| Carndonagh
athlete Helena Crossan continued her sensational form at ultra
– distance running with a superb second place finish in
the women’s section of the World 50 mile trail running championships
in Texas on Saturday last. Run in over 35 degrees of sweltering
heat, the event attracted the very best ultra-distance runners
in the world. Speaking moments after the event, Crossan said that
she was ‘…absolutely delighted…’ with
her performance
Helena
with Bronze from World 100k Championships in Holland
The
oppressive conditions along with a challenging, undulating course
on which runners had to negotiate sand and the roots of trees
underfoot was reflected in the finishing times. Crossan reached
the finish line in a very commendable 7 hours and 18 minutes.
Following a well deserved break over the Christmas holidays, Crossan
plans to defend her Connamara ultra-marathon (39.2 miles) title
which she won in a new course record of 4 hours and 52 minutes
last April.
Closer to home, three athletes from Inishowen A.C. ran in the
5k Turkey Trot in Letterkenny on Sunday last. Niall Mc Gee ran
17.47. Owen Mc Kinney raced to a personal best of 19 minutes and
38 seconds, which helped the Buncrana based athlete to twentieth
overall. Clonmany athlete Theresa Doherty returned to top form
with a good effort that saw her finish in twenty-ninth position
overall in 21 minutes and 42 seconds.
Up-Coming Events
This Saturday, the action moves to the cross-country scene with
City of Derry Athletic Club hosting the North West championships
in Gransha. The programme gets underway at 11.45 with a 2km race
for U13 boys and girls. This is followed at 11.55 by a 3km race
for U 15 boys and girls, U 16 boys and U 17 girls. The final race
of the programme takes place at 12.15 and will include category
prizes for both senior and masters’ men and women along
with U 17 boys and U 20 men and women. This event will be run
over 6km. Registration for all races is from 10.45. Sunday 16
December will bring a close to the Club cross-country season for
juvenile athletes with the National uneven ages cross-country
championships taking place in Dungarvan in Co. Waterford. Grainne
Hession and Stephen Friel will both be part of County teams for
these championships. Juvenile training for all age groups in Buncrana
continues at the Leisure Centre every Wednesday from 7-8 pm. Juvenile
training for 8-12 year olds on Thursday from 5-6 pm in Carndonagh
Community School Gym. Training for juveniles aged from 12-18 takes
place every Tuesday from 4-5 pm and on Thursdays from 3.20-4.40
in Carndonagh Community School also. New members are welcome to
come along. Finally, training for senior athletes takes place
every Tuesday at 6.30 pm from the Buncrana Leisure Centre.
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