In an impressive display of endurance, Irish 100k national record holder and LAC athlete Ciaran McGonagle secured a third-place finish at the prestigious Anglo Celtic Plate 100k with a time of 06:59:44.
The event, held on Saturday 3rd May at Mallory Park in Leicester, England, saw Ireland’s elite ultra runners compete on the challenging motor racing circuit.
McGonagle, who holds the Irish 100k record with his exceptional 6:50:28 performance, demonstrated why he is Ireland’s premier ultra-distance athletes. His race strategy was a masterclass in ultra-distance pacing. McGonagle opened with a conservative first lap before settling into a remarkably consistent rhythm, climbing from 11th place to 5th during the crucial middle section of the race.
McGonagle’s average pace was 4:12 per kilometer, which seen him overtake his closest competitors and position himself in second place going into the final lap of the race.
During the final lap, Ciaran went to battle with Englands, Shaun Dixon. Having already covered 95km and running out of fuel, this was now a war of attrition. Ciaran crossed the checkered flag for 3rd place in a time of 06:59:44.
The medal haul continued for McGonagle, as the Anglo Celtic Plate doubled as Athletics Ireland 100km National Championships. Ciaran made it 3 in a row, adding to his national titles from 2024 & 2023.
LAC Runners Dominate at Scoil Mhuire Ramelton 5K
The Letterkenny Athletic Club made a powerful showing at Tuesday’s Scoil Mhuire Ramelton 5K, with club members delivering impressive performances across all age categories. On a perfect evening, the runners assembled at the cup and saucer, before the long decent into Ramelton town.
Leading the LAC contingent was junior runner Ewan Summers, who crossed the finish line in an outstanding time of 18:09, securing 6th place overall. Hot on his heels was Dessie Shiels in the M40 category, finishing 7th with a strong time of 18:24.
The club’s M40 category continued to impress with PJ McMenamin and Eamonn McEldowney posting excellent times of 19:02 and 19:10 respectively.
John Devlin completed the course in 20:04 to take 25th position. Paul Toner, fresh from his impressive outing at the National Relays on Sunday, showed remarkable endurance to clock 20:23 in the M50 category, sharing the same time with Peter Gallagher. Ray McDermott (20:45) and junior Henry Lyons (20:46) followed closely behind.
Sinead George finished as the top LAC female in 22:23, outsprinting Paul Lee who crossed the line with a solid 22:25. Alicia McNulty finished with an impressive 22:54, while junior Barnaby Lyons completed the course in 23:06. Con Duffy (M50) and Conor McDaid followed with times of 23:24 and 23:38 respectively.
The club’s female athletes continued to demonstrate their strength with Anne Robinson finishing in 23:48 and Margaret Shiels representing the F50 category with a time of 23:54. Diane Bustard finished in 26:02, followed by Caoimhe Rooney Friel (26:05), Claire Price (26:45), Denise Gallagher (28:07), and Irene McFadden (28:26). The performance of the evening went to Noelle Lynch, who set a massive personal best, crossing the line in 28:26.
Diarmaid Doherty represented the M50 category with a time of 29:10, while Noreen Pinder (F50) and Angela McGee (F40) completed the LAC roster with times of 32:21 and 34:46 respectively.
Coláiste Ailigh 5K
Letterkenny Athletic Club members delivered impressive performances at Thursday’s Coláiste Ailigh 5K, with Philip McGee leading the club’s charge with a stellar second-place finish in a time of 16:53.
McGee’s exceptional performance was complemented by fellow LAC member Dessie Shiels, who claimed fourth place overall and topped the M40 category with a time of 18:52. Shiels demonstrated remarkable consistency and endurance, having completed the Scoil Mhuire Ramelton 5K just 48 hours earlier in 18:24. Whether chasing PBs or closing cases, Shiels consistently makes a strong argument for finishing near the top of the field.
Colly O’Donnell continued the club’s strong showing, securing 9th place overall and performing admirably in the M50 category with a time of 19:42, proving he’s much better at finding the racing line than parking spaces at Aura. Peter Gallagher (M40) followed closely behind, taking 12th position in 20:48, while Cian McGonagle led the junior men with a time of 21:19 for 13th place.
Robert Kavanagh (M50) secured 15th place with a solid 21:59, followed by Reuban O’Domhnaill who added to the junior success with a 16th place finish in 22:04. The club’s veterans continued to impress as Frank Pinder (M60) delivered a strong performance, finishing 20th overall in 22:47.
In the women’s field, Eabhan Walsh led the club’s female juniors, crossing the line in 24:17 for 36th place overall. Stella McCole finished as the second LAC woman in 24:27, claiming 38th position overall and performing strongly in the F40 category.
Caroline McGonagle (F40) completed the course in 27:19, while Jean McGlinchey led the F60 category with a time of 28:24. Mary Higgins represented the F50 category admirably with a time of 29:21, and Noreen Sharkey performed well in the F60 category, finishing in 29:25.
LETTERKENNY AC CHARGE AT NORTH WEST 10K
Over 1,200 participants took to the streets of Letterkenny on Bank Holiday Monday, May 5th for the annual North West 10k under perfect sunny conditions. The popular charity road race once again attracted runners and walkers from across the region, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the town.
Danny Mooney secured second place, finishing in an impressive time of 30:57. Sean McGinley of Finn Valley AC outkicked Mooney in the final 400m to claim victory in 30:51, while Declan Ferry of Rosses AC rounded out the podium in third place.
Eoghain McGinley secured fourth place overall with a time of 33:10, followed closely by Philip McHugh who claimed seventh position in 34:01. This was the 6th head-to-head in 2025 between the LAC club captains, this instalment sees McGinley double his lead to 4-2.
Michael Black demonstrated exceptional resilience by finishing with a solid 34:54, particularly impressive considering he was just eight days removed from his London Marathon effort. John Foley completed the course in 35:29 to claim 14th position overall.
Nakita Burke made a triumphant return to competitive racing, claiming the women’s title with an exceptional time of 35:28. Noeleen Scanlan followed as the club’s second female finisher with a strong time of 37:31, showcasing the impressive depth in the women’s ranks.
Cian Friel celebrated another personal best performance, crossing the line in 36:54. His dedication to training clearly paying dividends on the day. Michael Harkin finished strongly in 37:53, while Patrick Brennan (38:12) and Enda McLaughlin (38:58) added to the club’s strong showing.
In the masters categories, Barry Mackey demonstrated remarkable endurance in the M60 division with a time of 40:45, while PJ McMenamin (41:18) and Adrian Mullally (41:22) both crossed the line in the 41-minute range. Brian Thursby-Phelam (41:48) and Mark Nee (42:06) represented the club well in the M50 category.
Paul McMonagle (42:16), Sean McFadden (43:04), and Ciaran Bannan (43:14) all delivered solid performances in the M40 category, finishing within seconds of each other. Mark O’Donnell (43:22), Adrian Callaghan (43:29), Gary Neely (43:35), Michael Mooney (43:57), and Ciaran O’Donnell (44:07) all maintained the club’s strong presence in the middle of the field.
Marie Boyle led the F40 category for Letterkenny AC with an impressive 45:23, while Peter Gallagher (45:34), Robert Kavanagh (46:16), and Ciaran Liddy (48:16) all finished strongly for the club. The M60 category saw Frank Pinder (48:26) and Liam Wiseman (48:40) cross the line with determined efforts.
Alicia McNulty was another standout female performer for the club, finishing in 49:59, while Con Duffy (50:35), Anne Robinson (50:42), and Stella McCole (51:20) all delivered determined performances in their respective categories. Frances Judge (51:32) and Margaret Shiels (51:38) represented the club admirably in the F50 division.
The club’s community spirit was on full display as runners of all abilities proudly wore the Letterkenny AC colors. Kenny King (53:33), Diane Bustard (54:18), and Colm Rafferty (54:49) all finished strong, while Martin O’Donnell (55:12) and Doireann Ni Riain (56:01) showed great determination. James Doherty represented the M70 category with distinction, finishing in 59:46. The F60 category saw strong performances from Breda Mulgrew (58:44), Jean McGlinchy (1:01:42), and Noreen Sharkey (1:02:03).
As the event concluded, Letterkenny AC’s John Anthoney McFadden and Laura McFadden crossed the finish line together in a display of club camaraderie, completing the course in 1:40:41.
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