Foyle Valley AC runners and their supporters, family and friends turned out in force once again for the Omagh Half Marathon on Saturday with over 30 runners taking on the challenge of this new but still testing course. There were many outstanding Valley performers on the day but pride of place must go to the following trio, led home by Paddy Nicell round in 1.21.24 and 37th overall in a field of nearly 1200, St Johnston man, Dara Mc Nulty, round in 1.21.44, 39th overall and not far behind these two, Ciaran Graham, with a tremendous personal best of 1.23.41. Ciaran Smith, also with a personal best of 87.52, was just outside the top 100 in the race. Garvin Doherty with 89:56 managed to get home in just under the “magic” ninety minutes A cluster of Foyle Valley runners then achieved times just outside the 90 minutes barrier :, Jackie Coyle 90.59 , Seamus Doherty with 91.13, David Campbell 91. 30, Chris Ryan 91.56, Barry Dinsmore 91.39, Colly Doherty with his 91.55 (another personal best) and Brian Baker in 91.44. Paul Slevin struggled towards the end and came home somewhat frustrated with his 93 minutes. Packie Deehan finished like a powerhouse for 95 minutes. St Joseph’s Boys student Dessie Hegarty overcame recent training difficulties to achieve 97 minutes as did a steady Mark Mc Clintock. Joe Pewtner, with his mind fixed on the London Marathon, finished in a comfortable 1.38. Sandra Mc Keever had a strong run narrowly dipping under the 100 minutes. Kyle Colby clocked a fine 1.42 with Michael Cartin further back at 1.48 Window cleaner John Bonner once again showed guts and determination for his new personal best of 1.48. David Wylie came home just under the 1.50 Michael Clifford arguably had a bad day at the office with his 1.50. Foyle Valley’s very own bus driver and triathlete, Tony Morrison recently just back in training, completed the course in 2 hours ten

Teamwork

Other notable achievements on the day were those of Foyle Valley females Deirdre Quigg and Miriam McFadden. Deirdre was paced round the Omagh course by her partner, Barry Smith, to achieve an exciting new personal best of 97 minutes while birthday girl, Miriam McFadden, pulled out all the stops to get Valley stalwart, Billy Orr, coming back from injury, round in 1.43. Veteran of 40 + full marathons Harry Mc Nulty, still recovering from a severe injury, paced Lisa Feeney round the course achieving their agreed target time of under 1.50 with big hearted Pat Feeney travelling with them to make up a satisfied if exhausted trio at the end of the 13.1 miles. Trish McClintock had a challenging run: “Omagh was a tough course. I came home in 1.45.12 for a course personal best but there was just one too many hills. I’m glad I did it though”. Foyle Valley athletes , many running to raise funds for the Foyle Hospice, now have their sights sets on the London Marathon which takes place on the 16th of April, followed closely by the Belfast Marathon with the Wilkie’s Run “Out the Line” not too far away either.