Gransha to host 5K race thisweekend

And the usual big entry is expected for this popular event - a long standing Foyle Hospice fundraiser organised by Paula McGilloway.

Entries will be taken on the day, from 9.30am at the U3A Foyle premises and the race starts at 11am.

Spot prizes are the tradition at this one and the post-race refreshments are legendary. The course is flat and fast so an opportunity for personal bests - why not have a go?

There is also the first of the four pre-June Mini Marathon Runs, which will identify nine to 17 year-olds keen to get involved in the Kids Mini Marathon to be staged in conjunction with the SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon on Sunday, June 1st next.

To enter just come along to Gransha this Saturday from 9.30am and sign up. There is no entry fee for this 1K run, which starts at 11.05am.

The 1K starts after the 5K runners have completed their circuit of “the Horseshoe” in the Gransha grounds and will be completed in good time to welcome the 5K finishers back to the finish line at the U3A Foyle building.

Meanwhile the male age group winners at Sunday’s SEE Airtricity 10K race were Paul McGlinchey, James Crampsey, Seamus McCallion and Cahir Mullan who was the top M16-19 finisher. Henrietta Elves, Grainne Neill, Cecelia Deehan and Laura McGill took the female age group honours.

Karol Doherty spun his Wheelchair round the course to also take a category award while his brother Gareth actually ran the entire 10K backwards in a swift 46 minutes!

The second Marathon warm-up race is on Sunday, April 27, also out of Ebrington and will utilise more sections of the June 26.2 mile course.

There was no joy for the locals who contested the Irish Schools Cross Country championships in Cork on Saturday.

Amy Jackson, Michael Melarkey and Clodagh Laverty all unable to bring home any medals in their respective races.