Derry Track Club athletes made a sensational start to the year packing four runners into the top nine places at the Carrigans 5K as well as supplying the winner of the women’s race and several age categories.
The race was first of the Lifford-Strabane AC 5K Series that attracted over 300 starters and was held in surprisingly mild conditions on a relatively flat circuit around Carrigans and St. Johnston.
Teenager Matt Doherty showed a rest over the festive season had done him no harm as he hunted down the experienced Keith Shiels over the final kilometre.
In the end the former Waterside Half Marathon winner held on by a mere four seconds with Doherty clocking an impressive 15:56 to claim the runner-up spot.
That was good enough to see the young Bogside man take an early lead in the U20 category for the three race series.
New recruit to the Green Machine Martin Cox also caught the eye with a 16:16 clocking for sixth despite a tough trail race the previous day in Tyrone.
Darragh Crossan ran most of the race in isolation but finished strongly to take seventh in 17:06. That was enough to hold off a late charge from Cathal McLaughlin who finished just 12 seconds back in ninth, claiming the prize for first over 45 to finish.
Further down the field Chris Millar showed he is getting back to his best with an 18:49 clocking for 24th. Robert Bigger was first M55 across the line with a respectable 19:00 clocking.
Kevin Connolly (18:59), Shaun Deery (19:56) and Conor McIlveen (20:30) all showed good early season form with fast early season times and high placings in their respective categories.
DTC coach Gary McGee showed his versatility by pacing Amy McDaid to victory in the women’s race. Showing no sign of any fatigue from a demanding race the previous day, the Creggan woman romped home well clear in 20:46.
Another new recruit Deirdre Haigney also impressed with a fourth place overall in the women’s field in 22:06 and second in the F40 age group.
Earlier Martin Cox had his first competition for four months when he finished runner-up in the third fixture of the Sperrin Harriers Winter League held at the An Créagan Centre in Tyrone.
Cox covered the demanding course in 28:42, finishing seven seconds behind the winner and league leader Michael Crawley. Amy McDaid (35:59) was seventh in the women’s race.
Across in Scotland Derry Track Club member Conan McCaughey was in action at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country. The Stirling University student was representing Scotland East Region and finished 21st in the men’s 8K race.
8 responses to “GREEN MACHINE ROARS INTO NEW YEAR ACTION”
I couldn’t resist commenting. Well written!
I’m not sure exactly why but this website is loading very slow for me. Is anyone else having this issue or is it a problem on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.
I like to look in various places on the online world, regularly I will go to Digg and follow thru
Why users still make use of to read news papers when in this technological globe everything is presented on web?
I like reading a post that can make women and men think.
Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
I adore looking through articles that can make
people think. Also, thanks for permitting me to comment!
Say, you got a nice blog article. Want more.