An understandably  emotional Martin Gallagher senior on behalf of the entire Gallagher family was heartfelt in his thanks  to all who had contributed to making this year’s second  Marty’s Run such a success.  He said, “ We as a family are again all very touched by the big numbers of people, who in spite of the drizzly weather,  have turned out  today to take part whether walking or running-  our sincere thanks to all of you”

The second annual 5k Marty’s Run/Walk organized
by Foyle Valley AC  in memory of their late colleague and friend, Marty Gallagher, took place yesterday starting from just opposite St Brigid’s College on the Glengalliagh Road and looping around Skeogh Road back to the Complex, roads that the late Marty would have known like the  back of his hand.

Like last year, registration was busy with more than 600 runners and walkers taking part  and it is  clear that Marty’s Run has now become  both a major community event as well as a major athletics event. Foyle Valley AC is hugely grateful to the large team of volunteer race administrators, marshals and stewards-mostly Foyle Valley club members- who stepped into place to respond so professionally to this fantastic turn-out on a damp day.

Club secretary, Joe Morrison, commented “We had always known that any event with Marty’s name attached to it would have a good response from the many people in Derry who knew him. Not only was Marty a much admired athlete among his peers, he was held in high esteem, as a person, by everyone who ever came in contact with him.”

On the day, until the hooter sounded, the competitive run seemed almost secondary to the feeling that flowed amongst the 600 runners and walkers there to remember Marty Gallagher.

The race itself was a closely fought battle between two of the city’s finest young runners with Sparta athlete, Connor Bradley winning  the men’s race in a time of 15. 45   narrowly edging out Foyle Valley’s Scott Rankin not far away in second at 15. 53.

Other male category winners were, M35, Declan Reed, (fresh from a wee twenty mile run that morning)  M40 Colin Roberts , M45 Paddy Nicell  M50  a gleeful Damian McGinty, M55 Peter Lilburn, M60 Eamonn Baker, M65 Trevor Mc Clay and Shane Mc Gowan once again landing the  M U18 prize

City of Derry’s Catherine Lilburn comfortably won the ladies trophy in 19. 07 with Dolores Quinn  of Foyle Valley following her home in 19. 40. Young Aoife Laverty, of Sparta was  third overall in 19:51  Aoife once again scooped the under 18 yrs prize . The continually improving Trish Mc Clintock won the F35, with Jackie Mc Ginley winning F40,  Lorraine Carlin F45, Una Gavin F50, ,the peerless Roisin Lynch F60 and Aoife Laverty F U18.

Foyle Valley AC  wishes to thank again the many sponsors who supported the event, Derry City Council, especially the Templemore Sports Complex staff, and St. Johns Ambulance Service for their invaluable presence.

see gallery for race photo's,

Results Excel