20/21 February 2021 – Malcolm McCausland
Derry Track Club runners were finally able to avail of some competitive action, albeit virtual in a 6 x 5K relay against our friends at Tafelta AC. The times could be recorded at any time over the weekend with the six fastest from each club counting in the contest.
After a close run affair, the Magherafelt men eventually ran out winners by a margin of just over a minute. All the DTC runners expressed themselves happy with the outing and keen for a re-match against the County Derry men.
Adrian Boyle was fastest for DTC, and indeed of all the participants, with a 16 :11 mark. Ben Mellon showed he has wintered well with a 17:35 but may have been outshone by his father David Mellon who recorded a personal best of 18:57.
It was good to see Pete Tuohey (19:54) and Robert Bigger (20:31) back after injury and illness respectively. And like there would be no show without Punch, no occasion would be complete without Conor (Big Dawg) McIlveen contributing. In this case the Dawg chipped in a very useful 21:22 timing.
Just outside the top six, David Stewart recorded a more than adequate backup time of 22:43. Mikey Dineen also was on the mark with a 27:02 timing.
Tafelta were comfortable winners of the women’s relay but the DTC squad has time on its side with the three ages of the girls totalling only 40 years.
Thanks to Tafelta coach Francis Purvis and everyone who took part fully observing current regulations.
| Cathaoir | Purvis | 16:17 | Adrian | Boyle | 16:11 | |
| Ryan | Dougan | 18:59 | Ben | Mellon | 17:35 | |
| Noel | Coleman | 19:22 | David | Mellon | 18:57 | |
| Wayne | McFeilimi | 19:32 | Pete | Tuohey | 19:54 | |
| Kevin | Brady | 19:32 | Robert | Bigger | 20:31 | |
| Sean | Brady | 19:38 | Conor | McIlveen | 21:22 | |
| Total | 01:53,20 | Total | 1:54,30 |
| Mairead | Quinn | 19.37 | Kacey | Dineen | 27,10 | |
| Assumpta | O’Neill | 22:03 | Grace | Callaghan | 27,58 | |
| Sheila | McCloy | 22:34 | Nikayla | Dineen | 28,59 | |
| Total | 64,14 | Total | 84,07 |
Virtual action resumes the weekend of 6/7 March when the club offers a prize of £25 to the athlete who improves the most on his time over 5K. All marks, where possible, should be recorded on the Greenway. PLEASE NOTE THAT COVID-19 REGULATIONS STILL APPLY – NO MEETING IN GROUPS UNLESS ITS A FAMILY. YOU CAN MEET WITH ONE OTHER INDIVIDUAL.