Wednesday the 29th of May is the date for the 11th annual Buncrana 5km Road Race and Fun Run. As ever, sponsored by Sean Furey Insurances of Buncrana and Carndonagh, the 2014 edition of the event promises to be as popular as ever with club runners and recreational athletes alike. Over the last ten years, the race has become a highlight in the Northwest racing calendar due to the proven fast course and the excellent organisation.

2013 was another record breaking year with Letterkenny AC’s Ciaran Doherty running a new Irish record for the course of 14.34 mins to win from Spartan Declan Reed on 14.48. It is worth noting that these men are 39 and 40 years old respectively! While the speed of their runs was questioned in some quarters, both ran similar times on the track shortly after. In the same race Scott Rankin ran 15.00 for 3rd place. This year these three are likely to do battle once again. Rankin has just edged out Reed a number of times this year so far and has a recent 8.31 PB for 3k on the track. Reed is also in great form winning the Irish masters Cross Country title this year and last week winning the Dublin 10k track championships in 31.30. Doherty is also in excellent shape and recently went sub 15 mins in the Ballyshannon 5k. Local hopes rest with the evergreen Pauric McKinney who is a former three time winner of the event and was 5th last year. Others to look out for include any of the Annadale Striders or St Malachy’s boys, who, if they make the trip across the Sperrins, mean business. The men’s team race was won very convincingly by City of Derry Spartans last year with 6 in the top 10 and all sub 16 mins. Both Foyle valley and Letterkenny AC will surely have something to say about the team battle in 2014.

Last year the ladies were also in flying form. Lifford’s Anne Marie McGlynn ran an excellent 16.32 last year to finish 18th overall in what was the second fastest performance ever by a female on the course. This year McGlynn has been in even better form and could challenge former Olympian Maria McCambridge’s 2010 record of 16 mins and 7 seconds. Also in the reckoning could be three time winner and no 3 on the all-time list Finn Valley’s Therese Mc Gloin who ran 16.35 in 2010. Interesting to note that McGloin got married to Ciaran Doherty during the year and you wouldn’t get good odds betting against and husband and wife double victory on the 28th. Other contenders include Lifford’s Natasha Adams, Finn Valley’s Helen Stockdale and Springwell’s Gemma Turley. Last year the Inishowen ladies were surprising but deserving winners of the team race.

Records

In 2012 the Buncrana public were treated to a little demonstration of the East African dominance when Kenyan Runner Freddie Keron Sittuk posted 14 mins 18 sec to win. The organisers have deemed Freddie’s time to be an all-comers record for the course with Doherty’s 14.34 being an Irish record. They continue to offer €100 bonus to anyone who can break either record. In addition they offer €200 to anyone who can break 14 mins! Kenyan Freddie Sittuk is back in the country at the moment and fresh from winning the Belfast marathon may be lured down to have another crack at it. The ladies course record is no less impressive. Letterkenny AC’s former Olympian Maria McCambridge broke the record in 2010 running an excellent 16 mins and 7 seconds. The same bonus is on offer for the ladies.

Race for everyone

Despite all this talk of records and the fleet of foot, the main aim of this race has always been to provide competition for all levels of runners and joggers. It doesn’t matter if you have just started jogging and have to take walk breaks every so often, you are more than welcome to Buncrana. The only thing that we ask is that you do attempt to run/jog the 5km. It doesn’t matter if you have to walk a bit in the middle but this is not a walking event. Also worth noting that due to Athletic Association of Ireland (AAI) rules, no athlete under 16 years of age will be allowed to compete.

The race is also number 8 of the Donegal Athletics Board’s Summer Grand Prix series which this year comprises a staggering 55 races. In addition to this, there are literally hundreds of fund raising road events being staged across the NW. Due to the huge number of events happening this year, the organisers of the Furey Insurances Series have decided to cancel the whole series and just retain the Buncrana event. This event is not one to bring the dog on a lead or the wain in the pram to but is designed for ANYONE who would like an opportunity to see where they are at. Don’t buy into the scare mongering that this is only for the speedy ones or that 5k races are “too fast”. Everyone has a right to race/run/jog/waddle the Buncrana 5k. Go for it!

Event Details

Wednesday 28th May 2013. Registration from 5.30pm at Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, adjacent to Buncrana Leisure Centre. Entry fee €10/£9stg, Chip timing in operation. Race starts at 7.30 sharp. Refreshments provided after in Scoil Mhuire. Showers available in Buncrana Leisure Centre. Pre-race entries can be emailed to furey5kentry@gmail.com — simply state your name, gender, age on race day and club! These must be received by 6pm on Tuesday the 27th May. Your race number can be picked up on the night when payment is made. Due to the large numbers expected please help us and yourselves by pre-entering! Any of those who intend to register on the night please get there early as we will be closing registration at 7.10pm sharp and don’t want to have to disappoint you. Thanks

The Sean Furey Insurances Buncrana 5k is organised by Eoghan and Dara Furey with the help of City of Derry Spartans AC, Scoil Mhuire Buncrana, Buncrana Leisure Centre and the help of the local community.

This is an event for everyone regardless of what level of runner you think you are. No more excuses - too fast, too far, not far enough (?), I’ve no speed, I’ll be last! We have heard them all and refute them all. If you can cover three miles in training then you have a right to be there! If you have never tried a 5k or feel your PB is up for review then no better place to be.

We organise everything except the weather! How you run is up to you!

For further details contact race directors Eoghan and Dara Furey. Mobile: +35387 9474883 or  +353866061514