Warm-up races for Marathon runners

Indeed the evidence is there for all in the city and district to see every day as preparation picks up ahead of the big day which awaits in June.

An incentive for the runners will be the upcoming warm-up races, the SSE-Airtricity 10K and 10 Mile events set for Sunday, March 9th and Sunday, April 27th.

Both will start and finish in the iconic Ebrington Square, starting at 11am and taking in sections of the actual Marathon route.

Entries will be taken on the day of each race between 9am and 10.30am at Ebrington but it is possible to pre-enter online and pick up the race pack, and pay the entry fees of £8 (10k) and £10 (10mile) on race morning at Ebrington. Simply email your name, age on race day, telephone contact and t-shirt size to [email protected].

There is also an incentive to take on both races, everyone who enters and pays for both races on Sunday, March 9th will be guaranteed a special commerative t-shirt. Too good an offer to miss out on so you know what to do!

Remember these races are also open to all runners and joggers and not confined to the Walled City Marathon entrants.

The 10K course will take in the Waterside Greenway, Peace Bridge, Foyle Greenway and Bay Road Park and you must be aged 16 or over on race day to take part.

The 10 mler will extend to take in the Foyle Bridge plus a loop out and back on Foyle Road before returning via the Peace Bridge to the finish in Ebrington.

The minimum age for the 10 miler is 17 years on race day.

Meanwhile Foyle Valley were once again represented in Donegal at the Lifford 5k Series on Sunday.

Chris McGuinness led the race from start to finish, he opened a considerable gap of some 40 yards from the pursuing pact in the first 1k and he came home in a cracking time of 15.57. Big Packy Deehan also ran for the purple vests on Sunday.