Irish National Half Marathon 2009
by Kieran Carlin.
Finn Valley AC the host club must take great credit for their organising of the National Half Marathon in Ballybofey today Sunday 5th Sept 09. On what was a wet drizzly day in the Northwest, Over 190 athletes from various parts of the Country came to take on the challenge of the flat but sometimes undulating course.
The main protagonists in the field were the two Juniors who finished 1st and 2nd in the National Junior Cross-country also hosted by Finn Valley AC in 1999, Mc Alistair gaining revenge on Local man Gary Murray both running for St Malachy’s in Belfast unfortunately not having a third man ruling them out of the team event. Early on a large group of 6 athletes broke away, another larger group, which consisted the ever-consistent Pauric Mc Kinney running for Letterkenny and Finn Valley man Darren Mc Neely and from City of Derry Declan Reid followed this, further down the field the ladies were having their own battle Letterkenny woman Catriona Jennings running for Rathfarnham AC headed the battle whilst Catherine Conway Mayo AC, Anne Curley Donore Harriers and Lucy Darcy Sports world all were in contention. Other battles were in full swing as the miles progressed with master’s athletes both male and females battling with their younger opposition. Back to the front the by now dwindled group that was down to two Murray and McAllister, 30sec back was Cain Mc Laughlin and a further 20sec back having a blinder of a run was Gregory Roberts City of Derry. Coming through the field leading the master’s Pauric Mc Kinney in the top ten whilst club mate Gary Crossan was locked in battle with Declan Reed City of Derry, by now the team competition was hooting up between City of Derry, Letterkenny and Clonliffe Harriers.
Half way for the ladies saw Catriona Jennings breaking away clear from Catherine Conway with Lucy Darcy in 3rd.
Back at the front with two mile to go McAllister makes a break from Murray opening up a gap of 11sec within the mile the Murray would finish 2nd behind a rejuvenated McAllister. A fine run from Murray having been out through injury last year. Cain Mc Laughlin would take 3rd position with Roberts running out of his skin taking 4th place. The team placing would come down to the wire, with both Northwest Clubs battling for honours, City of Derry would come out on top by 29sec this time. Letterkenny AC 2nd and Clonliffe 3rd
In the ladies Catriona Jennings coming home a clear winner winning her first National Title Catherine Conway Mayo AC 2nd and Anne Curley Donore Harriers 3rd.
Finn Valley athletes coming home with National Medals were in the master’s category, Jim Hynes, Jimmy Shields and Pat Mc Crudden taking Bronze in the O50’s team, Gloria Donaghey, Noleen Merritt and Bridget Mc Glynn getting Bronze in the Masters ladies.
To conclude a fantastic day for all involved in the organising of the race, from the juvenile athletes and their coaches at the water stations, the 50 marshals to the ladies who made the tea & sandwiches, a special thanks to An Garda Siochana for their help with traffic management in the towns and finally to the officials from AAI, of course the two ladies who produced the results Georgina and Bernie.
Listed below individual medal winners.
W50
Place Name Club Time
1 Bernie Kelly Galway City Hrs 102.57
2 Gloria Donaghy Finn Valley 103.00
3 Bernie Miller Slaney Olympic 109.21
M60
Place Name Club Time
1 Brendan Sherlock Monaghan Phoenix 84.29
2 Tom Hunt Mayo 87.18
3 Jimmy Shiels Finn Valley 90.13
M65
Place Name Club Time
1 Christy Mc Monagle City of Derry 85.09
2 Pat Bonass Clonliffe Hrs 94.16
3 Jim Hynes Finn Valley 110.41
Results.
Results.
Pictures.
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