14th May by
the W B Thompson & Co., Solicitors sponsored Lisnagelvin Race,
again with a 7.30 p.m. start and Race Headquarters will be Lisnagelvin
Leisure Centre.
The very popular Buncrana Race is on Wednesday
28th May. Furey Insurances sponsor this one and entries for the
7.30 p.m. start will be taken at the Buncrana Swimming Pool on
the Shore Front.
Altanfish sponsor Race 4, out of the Sports Complex
on Wednesday 11th June again with a 7.30 p.m. start and then its
on to Culmore on Saturday 28th June for Race 5, Sponsored once
again by the Culmore Festival Committee. This one has a 2.00 p.m.
start.
In July it’s the Jog in the Bog courtesy of the
Gasyard Feile, the date to be confirmed and the SERIES concludes
on Saturday 2nd August at the MUFF FESTIVAL, start time 2.00 p.m.
HEALTHY EXERCISE IN THE COMMUNITY
Speaking at the SERIES LAUNCH at Magee College
on Monday 7th April, both Sean Furey of the overall Sponsors and
Sean Lavery, City of Derry Spartans Chairman, spoke of an excellent
overall healthy exercise package, offering seven opportunities
over the next 16 weeks or so for runners, joggers and keep fit
enthusiasts to participate in a series of well organised, user
friendly 5K runs at venues right across the community.
Gerry Lynch
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
EOGHAN FUREY 00353879474883 or
GERRY LYNCH 07736213153
email: eoghanfurey@gmail.com
Series Poster click here
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