Keron wins Furey

The free striding African had to work hard however to shake off the attentions of Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin who pressed hard for a 15 minutes and 19 seconds runners up spot with Noel Logan of promoting club City of Derry posting 15 minutes and 36 seconds in third place.

The in form Marina Campbell ran 18 minutes and 32 seconds to take a thrilling womens race ahead of Spartans clubmates, Catherine Lilburn on 18 minutes and 44 seconds, her first ever sub 19 minutes clocking and third placer Anne Paul who ran 19 minutes and 02 seconds.

On a dry but blusterly night the second in the Furey Insurances 5K series attracted an impressive 119 finishers and a very appreciative crowd of spectators who were treated to some terrific individual battles on the three lap Lisnagelvin course.

Appropriately sponsored by the nearby Longs Supervalu store the race showcased the classy Kenyan who is staying with City of Derry’s Greg Roberts after they met in Kenya last year when the Spartan spent some time training in Africa. Sittuk’s run just two days after a tough Belfast Marathon was impressive and his presence certainly added significantly to the occasion.

He had to work really hard to shake local star Scott Rankin, who boosted by the home support produced a brave effort to keep the Kenyan under pressure for most of the distance. Third placer and fellow Waterside man Noel Logan, was another who performed strongly at the front of the large field.

In fourth place and claiming the M35 prize was Paddy Mhor Doherty with 15 minutes and 46 seconds; Springwell teenager Neil Johnston ran 15 minutes and 55 seconds for fifth and the M20 award; Pius McIntyre completed the top six with 16 minutes and 13 seconds while Cathal McLaughlin, 8th in 16 minutes and 35 seconds was the leading M40 finisher. Martin Dunleavy ran 18 minutes and 24 seconds for the M45 honours; Springwell’s Jim Breen took the M55 prize with 18 minutes and 33 seconds and Billy Orr was the leading M50 on 19 minutes and 50 seconds.

After the top three females came the F35 category winner Letterkenny’s Noreen McGettigan on 19 minutes and 10 seconds; Jackie McGinley ran 20 minutes and 02 seconds to take the F40 age group; on 20 minutes and 53 seconds Hannah McGowan was the first F20; Bridgeen Byrne and Una Gavin were the F45 and F50 winners on 20 minutes and 49 seconds and 22 minutes and 39 seconds.The M60 and M65 titles went to Moville man Seamus McElhinney and Buncrana’s Condy Doherty.

Another feature of the race was the number of first timers to the series and with the Buncrana 5K next one up on Wednesday May 30th the Series organisers have announced a 500 entry limit will apply for the super popular Innishowen race venue. Pre on-line entry can be made to [email protected]. Simply forward your name, date of birth, age on race day and club, if any and you can then pay your entry fee when you pick up your race pack on race night.

The full race results can be viewed on www.sparta-athletics.co.uk

Meanwhile the athletics finals of the UK School Games were staged in Londons Olympic Stadium yesterday (Wednesday) and the nine young local athletics competing for the NI selection fully enjoyed their experience on the brand new track, soon to host the summer Olympic Games. Best efforts appear to have come from Claire Dougherty, who was fourth in the Girls Triple Jump with a 10 metres and 90cm leap and in the 4 by 100 metres Girls Relay, Ciara Armstrong and Megan Devine were on the fourth placed NI squad.