City of Derry Spartans overcame heat and a demanding course to finish sixth in yesterday’s European Champion Clubs’ Half Marathon Championship in Torres Vedras, Portugal. The Northwest club was representing Ireland after winning the national team title at that distance in Donegal last year. The race was held in the Portuguese town, just north of Lisbon, as part of the year-long celebration of Wellington’s victory over the French forces in the Peninsula War exactly two hundred years ago.
Aaron Doherty was the first man across the line for the Derry-based club in 23rd place. The Moyola Valley teacher was timed at 72 minutes 35 seconds for a point to point course that included an number of tortuous climbs and precipitous descents. Doherty had run most of the route in the company three of his club colleagues before moving away in the closing stages.
Emmett McGinty was close behind in 27th with a time of 73:45. Belfast-based solicitor Brendan Murphy receorded a personal best of 74:55 to take 28th. The Derry scoring quartet was completed by Gary Slevin who also set new personal figures of 76:29 in 30th spot.
The race was won by Hermano Ferreira from the Portuguese club Conforlimpa in a World class time of 61:24. However, team victory went to compatriots Club Maratona de Portugal with City of Derry beating off the challenge of both Andorra and San Marino to secure a place in the top half dozen.
Mayo Athletics Club, representing Ireland, took fourth team position in the women’s race held over a 15 kilometre distance. Catherine Conway in ninth was the leading finisher for the Westerners with a 55:22 clocking. Mary Gleeson was twelfth in 56:57 with third scorer Collette Tuohy fourteenth in 58:13. Dulce Felix won the race and led her club Maratona to an impressive double in the team competitions.
Meanwhile Ireland’s Aileen Morrison brought her season to a close in fine style by finishing fourth in the Tongyeong World Cup triathlon. Britain’s Jodie Swallow made an emphatic solo breakaway early on the bike stage to give herself a lead she was never to relinquish subsequently as she broke the tape 90 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.
Triple Olympian Anja Dittmer of Germany saw off the challenge of Spain’s Ainhoa Murua for the silver. Morrison’s fourth spot now puts her firmly in contention for selection for the London Olympics in 2012.