Track Upgrade
Despite all the inclement weather the upgrade of the Finn Valley AC jumps and throws areas has been completed with a tartan surface. Also top of the range lighting now in place up to a very high specification makes competition and training possible through the winter. In fact with a view to planning programmes and much needed strength and conditioning T/F coaches in the club will meet Thursday to plan the winter programme for sprinters, throwers, jumpers etc.
In general cross-country training is going ahead with great enthusiasm with possibly 12 strong teams for nationals certainly on paper. Nationals incidentially will be held in Tramore, Co Waterford and Ballyhaise. A full fixture list appears on the website for the entire winter spring season.
This weekend it's the Donegal 5k championship at Letterkenny, 11.30 and it also marks the end of the Donegal road race series which has proved once again a tremendous success. Other fixture news centres round next years national half marathon which will be staged at Finn Valley in early September. While on the subject of half marathons note the excellent performance of Frank Chaney in Derry last Saturday finishing 15th of 600 plus finishers in 1.17.31 and Gloria Donaghy and Paddy Bond.
Just a reminder to one and all of the Secondary School Cross Country at Valley on October 1st with a number of new schools expressing interest which should make for a hectic and interesting competition while the Primary Schools get their opportunity on October 3rd. All schools at all levels should be out exercising practically every day and emphasing same as obesity, etc. and poor health is increasingly becoming a major issue which schools MUST engage in whatever agreed approach that is undertaken. To opt out is not really an option any more for either parents or school and education authorities.
Great news re Jason Smyth, Derry winning paralympic gold and congratulations to his dedicated coach Stephen Maguire, Strabane and on a sadder note we extend condolences to Rodney Maughan on the death of his father Christy. May he rest in peace. Rodney was employed at the club for many years while his late father was most supportive when the club first purchased the old disused factory that is now the excellent Finn Valley centre.
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