Finn Valley held their 30^th annual 5K charity race on St Stephen='s day. The race was well supported by local athletes as well as athletes from Letterkenny, athletes home for their Christmas holidays as well as locals. Some very good times were recorded which looks good for the year 2002. Fastest Men's time was by Kevin Holian (15.09). Kevin is just returning from injury and good to see him in such good form. Fastest ladies time was recorded by Catriona McGranaghan (17.09). Catriona is improving all the time as the season goes on. Graeme Watt from Raphoe was the first to cross the line. Jimmy Sheils was 1^st Veteran man and Margaret Murray 1^st Veteran lady. Aveen O Reilly was first U15 and Kevin Gallagher 1^st Junior Boy. Finn Valley are also delighted to see the return of James Gibbons.  James had a good walk in a time of 23.18 and he can expect good things for 2002.

1 Graeme Watt (19.52), 2 Pauyl Sminneder (21.55), 3 John Lunch (20.44), 4 Declan Carlin (20.47), 5 Paddy Mannigan (22.32), 6 David Millar (17.54), 7 Aveen O Reilly ((1^st U15 19.56), 8 Jim Shiels (1^st Veteran man 19.03), 9 Bernard Foy (24.02), 10 Gerry Byrne (26.13), 11 Margaret Murray (1^st Veteran Lady 22.16), 12 Mary Martin (23.50), 13 Kevin Gallagher (1^St Junior Boy 21.38), 14 Kieran O Donnell (21.35, 15 Sean O Leary (26.42),16 Henry Maree (21.49) 17 Maurice Boyle (20.50), 18 Enda Doherty (21.21), 19 Martin Gormley (17.55), 20 Brian Patton (21.28), 21 Kevin Holian (Fastest Man (15.09), 22 Darren O Dea (19.00), 23 Catriona McGranaghan (Fastest Lady (17.19), 24 Frank Chaney (16.34), 25 Ivan Toner (16.09), 26 Noleen Porter (17.41), 27 Brendan McNulty (22.42), 28 Wendy Wartt (22.43), 29 Michael McNulty (22.44) 30 Pat Hegarty (16.00), 31 Dominic Bonner (16.16) 32 Kieran Carlin (15.17), 33 James Gibbons (23.18) 34 Jim Hynes (20.22), 35 Charlene Rushe (25.55) 36 Gerard Bogle ( 17.27) 37 Nathan Pierce (17.03), 38 Charlie Gallagher (15.57), 39 Michael McGlinchey (18.13) 40 Anthony Murray (17.30), 41 Grainne O Dea (21.48) 42 Kay Byrne (18.53) 43 John Daly (17.32) 44 Brendan Patton (21.45) 45 Barry Harron (16.47) 46 Granne McGowan (28.19), 47 Patrick White (16.31), 48 Michael Kelly (23.32), 49 Susan Doherty (28.38), 50 Sean McGowan Sen (25.41), 51 Seamus Curran (21.43), 52 Sean McGowan Jur (22.40), 53 Rosaleen McGonagle (28.54), 54 Neil Martin (20.30), 55 Kieran Bannon (18.11), 56 Joseph McGinley (22.55), 57 Declan Hennesy (24.06), 58 Gary Crossan (18.09), 59 Kate Byrne (24.36) 60 Noreen McGonagle (28.45), 61 Kate Merritt (30.51), 62 Levina Merritt (25.41), 63 Gina McGowan (25.43), 64 Michael Kent (26.57), 65 Bruce Kent (26.57), 66 Charlene McGowan (27.55), 67 Pat Gallen (37.11), 68 Sean Bradley (37.11), 69 Kathleen Gallen (41.54) 70 Paula Gallen (41.54), 71 Christine Lynch (41.54), 72 Pearl Millar (46.44)

Finn Valley wish to thank everyone who supported the race. Also thanks to Patsy McGonagle, Neil Martin, Eugene Drumm, Peadar McGranaghan and Mark Connolly who organised entries, handicaps and race finish. Also a big thanks to Rosaleen McGonagle and Grainne McGowan for preparing food after the race. Also thanks to Dermot McGranaghan who sponsored prizes for the race.

A number of Finn Valley juveniles have been selected on the Donegal team for Sports hall Athletes they are :

U13 boys: Maurice Boyle, Kevin Gallagher, Ryan McDaid and Shane Bonner.

U15 Girls: Grainne Nangle

U15 Boys Pauric Feely and Joseph McGinley

Best of luck to all in the Sports Hall competition.

Next Sunday the Ulster Senior and Veteran Men and Women Cross Country Championships takes place in Derry. Finn Valley will be hoping to retain Senior Women's title and Veteran Men's Title and to regain Senior Men's and Veteran Women's Titles. Best of luck to all involved.

Finn Valley AC and Committee wish to thank all who help throughout the year. A special thank you to Highland Radio, local and national press for all their support. A very happy New Year to all and best of luck in 2002