Big tests for local athletes

Letterkenny hosts Sunday’s annual Danny McDaid 15K, a popular event which pulls in a terrific mix of road runners from the North West and beyond.

It could be more popular this year as it is just three weeks away from the new to the athletics calendar, Donegal Marathon, also in Letterkenny and set for Sunday, August 24th.

Indeed intending participants in the local Waterside Half Marathon on Sunday, September 14th, may also look at Sunday’s 15K as an important step on their training programme.

The City of Derry Spartans men’s squad will be in Tullamore on Sunday for the National Track & Field League Division One final, having qualified in fourth place of the eight competing clubs.

The Spartans will field a potent mix of youth and experience, albeit minus a few big hitters, and with a bit of luck and inspiration could get into a podium position.

Nenagh Olympic and Donore Harriers finished top of the pack after the two qualifying rounds which took the local lads to Sligo and Dublin, but the Spartans were only a single point off third placed Youghal AC and in what should be a hotly contested final, anything is possible.

The points are calculated on 15 scoring events with big performances right across the board needed to stay in the running.

Inevitibly most clubs are stronger in certain events than others, the local guys are weak in the throwing disciplines and will look more to the track events for the big points.

However every event place and point is vital to the overall score and on a good day, who knows!

Both the annual Dessies Run and the aforementioned Waterside Half Marathon are rapidly approaching and these significant local road races, on Tuesday, August 26th and Sunday, September 14th respectively, should yet again pull in big numbers.

Both of course are based in and around the Gransha Grounds and are long established local favourites, with the Dessies Run 10k distance ideal as a sighter just over two weeks before the classic 13.1 mile Waterside Half.

Details of the Dessies Run entry process will be announced shortly and of course entries will be taken as usual on the night but the Waterside entries have already hit the 500 mark so early submission of the entry form, either online or via hard copy to Lisnagelvin Leisure Centre is recommended.

Entry Forms are available at all Derry City Council Leisure facilities.