Danny McDaid 15km

July 2009

THE 5th annual Danny McDaid 15k road race-fun run will take place in Letterkenny on Saturday, August 9, and it promises to be the best event to date.

Last year 97 runners went to the line for the prestigious event and organisers are hoping they will have at least 120 participants this year. The event was formally launched on Monday night at the premises of local sponsor, David Crumlish, of Crumlish Appliances and Repairs, Thorn, Letterkenny.

The Danny McDaid 15k is one of the highlights of the racing calendar and attracts top runners from all over the country. It is run in honour of double Olympian and LAC club stalwart, Danny McDaid who competed in the 1972 and 1976 Olympics for Ireland in Berlin and Melbourne.

Speaking at the launch, Letterkenny Athletic Club Chairman, Ciaran O’Donnell, said the event has been growing in popularity ever year since its inception.

“The Danny McDaid 15k carries a special aura and appeal for all runners. It is a top event on the local racing calendar but we’re also appealing to people to come out and just run the course. It is a great race and the numbers are growing every year,” he said.

“We’re delighted to have David Crumlish of Crumlish Appliances and Repairs back on board again this year as our main sponsor for the race. David, is a former club athlete and like us all has huge respect for Danny McDaid and everything he has done for athletics here in Donegal and all over Ireland and further afield. Danny is a great ambassador and role model for us all,” he added.

The race will begin at the Ramada Hotel and the course takes the runners out past Rockhill, Rashedogue, New Mills and the loop is completed past O’Donnell Park and finishes on the Danny McDaid Track at the Aura Leisure Centre.

Speaking at the launch Mr Crumlish said he was delighted to be involved with the event.

‘Danny McDaid is a household name across the country. I’m proud to be associated with such a prestigious event. LAC is a great club and fosters great young talent. As a local businessman I’m always delighted to help out in any way I can as a former club athlete,’ he said.

LAC Public Relations Officer, C.J McGinley, appealed to everyone to come out in numbers and support the event.

“Danny is so highly respected in the community and it is only appropriate that people come out and show their support. If people can’t participate they can come along and line the route and cheer on the participants,” he said.

“It is a great family day and we at LAC are proud to run the race in honour of one of the country’s greatest athletes. Danny ran the Burtonport 5k recently and it was the first time in five years that he raced competively. He has lost none of the old sparkle and we’re hoping he may compete in the race this year which would be a major boost for us all,” he added.

The club will be in touch with local residents along the route to inform them of the approximate times runners will be passing through their area. The local gardai and stewards als do a marvellous job along with Tom Crossan and Neily McDaid to man the course.

The race begins at 11.15 a.m and registration will take place in Aura Leisure Centre from 10 a.m. Further details will appear next week.