New file set in Donegal Half Marathon

A brand new course file was set in right now’s Donegal Half Marathon in Letterkenny when Yared Derese cruised to victory in a time of 1:07:22.

The Carrick Aces AC runner, who gained the Nationwide Half Marathon final yr in 1:03:44, took two and a half minutes off the earlier course file of 1:09:51 that was set by Raheny’s Freddy Keron Sittuk in 2015.

Second within the occasion, which attracted a subject of round 400, was Shane O’Donnell from Rosses AC in 1:13:38, with Letterkenny AC’s Philip McHugh third in 1:15:28.

Helen McCready from Rosses AC, winner of the senior girls’s title in 2022, made a profitable defence of her crown when taking the victory in 1:21:54. Runner-up was Finn Valley’s Natasha Kelly in 1:24:32, with Ciara Cunningham of Tir Chonaill AC third in 1:24:36.

Runners firstly of the Donegal Half Marathon. (NW Newspix)

Giving his response to the day’s proceedings, race director, Brendan McDaid, mentioned he was delighted at how nicely every part went.

“We have been extraordinarily blissful to have round 400 collaborating which is up considerably on final yr. Our purpose is to maintain constructing on the numbers and we shall be aiming to have 500 on the highway within the 2024 occasion,” he commented.

After the 2021 Donegal Half Marathon, the race organisers made a couple of alterations to the course.

“We checked out issues once more after the occasion two years in the past and eradicating the Port Street appears to have been a consider attracting larger numbers. The primary 4 miles in across the city are flat, and other than the climb up Rashedog simply after the half method level, the course is flat and quick,” he mentioned.

“That the race is now recognised as a Donegal championship occasion meant there was a rise within the variety of membership runners competing and that additionally boosted the numbers.”

“We’ve had entries from throughout Eire and fairly a couple of from over seas which was actually pleasing once you take note of that there have been half marathons held in different elements of the nation over the weekend,” he added.

“The kids’s races, which might be sponsored by Letterkenny Century Cinemas, have been launched a couple of years in the past. These have been as soon as once more coordinated by our buddies from Donegal Sports activities Partnership. Those that ran right now bought the chance to race over the ultimate kilometre of the Donegal Half Marathon, with the end line on the Danny McDaid Observe.

“It takes as much as 100 volunteers to ensure out occasion is run easily and this yr we had an incredible response from folks coming ahead to assist. The Donegal Half Marathon is rightly often called the folks’s race and we’re grateful to the Donegal Volunteer Centre and Letterkenny Athletic Membership, together with our skilled crew of marshals headed up by Neily McDaid and Gerard McGinley who’ve given up their time to make sure that we staged one other pleasing occasion,” he mentioned.

“When one takes under consideration the half marathon individuals, the kids’s races and the volunteers who assist out, round 600 folks have been concerned indirectly in making the 2023 Donegal Half Marathon occur right now. So, we are able to say with certainty that neighborhood spirit is definitely alive and nicely in Letterkenny and among the many working fraternity.

“We’re additionally extraordinarily grateful for the assistance and assist we get from our important sponsors, Kernans, Optum, Letterkenny CDP, Donegal County Council, Fáilte Eire, Century Cinemas and the Gardaí. With out their contribution, the race wouldn’t occur,” the race director added.

New file set in Donegal Half Marathon was final modified: August twenty seventh, 2023 by Employees Author