Eighteen Inishowen Athletics Club members were part of a large field of over 600 athletes that completed the Waterside Half marathon at the spacious grounds of Gransha Park in Derry on Saturday last. Competitors were greeted with perfect running conditions as they set of on their 13.1 mile journey at 10.30. Karol Doherty was the first Inishowen A.C. competitor to cross the line when he finished an excellent third in the wheelchair section in 1 hour and 16 minutes and 04 seconds. It was a fine result for the Carndonagh based athlete as this was his first competitive outing in his new racing chair. This performance set the tone for the day for Inishowen athletes as several set personal bests and our senior women’s team clinched second place in the team race.
Helena Crossan led the team to silver medals with a fine fourth place finish in 1.26.02. She was closely followed by Brigid Moohan who set a personal best in running an impressive 1.38.10. The scoring team was completed by Eilish Bell finishing strongly in 1.44.58. Margaret O’ Donnell ran a controlled race to finish in 1.45 exactly. Buncrana based athlete Bridie Cassidy showed much promised by running 1.53.57. Niall Mc Gee ran 1.21.39 as Finbarr Gallagher raced to a solid 1.25.00. Carndonagh based athlete Shaun Mc Laughlin stormed to a massive personal best of over 5 minutes when he finished in 1.33.42. Buncrana based athletes Vinnie Hegarty and Owenie Mc Kinney were also in personal best form with completion times of 1.36.20 and 1.36.31 respectively. A strong finish from Donal Doherty helped him to break the 1 hour 40 barrier as he crossed the line in 1.39.54, just three seconds ahead of a resurgent Benny Barber in 1.39.54. Peter Mc Kinney set a season’s best of 1.44.37, while Seamus Mc Daid revised his lifetime best impressively to 1.44.59. A season’s best was also set by Dessie Doherty who ran 2.12.05. Patricia Barnett, Elizabeth Mc Daid and Mickey Donaghey were part of the relay team and finished in 1.46.55.

RESULTS WATERSIDE HALF & PHOTOS RACE & FINISH (Cathy McDermott)

Up-Coming Events
The Donegal 5km road championships take place this Sunday 21st September in Letterkenny at 11.30 am. Training for all juveniles in the Buncrana area takes place every 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 will resume in Carndonagh Community School on Thursday 11th September from 5.00 – 6.00 pm. New members are very welcome to join.