Enda claims Marathon win in Carrickfergus

THERE was some mid-week marathon action for a few Lifford Strabane AC master athletes as they took to the start line of a very cold EAMS World Marathon Day 2020 in Carrickfergus last Wednesday.

Lifford Strabane AC’s Enda McNulty was the overall winner in a super time of 3:06:55 hours, just ahead of runner-up and team-mate Geoff Sproule in 3:30:37, followed by Gerard Campbell in fourth overall, taking his tally of marathons completed to date to a total of 53, in a time of 3:58:14.

On the same day, juvenile athletes Elsa Moore and Conor MacAleer represented their respective schools at the Ulster Schools’ Cross Country in Mallusk.

Elsa competed in the Minor Girls race which had a total of 123 competitors, finishing in an impressive 4th place overall. Conor had a strong race finishing 39th overall out of a field of 110 in a very highly competitive field.

Saturday saw Lifford Strabane AC’s senior high jumper Shannon Craig in action at the Irish Life Health National Indoor Senior Championships in Abbotstown. Shannon placed 7th overall jumping 1.65 metres.

Sisters Chloe and Ella Costello made the trip to the Scottish Indoor Championships in Glasgow. Ella competed in the Girls U15 Long Jump resulting in a top 8 placing and had strong runs in both the Girls U15 200m and 60m Hurdles.

Chloe made it onto the podium competing in the Girls U13 Long Jump with a new personal best to place second overall and eighth overall in the Girls U13 60m Hurdles with a personal best in this event also. Both athletes will now compete at the upcoming Irish Indoor Championships and use the experience they gained this weekend in future competitions.

At the Bridge Hotel in Tullamore newcomer Finn O’Neill was awarded the All Ireland Juvenile All Star Award for Co Derry 2019. This accolade is a just reward for this young athletes’ achievements in 2019.

The final piece of action came from Lifford Strabane AC’s Elaine Connor who took to the starting line of the ‘Back to Basics 10K’ in Victoria Park, Belfast. This athlete has made great progression in her racing times since joining the club late into the 2019 season running a personal best time of 40:52 minutes in this race, taking first place overall to win the ladies race 3 minutes ahead of her nearest rival.

The Couch to 5K Programme continues on both Tuesday and Thursday evenings, starting at 6:30pm.

Lifford Strabane AC’s Awards Night is today at The Carrig Inn from 6:30pm – tickets priced at €5 or €20 for family ticket.

The club have organised a bus to Bundoran for the annual Cara Bundoran 10K/10Miler Road Race taking place on Saturday, March 14th. Anyone wishing to avail of the bus can they please add their name to the sheet on the noticeboard ASAP.

The club’s Throws Fest has been confirmed to take place on Saturday, May 2. Anyone wishing to confirm their attendance can do so by messaging the club Facebook page.

Training (weather permitting): Juvenile training Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:30pm – for athletes aged 12yrs and under will be held in Lifford Community Centre (Old Bakery) on Mondays at 6:30pm sharp. Adult training, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6.45pm. New members always welcome. All training sessions are coach led.