Big weekend for athletes

More Track & Field and road race action this weekend will see Belfast’s Mary Peters Track, Tullamore Stadium and Lifford the venues for local athletes on Saturday and Sunday.
Local athletes to race all over the country this weekend.Local athletes to race all over the country this weekend.
Local athletes to race all over the country this weekend.

The Mary Peters track on Saturday hosts the third round of the NI Youth Development League with the local Spartans travelling with athletes in the U13, 15 and 17 age groups.

Unfortunately they are unlikely to qualify for the league final this year, below strength squads unable to notch up enough points in the first two rounds. However its another opportunity for quality age group competition and some decent performances are expected.

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Sunday in Tullamore will see the National Masters championships, the other end of the age spectrum and athletes from all the local clubs are expected to travel south in search of honours in their respective age groups, over 35 to 70 plus.

Christy McMonagle and Keith Shields set the standard earlier this week in Dublin winning age group golds in Monday’s National Half Marathon championships.

Lifford also sees competitive action on Sunday with the Riverline 10K road race expected to pull a big entry. It has a 2pm start and with the ongoing popularity of road running, should be one to watch.

Back to the National Half Marathon championship in Dublin on Monday last and well done to the three North West age group gold medallists, Keith Shields M35, Pauric McKinney M45 and Christy McMonagle M70. Shields ran 70 minutes and 52 seconds, eight overall and a clear M35 category winner.

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Buncrana based McKinney was the emphatic M45 winner in 75 minutes even and as already reported McMonagle comfortably took the M70 honours. Congratulations to all three, and this weekend’s T&F athletes have a lot to live up to.

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