Wilkies Classic 5 mile run / 5km walk

Hot on the heels of his victory in race 2 of the popular Furey 5k series, Foyle Valley’s talented athlete; Scott Rankin made it a double-double with another victory in the annual Foyle Valley Wilkies Classic to make it two victories in just over a week.

It was certainly a case of déjà-vu as Rankin repeated the back to back victories he enjoyed in the same two consecutive races last year. To complete the sequence, City of Derry’s much improved athlete Paddy ‘Mor’ Doherty also managed to repeat his runner up placing achieved last year.

However, this year’s race was very far removed from the victory procession of last year. Straight from the off, the two athletes became locked in a personal duel leaving a clear and growing distance from the rest of the field. The first half of the race was spent ‘feeling’ each other out and at the turn Paddy ‘Mor’ decided to up the ante and as he increased the pace he put serious pressure on the younger athlete. Foyle Valley’s Rankin certainly appeared to struggle to contain his City of Derry rival and had to dig very deep just to hold on and try to contain him.

But hold on he certainly did and more than that he roared back to life with a sensational final mile to just pip Paddy ’Mor’, who still managed to push him all the way to the finish. Both athletes finished with sub 26 minute times reflecting the high quality of the tussle and gave the watching crowd a great spectacle as they fought tooth and nail to the finish line. Another Wilkies Classic encounter!

With a field of 105 runners and nearly 50 participating in the walk the competition continued all the way down the field. Pius McIntyre and Cathal McLaughlin fought a ding dong battle to the line for third place with Foyle Valley’s McLaughlin just edging it in the final straight for third. Ryan Gallagher fought like a lion to overhaul mentor Seamus McAneny, Gerry Duddy just pipped James Crampsey and Martin Dunleavy edged out Dessie McShane. The lady athletes produced some sparkling performances with athletes from all over the province. Gemma Turley of Springwell AC led home the ladies followed by Lagan Valley’s Fiona McCourt and City of Derry’s Catherine Lilburn close behind in third.

The list of personal duels didn’t end at the finish line as back at the Long Tower Community Youth Club over tea and biscuits the details were counted and re-counted and opinions sought and given. Janice Cooper and her team of volunteers offered refreshments and hospitality to match the high standards shown during the race itself. A great evening was complete and another great Wilkies Classic concluded.

Race Results

Wilkies Race video

Category prizes were awarded as follows:

M35 Paddy ‘Mor’ Doherty (City of Derry), M40 Cathal McLaughlin (Foyle Valley), M45 Gerry Duddy (City of Derry), M50 Eric Montgomery (Lagan Valley), M55 Sammy McAneny (City of Derry), M65 Christy McMonagle (City of Derry)
F35 Trish McClintock (Foyle Valley), F40 Martina McMullen (Foyle Valley), F45 Kate Meehan (Foyle Valley), F50 Gloria Donaghy (Finn Valley AC)

Next race up is race three of the Furey 5k series in Buncrana which was a major point of post race discussions. Wednesday 26th May promises another evening of high drama on another fast and fair course. Anticipation was the parting feeling of the athletes with next Wednesday’s Buncrana 5K and a summer full of local racing on the horizon.