Two in a row for Rankin

This race was a 5km distance to follow the 3km distance the previous week and the bright sunny conditions were great for most athletes but a sultry, heavy heat made conditions just a little too warm for some.

The flat out and back course benefitted from a tail wind on the way out towards Carrigans but the tables were turned on the way back with a stiff headwind for everyone to contend with.

First home once again in the men’s race was Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin who made it two out of two in the ‘Out the Line Series’, in a time of 15 minutes and 33 seconds.

Noel Logan of City of Derry Spartans came second in 15 minutes and 40 seconds and Pius McIntyre continued his excellent season with a third place finish in 16 minutes and 32 seconds.

Foyle Valley’s Ryan Snodgrass took the over/35 category in 17 minutes and 32 seconds and team mate Marty Dunleavy took the over/45 category for the second week in a row in 18 minutes and 37 seconds.

Unattached runner Tony Edgar took the over/40 category in 22 minutes and 5 seconds. Foyle Valley veteran Kevin O’Neill kept up his impressive return to running by taking the over/50 category in 26 minutes and 7 seconds, while the evergreen Christie McMonagle continued to dominate the over/60 age category with a 20 minutes and 10 seconds.

The women’s race was well supported with, once again, a great turn out from the Old Library Trust group who have become a noticeable and lively presence on Derry’s streets of late. Many of these women have never run nor completed a race before and they are definitely in danger of being bitten by the running bug!

First home in the women’s race was last week’s over/45 category winner, Lorraine Carlin who posted 23 minutes and 6 seconds. Second women to finish was Clare Harkin in 23 minutes and 50 seconds with Rachel O’Donnell, finishing in third place in 24 minutes and 32 seconds.

Grainne McGinley of Old Library Trust took the over/35 prize in 24 minutes and 53 seconds and Martina McCafferty of Foyle Valley A.C. won the over/40 category.

Fiona Prender and Patricia Mullin, both of Inishowen A.C. were the over/45 and over/50 prize winners. Last but not least, another Old Library Trust runner, Anne Hutton secured the over/55 category prize after a tremendous effort.

Next up for Foyle Valley A.C. is the last race in this three race series this Saturday.

Registration in Long Tower Youth Club from 9.30am with race starting at 11am. The race distance is increased again, this time to 5 miles.