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4th
September 2011
National Half Marathon Age Group Golds For McKinney and McMonagle
Two road race results of local significance
to report, Sundays National Half Marathon championships in
Waterford anf last Thursday nights Run the Bann 5K and an
update on this weekends Waterside Half Marathon.
Letterkennys Pauric McKinney easily won the
M45 age group individual gold down in the South East on Sunday
, his 70m 28s clocking for 14th overall was good enough for
a comfortable victory in a race won by Sean Hehir of Rathfarnham
WSAF who won equally untroubled with 65m 24s.
City of Derry Spartans masters star Christy MCMonagle also
made the long trip a profitible one , bringing home the M65
gold in 87m 03s for a comprehensive win in his category. He
continues to build towards another Dublin marathon and retention
of his national crown over the classic distance.
Foyle Valleys in form Scott Rankin fresh from his third place
Dessies Run PB effort last Tuesday night, showed no ill effects
as he won Thursday nights Run the Bann 5K in 15m 43s. He was
11 seconds clear of Ballymena Runners Jonny Steede with Ballymena
and Antrim M40 Matt Wray third on 16m16s. City of Derrys Anne
Paul ran 18m 49s to easily take the womens honours.
Staying with road running and a look ahead to this weekends
Waterside Half Marathon, incorporating the Athletics NI championships,
and set for Sunday morning in the Gransha grounds. Entries
are still being taken at race HQ,in St Columbs Park Leisure
Centre and can be made online at www.derrycity.gov.uk/halfmarathon
One thousand plus runners are expected for this 30th staging
of the Waterside, most will tackle the full 13.1 mile distance
while others will participate via the 3 person team Relay
format. The new 10 mile Walk challange is set to draw over
300 participants and the action also offers a 2K Family Fun
Run, on grass, while the runneres and walkers are out on the
road.
The Walkers go at 10am. Runners at 10 30am and the Fun Runners
at 10 45am allowing them lots of time to finish their run
and get ready to welcome the runners and walkers back to the
finish inside the Gransha grounds. Entertainment wil be laid
on to while away the time and build up the anticipation for
a rousing finish.
Mens winner for the past two years Omagh Harriers Stephen
Duncan, has confirmed his entry over the weekend and will
line up with the aim of completing the treble. If he does
he will join Paul Rowan and Joe McAlister who each won three
in a row between 2002 and 2008.
More news of the up front men and womens race later in the
week when the entry picture becomes somewhat clearer.
Gerry Lynch
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