7 October 2017
Derry Track Club’s lady masters put in the top performance for the club at the Orangegrove AC-organised NI & Ulster Road Relays in Victoria Park, Belfast.
Elaine Connor (12:57) opened brightly with an outstanding sixth place on the opening leg. Lisa McLaughlin kept DTC in contention on the second leg with a fine 13:48 timing before Marina Murphy (12:03 = 4th fastest overall) moved impressively through the field to finish fifth at the finish line. That was just 49 seconds off the bronze medal position.
The male Masters’ were also in medal contention for most of the 4 x 3380m contest before having to settle for sixth. One minute and ten seconds separated the DTC squad from medals after solid running from Michael Murphy (10:55), Cathal McLaughlin (11:04), Adrian Boyle (11:31) and Andy Maguire (11:43).
Controversy shrouded our senior men’s squad with disqualification threatened before a racing shoe was donned. Running as guests* John McQuade (11:07), Sean McIntyre (11:22), Gideon Kipsang (9:27) and Conán McCaughey (9:57) distinguished themselves by crossing the line in seventh spot.
*appeal ungoing.