News

22nd May 2011 Buncrana 5k Update

Wednesday nights Buncrana 5K road race is all set to welcome a record number of participants and all concerned are keeping their fingers well and truly crossed that the weather will be conducive for another classic outing at the popular Inishowen event which starts on St Marys Road at 7 30pm.

The 2010 entry was 310 and with the buzz around the race building steadily organisers City of Derry Spartans AC are expecting that figure to be exceeded tomorrow night. Entries will be taken from 5 30pm at the new race HQ in Scoil Mhuire on St Marys Road or can be emailed to fudgelarge@gmail.com by 5pm today Tuesday 24th May. Just forward your name, age on race day and club,if any.

The up front mens battle looks like its down to City of Derrys Connor Bradley and the man who beat him last week in Letterkenny, Patrick Brennan, as 2010 winner and course record holder Joe McAlister is injured and Padd Hamilton is unlikely to appear after his 13.1 miles in Githenburgh last Saturday. But who knows what the lure of excellent prizes and the E100 record bonus will bring to the start line!

Finn Valleys Tereas McGloin remains the womens race favourite and although she dipped below 17mins last year, Maria McCambridges record 16mins 07s is unlikely to be seriously challanged. The Spartan Connor Bradley however has made it clear he has McAlisters 14m 40s mens record in his sights and whatever the opposition he will be going for it!

5K PB,s are usually the order of the day in Buncrana and this is a strong attraction for all standards of runners who make the trip so heres hoping the weather gods are kind Wednesday night and its PB,s all round.

18th May 2011 RECORDS TO TUMBLE AT BUNCRANA 5K NEXT WEDNESDAY?

Records look set to tumble at next Wednesday nights Sean Furey Insurances Buncrana 5K, race three in the popular Furey Insurances Series, as the Inishowen seaside town expects to host a large crowd with Joe McAlisters 14m 40s mens course best under serious threat.

The St Malachys star tore the 310 strong field apart last year en route to his 14m 40s clocking on the fast North Donegal course and with E100 on offer for new figure this Wednesday evening,a bunch of quality performers are expected to line up to chase the prize money and the bragging rights over what has developed into one of the best 5K races in the country.

Last Tuesday nights Inter Firms 5K winner, Patrick Brennan of Letterkenny AC clocked 14m 34s to beat City of Derrys Connor Bradley on 14m 39s and this pair expect to lock horns again in Buncrana. McAlister has been invited back to defend his title and Annadale Striders Paddy Hamilton,who clinched the NI 5K championship in the first Furey Insurances race on the Bay Road circuit last month,with a 14m 39s course record is another likely contender.

The womens course record stands to Letterkennys Maria McCambridge who posted an astonishing 16m 07s last year. She will not be in the line up this year ...she is expecting her first child.. and Finn Valleys Teresa McGloin will probably start as favourite. Teresa is going very well just now,she won convincingly at Bay Road and is unbeaten in the North West in recent months. North Belfast Harrier Cathy McCourt was disappointed with her runners up finish at Bay Road and as a previous Buncrana winner she knows the course well and will be difficult to subdue if she hits form. North West athletes Helena Crossan of Inishowen,Foyle Valleys Dawn McDaid and the Spartan's Marina Campbell are others who may feature up front on Wednesday night.

Entry Details and Prize Money
-----------------------------------
The top three finishers,male and female, will be on £80, £60, £40 prize money and each age group winner from Under 20 to Over 70 will pocket £20 for their efforts and if the first two races are any guide the competition will be intense.

Entries will be taken on race night at the new event HQ, Scoil Mhuire Secondary School adjacent to the Buncrana Leisure Centre,from 5 30pm. Race start time is 7 30pm and the fast, officially measured course starts right outside the School with the Leisure Centre available for showers.

Entry fee on the night is £8 or E10. However online pre entry at £7 or E9 can be made by emailing your name, age on race day and club,to fudgelarge@gmail.com Email entry must be recieved by 4pm on Tuesday 24th May and the race pack can be picked up on the night when payment is made.

Race organisors City of Derry Spartans are proud of their exciting Series and delighted that it continues to attract support from all levels of runners and joggers. Indeed the competition down the field is every bit as combatitive as the up front action and of course the Buncrana circuit offers possible PBs to all participants. The Buncrana race is sponsored by Sean Furey Insurances of Buncrana and Carndonagh who are also the sponsors of the overall series. These events wouldn't happen without this support so perhaps you will consider using them the next time your insurance is up for renewal?

Race poster along with past results and race videos are available at www.sparta-athletics.co.uk

The next in the Series is at Culmore on Wednesday 8th June,usual start time of 7 30pm and using the established Coney Road course. Joe Jackson Ice Cream Parlours are the specific race sponsors at Culmore and there will be a supporting 1 mile Fun Run.