Posted Date: 29-Mar-2009 Sun

Culdaff runner Eilish Bell had an excellent debute run over an ultra-marathon distance when she completed the Connamara 39.3 mile road race in 6 hours and 38 minutes on Sunday morning last. Bell cruised through the marathon distance of 26.2 miles in 4 hours and 02 minutes and powered her way over the closing 13 miles to finish comfortably under her pre-race target time of 7 hours. There was added celebration when Eilish’s sister Margaret ran a season’s best of 4.05 in the marathon. Another Culdaff runner Katrina Ruddy toed the line in the half marathon and capitalized on the dry conditions with a solid time of 1 hour and 55 minutes.

Karol Doherty was the first Inishowen finisher in the Omagh half marathon on Saturday last. The Carndonagh based athlete opened his season with a fine victory in the wheelchair section in 1.23.44. Buncrana runner Paddy Doherty stormed his way to a personal best with a finishing time of 1.25.41. Mickey Donaghy came away from the County Tyrone town with a personal best also with 1.35.52 to his credit. Club captain Vinnie Hegarty was just 8 seconds behind in a lifetime best also, while Owenie Mc Kinney was rewarded with 1.39.19 for the 13.1 mile event. Peter Mc Kinney converted his recent good form in training to a finishing time of 1.43.15, as Seamus Mc Daid completed the Inishowen A.C. team with a 1.49.06 effort.

Paddy Doherty showed a useful turn of speed when he opened his road season with an 18.18 clocking in the Letterkenny 5km in St Patrick’s Day. Other good performances were recorded by Owenie Mc Kinney 19.21, Vinnie Hegarty 20.13, Mickey Donaghy 20.29, Theresa Doherty, 20.38 and Seamus Mc Daid 21.39. Just three days earlier, Mc Daid ran 22.16 in the Gransha 5km in Derry. Also on St. Patrick’s Day, Helena Crossan enjoyed a 15 second victory in the County Meath open 5 mile road race championships. The Carndonagh runner confirmed her recent good form by finishing in 30 minutes and 14 seconds.

Both Aine Bradley and David Mc Laughlin competed in the UK Sportshall Finals in Birmingham on Sunday last. A full report on their performances will be given next week.

Training for all juveniles in the Buncrana area continues this Wednesday at the Leisure Centre from 7.00 – 8.00 pm. The Fit for Life and senior training continues every Tuesday from the Buncrana Leisure Centre at 6.30 pm. Athletics training for 8-12 year old juveniles continues this Thursday in Carndonagh Community School from 5.00 – 6.00 pm. Training for post-primary school athletes takes place every Thursday also in Carndonagh Community School from 3.20-4.45.