Letterkenny Athletic Club Notes

One of our Masters runners (O60 category) John Hughes made the journey to County Tyrone and the Sperrin Harriers Winter League 5 mile trail race in An Creagán. On a course which was narrow in parts, twisty and occasionally mucky it was generally a good trail surface on which to compete. John crossed the line in 35.49. 

At the National Masters Barry Mackey clocked a time of 5.23.69 in the 1500m over 60s category whilst the winner was David Clarke of NBH in a time of 4.52.64. Barry went on to win the bronze medal in the 3000m M60 in a time of 11:29. 

Both Letterkenny AC men’s and women’s team have booked spots in the final of the National Indoor League. LAC competed in round two of the League at the TUS in Athlone on Sunday, after which the men’s team are ranked fourth and the women in eighth. Both will now go to the National Indoor Arena in Dublin for the final on February 3. 

On Sunday, Odhran Grimes, Ryan Canning, Joseph Aidoo and Sheldon Nyoni won their 4x200m heat and scored fourth overall in 1:32.99. Nyoni was fourth in his 60m sprint, clocking 7.20 seconds before going out to 5.86m in the long jump and John McCallion stormed to fourth in the 1500m, going 4:06.77. Danny Sharkey was fourth in the men’s 1500m walk, finishing in 11:02.51 with Canning was fourth in a 400m heat. Aidoo placed with in the high jump, clearing the bar at 1.65m with Grimes reaching out to 7.14m in the shot. In her first ever 400m, Erin Friel clocked 59.28 seconds to score eight points with a second-place finish in her heat. 

The LAC women’s 4x200m relay team came second in their heat and seventh overall with Katie Elliott, Kathryn McDevitt, Erin Friel and Fern Duffy running 1:48.74. Friel finished fourth in a 60m sprint, crossing the line in 8.07 seconds. Nadiia Lypa came seventh in the 1500m walk, stopping the clock at 11:00.92 and Anna Russell was ninth over 1500m in 5:10.22. Elliott went over at 1.45m for seventh in the high jump while McDevitt threw the shot put out to 6.73m for four points and jumped 4.01m for four points in the long jump. 

LAC meets Tuesday at the Aura 6.30pm for an interval running session, Thursday evening for a hill run at 6pm, Sunday morning at 8am and 9am for a long run. New members are always welcome. All runs start at the Aura. All levels catered for and encouraged. 

Fit 4 Life which is run by LAC in conjunction with the Donegal Sports Partnership takes place every Monday at 5.45pm on the track at the Aura Leisure Centre Letterkenny. The aim of the programme is to reach out to those who wish to improve their fitness and all are most welcome any Monday they choose to attend. Fit 4 Life is not about speed but fitness and the coaches from LAC particularly welcome newcomers. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.