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18th
Oct 2010
City of Derry Spartans 6th
in European Club's Half Marathon Championships
City of Derry Spartans overcame heat and a demanding course
to finish sixth in yesterday’s European Champion Clubs’
Half Marathon Championship in Torres Vedras, Portugal. The
Northwest club was representing Ireland after winning the
national team title at that distance in Donegal last year.
The race was held in the Portuguese town, just north of Lisbon,
as part of the year-long celebration of Wellington’s
victory over the French forces in the Peninsula War exactly
two hundred years ago.
Aaron Doherty was the first man across the line for the Derry-based
club in 23rd place. The Moyola Valley teacher was timed at
72 minutes 35 seconds for a point to point course that included
an number of tortuous climbs and precipitous descents. Doherty
had run most of the route in the company three of his club
colleagues before moving away in the closing stages.
Emmett McGinty was close behind in 27th with a time of 73:45.
Belfast-based solicitor Brendan Murphy receorded a personal
best of 74:55 to take 28th. The Derry scoring quartet was
completed by Gary Slevin who also set new personal figures
of 76:29 in 30th spot.
The race was won by Hermano Ferreira from the Portuguese club
Conforlimpa in a World class time of 61:24. However, team
victory went to compatriots Club Maratona de Portugal with
City of Derry beating off the challenge of both Andorra and
San Marino to secure a place in the top half dozen.
Mayo Athletics Club, representing Ireland, took fourth team
position in the women’s race held over a 15 kilometre
distance. Catherine Conway in ninth was the leading finisher
for the Westerners with a 55:22 clocking. Mary Gleeson was
twelfth in 56:57 with third scorer Collette Tuohy fourteenth
in 58:13. Dulce Felix won the race and led her club Maratona
to an impressive double in the team competitions.
Meanwhile Ireland’s Aileen Morrison brought her season
to a close in fine style by finishing fourth in the Tongyeong
World Cup triathlon. Britain’s Jodie Swallow made an
emphatic solo breakaway early on the bike stage to give herself
a lead she was never to relinquish subsequently as she broke
the tape 90 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
Triple Olympian Anja Dittmer of Germany saw off the challenge
of Spain’s Ainhoa Murua for the silver. Morrison’s
fourth spot now puts her firmly in contention for selection
for the London Olympics in 2012.
Photos here
and here
Malcolm McCausland
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