from Athletic Northern Ireland The annual Finn Valley AC 5k has seen many different guises over the years and it has continued to grow and grow into a major community event with 500 approx out and about this last few years young and old walking ,jogging and at the sharp end world class athletes pushing ahead . Philip Deignan is the latest high profile sports star to sign up for the Finn Valley ac 5k on Stephens Day 2pm . Philip who in 2008 competed in Beijing olympics and Giro d Italia and has recently signed with a leading French proffessional team which includes Sastre the 2008 Tour De France winner.
Race Director Patsy Mc Gonagle welcomed the involvement of the Letterkenny cyclist pointing out that with Badminton player Chloe Mc Gee they are currently the top Donegal sports stars competing out of Donegal.
Records for the event show Vivienne Cheryuiot ( Kenya ) 16-14 and Mo Farah ( England ) 13-29-68 as the fastest . It doubles as a charity event on this occassion to aid the family of Noirin Ni Gairbeith a 5yr old girl seriously injured in a traffic accident last Summer now wheelchair bound and thus many family adaptations have to be undertaken .
The local connection is the Mc Intyre family and of course uncle James Mc Intyre has and continues to carry the Valley club colours with distinction . Its a social occassion as those home for christmas meet up and indeed many are just delighted to get out and about after the festivities of the previous day Its in effect a family day so all welcome the challenge to once again get in excess of 500 taking up the challenge and remember in recent years the youngest has been 7 while the oldest to check in was 80 plus so come along anytime after 1pm Stephens day for a 2pm start and encourage your friends .Further details from Finn Valley at 0749132053.