Tyrone runners to take on half marathon for charity

A GANG of smiling green and yellow vested runners from Dunamanagh/Aughabrack will soon be taking on the intrepid Waterside Half Marathon to raise funds for local charities and reap the benefits of physical activity.

Clann Na NGael Walk, Jog, Run Club have been a familiar sight at local athletics events for the last eight years, and in that time, they have introduced hundreds of club members to the sport and raised tens of thousands of pounds for local charities.

The club, who place a firm emphasis on the participation and social aspect of running, are taking part in the 41st edition of the Waterside Half in aid of the Foyle Hospice and MacMillan Cancer Support on September 1.

“These are two charities who have directly helped club members living with a cancer diagnosis and we have seen first hand the critical service they provide,” explained club spokesperson and founder member, Brian Kelly.

“Both charities depend on fundraising to survive. Macmillan support many people in our local area who are living with cancer, and the Foyle Hospice have provided palliative care to many family members of the club.

“Between five relay teams and over 20 individual runners we will have almost 40 people taking part on September, and we can’t wait for it.

“The Waterside and the Strabane Lifford Halfs are the two biggest events every year for the club.

“We are blessed to have two great events on our doorstep.”

Brian has been running since 2008, forming the running group within the GAA club in 2016.

Race organisers, Derry City and Strabane District Council, are planning a festival village area in Ebrington Square at the event finish line, and an area has been set aside for a club zone where the various running clubs can set up tents and gazebos to gather in and mix together afterwards.

Clann Na NGael have sourced a tent to be part of that area and Brian is looking forward to the post-race experience in Ebrington and back in Dunamanagh.

“As well as the obvious health and fitness benefits, socially the club has been a brilliant way to bring people together,” he acknowledged.

“Not everyone plays gaelic football so it’s another way to get active through the club,” Brian added.

“We have a lot retired footballers who still want to be active and we have people who have never played or took part in any sports of any kind taking up running and realising that anything is possible with a bit of training and belief.

“There’s also parents of underage players who have been able to run with the club while their youngsters are at training.

“We’re looking forward to having our tent in the club festival village and mixing with the other clubs afterwards, and we’ll all meet up in Donemana to celebrate later that day.”

The Clann Na nGael runners have set up Just Giving page where you can donate to their fundraising exploits.

The 2024 Waterside Half Marathon is set to be the biggest in its history with an expanded field and a number of new features.

Event organisers, Derry City and Strabane District Council, have announced an exciting new route that takes in all four of the city’s bridges, and the race starts and finishes in Ebrington Square.

The event is sold out, however race day information is available on the event website at: derrystrabane.com