Donegal Half Marathon director recalls work and vision of the late Dessie Larkin
The work of the late Dessie Larkin in helping to establish the Donegal Half Marathon in 2014 was recalled this week by race director, Brendan McDaid.
“Originally, it was Dessie who came up with the idea of the Donegal Marathon along with Paddy Hannigan. After the first couple of years, it was decided to go with the half marathon only and ten years on, we are delighted that the half is still going strong,” the race director commented.
“Dessie said he wanted the event to be known as ‘the people’s race’ and we have done our best to hold true to that aspiration,” he added.
“Dessie and Paddy had great vision – that’s how it all started. Dessie then approached Damien Daly from the Kernan Retal Group to see if they would be interested in getting involved and lending some support. They kindly agreed and have been the main sponsor for the last number of years. Dessie also got Donegal County Council and Donegal Sports Partnership involved. Having the backing of those organisations made it much easier to pull the race together and gave us at Letterkenny Athletics Club the confidence to get involved and be part of it,” Brendan commented.
“We have a hardworking committee which is made up of individuals from different backgrounds who bring different views – having that mix on the committee is crucial to having different views and perspectives.
“We cater for the fun runner, the social runner, the club runner and the elite and that is why the race continues to attract large numbers. The buzz for us as a committee is seeing hundreds of people coming to Letterkenny and taking their place on the start line on race day. The success of one year gives us the get-up-and-go approach to get ready and prepare for the following year,” he added.
This year’s Donegal Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, August 25th, in Letterkenny. The event will have a 9.20 am start and race headquarters will be based at the Aura Leisure Centre. to edit.

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The organisers of the 2024 Donegal Half Marathon are expecting a large entry for this year’s event that takes place on Sunday, August 25th.
Looking ahead to the Letterkenny-based race, which is being held in association with the Kernans Retail Group, Donegal Half Marathon race director, Brendan McDaid, said: “We are just over 12 weeks out from the 2024 event, and we are gearing up for another big crowd. This race was first held in 2014 and is now well established on the racing calendar. It’s great to be celebrating ten years of the Donegal Half Marathon. Even during Covid, we managed to keep the race going – we had 220 who did it virtually in 2020.”
“Last year, the Donegal Half Marathon was established as a Donegal Athletics Board County championship race, and this is generating a big interest among clubs. The organising committee is always looking at ways to improve the race. In 2022 we made a few changes to the route which resulted in a flatter and faster course and that was well received by the runners and walkers. Our aim is to pull together an event that will give the participants a good experience. We’ve had people travel from all over and we are looking forward to welcoming runner from near and far to Letterkenny on the last Sunday in August,” he added.
Pointing out that it’s a busy time on the local road racing circuit, Brendan continued: “There are plenty of races taking place around the region. For those planning to take on the challenge of the Donegal Half Marathon in three months, now is the ideal time to start preparing. Almost 400 completed the Donegal Half Marathon in 2023 and we are planning for a similar field this year. We have the signs up around Letterkenny and the entries are coming in at steady rate.”
The Donegal Half Marathon is headquartered at the Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny and has a 9.20 am start.
To enter, follow the link below:
https://eventmaster.ie/event/9qPqhw5HWJ
To access the QR code, follow the link below:
https://eventmaster.ie/event/9qPqhw5HWJ/qrcode

This year’s Donegal Half Marathon, which will be held in association with the Kernan Retail Group, will take place on Sunday, August 25th in Letterkenny.
The 2024 event was launched in Kernan’s Bistro at Letterkenny Retail Park on Friday, March 8th.
In his welcoming address, Donegal Half Marathon Chairman, Myles Sweeney, said it was fitting that the launch was being held on International Women’s Day and during Women In Sport Week.
“We have been coordinating a lot of women’s events over the past week across Donegal and we are trying to get even more women involved in this year’s Donegal Half Marathon,” the Donegal Sports Partnership Coordinator commented.
“The Donegal Half Marathon is a longstanding event and the brainchild of the late Dessie Larkin. We’re delighted to have Mary here with us who is on the organising committee and representing the Larkin family. Dessie was a great friend of the marathon and a great friend of sport. He was really committed to sport in Donegal and his legacy lives on now through the Donegal Half Marathon. We have kept it a community marathon and it has really blossomed over the last ten years. It is very much the people’s marathon as Dessie rightly called it at the time,” the chairman said.
Pointing out that many groups and organisations contribute to the success of the Donegal Half Marathon, he continued: “Kernan’s, Optum, Letterkenny CDP, Red Cross, the Gardai, Century Cinemas, Donegal Volunteer Centre, Red Cross, Donegal County Council, Fáilte Ireland, Watson Hire and Highland Bakery all play their part in making it such a great spectacle. We are grateful for the support we get from everyone and are also very appreciative of the DFI grant from Donegal County Council. We thank the members for their ongoing support.”
“Without the volunteers we wouldn’t have a half marathon. John Curran and his team at the Donegal Volunteer Centre provide us with a lot of support. It’s also good to see Neily McDaid here. Neily is the chief steward and along with Gerard McGinley they look after the marshalling end of things which is so important. A lot of work goes into the event every year. We have a good and hardworking committee, and we never seem to fall out which is good,” he added.
“Over the last few years, we have been working closely with Fáilte Ireland to highlight iconic sites in Donegal along the Wild Atlantic Way. Over the last three years, we’ve used Malin Head, Sliabh Liag and Fanad Lighthouse on our t-shirts and on our medals. This year we are staying local, and the point selected is the New Mills Corn and Flax Mills located next to the home of our ambassador, Danny McDaid,” Mr. Sweeney said.
Speaking at the launch, Danny McDaid said: “I suppose we don’t shout enough about the history we have on our doorstep like the flax mills at New Mills. I don’t think it’s being pushed enough and it’s up to people like us to promote it more. There will be up to 500 medals with the image of the flax mills at New Mills as its centrepiece handed out on race day and I think they will be a collector’s item and invaluable in the years to come.”
“Dessie always referred to the race as the people’s marathon and I’m sure he would have been excited about New Mills being part of the event, given that he lived out there and that his family roots are in the Glenswilly and New Mills area,” the race ambassador added.
Mayor of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Cllr Kevin Bradley, who started the 2023 Donegal Half Marathon, described the event as brilliant.
“It’s a very, very good event and everyone competing were excited to be part of it all last year,” he commented.
Urging people to visit the flax mills at New Mills, Cllr Bradley added: “It’s a fantastic tourist attraction and it’s free to visit. It’s great to see the Donegal Half Marathon going from strength to strength, and it’s nice that Mary is here and carrying on the good work started by Dessie.”
Speaking on behalf of Kernan’s, Damien Daly said: “It’s a privilege to be involved. It’s six years now since we got the phone call from Dessie and we couldn’t say ‘no’. It has grown from then. It’s a community event we can all look forward to over the next six months. We help the Finn Harps Academy and a number of GAA clubs around the county, and this type of community event is the perfect fit for us. On a personal note, I want to thank Cathal Curran on behalf of Kernan’s for what he does for this event and other events outside of his working day. Thanks also to the committee for their ongoing efforts.”
Helen McCready, winner of the Donegal Half Marathon in 2022 and 2023, told the launch that she ran the marathon when the event was first held ten years ago in conjunction with the half marathon.
“That was such a memorable day,” the Rosses AC runner said.
This year’s race will have a 9.20 am start.
To enter, follow the link below:
https://eventmaster.ie/event/9qPqhw5HWJ
To access the QR code, follow the link below:
https://eventmaster.ie/event/9qPqhw5HWJ/qrcode

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Yared Derese set a new course record in today's Donegal Half Marathon in Letterkenny when he cruised to victory in a time of 1:07:22.
The Carrick Aces AC runner, who won the National Half Marathon last year in 1:03:44, took two and a half minutes off the previous course record of 1:09:51 that was set by Raheny's Freddy Keron Sittuk in 2015.
Second in the event, which attracted a field of around 400, was Shane O'Donnell from Rosses AC in 1:13:38, with Letterkenny AC's Philip McHugh third in 1:15:28.
Helen McCready from Rosses AC, winner of the senior women's title in 2022, made a successful defence of her crown when taking the victory in 1:21:54. Runner-up was Finn Valley's Natasha Kelly in 1:24:32, with Ciara Cunningham of Tir Chonaill AC third in 1:24:36.
Giving his reaction to the day's proceedings, race director, Brendan McDaid, said he was delighted at how well everything went.
"We were extremely happy to have around 400 taking part which is up significantly on last year. Our aim is to keep building on the numbers and we will be aiming to have 500 on the road in the 2024 event," he commented.
After the 2021 Donegal Half Marathon, the race organisers made a few alterations to the course.
"We looked at things again after the event two years ago and removing the Port Road seems to have been a factor in attracting bigger numbers. The first four miles in around the town are flat, and apart from the climb up Rashedog just after the half way point, the course is flat and fast," he said.
"That the race is now recognised as a Donegal championship event meant there was an increase in the number of club runners competing and that also boosted the numbers."
"We've had entries from all over Ireland and quite a few from over seas which was really pleasing when you take into account that there were half marathons held in other parts of the country over the weekend," he added.
"The children's races, that are sponsored by Letterkenny Century Cinemas, were introduced a few years ago. These were once again coordinated by our friends from Donegal Sports Partnership. Those who ran today got the opportunity to race over the final kilometre of the Donegal Half Marathon, with the finish line on the Danny McDaid Track.
"It takes up to 100 volunteers to make sure out event is run smoothly and this year we had a great response from people coming forward to help. The Donegal Half Marathon is rightly known as the people's race and we are grateful to the Donegal Volunteer Centre and Letterkenny Athletic Club, along with our experienced team of marshals headed up by Neily McDaid and Gerard McGinley who have given up their time to ensure that we staged another enjoyable event," he said.
"When one takes into account the half marathon participants, the children's races and the volunteers who help out, around 600 people were involved in some way in making the 2023 Donegal Half Marathon happen today. So, we can say with certainty that community spirit is certainly alive and well in Letterkenny and among the running fraternity.
"We are also extremely grateful for the help and support we get from our main sponsors, Kernans, Optum - United Health Group, Letterkenny CDP, Donegal County Council, Failte Ireland, Century Cinemas Letterkenny, Watson Hire and An Garda Síochána.
Without their contribution, the race wouldn't happen," the race director added.

​Milford AC's Marty Lynch was the winner of today's Donegal Half Marathon in Letterkenny in a time of 73 minutes and 34 seconds. Second was Finn Valley's John McElhill in 74:13, with his Finn Valley club mate, Dermot McElchar, third in 74:19.
Helen McCready of Rosses AC took victory in the senior women's race in a time of 83:38, from the Tir Conaill AC pair of Ciara Cunningham who clocked 92:31, and Julie McNamee who finished in 94:27.
In calm and humid conditions, over 300 took part in the annual event which was again sponsored by the Kernan Retail Group.
Marty Lynch made a break from the leading pack on the race's only climb at Rashedog around the eight-mile mark and consolidated his lead to win by 40 seconds.
Speaking after his victory, Marty said he was delighted to be back on the winner's podium.
"Training has been going well over the last number of weeks and I decided to come and give it a go here today. I've been having good days and bad days in terms of races over the last while and I didn't really know how what was going to happen today. I made a move up Rashedog and managed to hold the pace of 3:25 to 3:27 per k throughout," he commented.
"My next aim is the Dublin Marathon at the end of October. I'll run a few races between now and then," the Milford AC man added.
Sunday saw Helen McCready running her first half marathon for three years.
"It was tough out there today and the conditions were very humid. I liked the new course - I didn't have a good relationship with the previous course. I haven't run a half marathon since 2019 and I felt I was a bit on my own at times, just like it is in training," she said.
"Ultimately, today is a stepping stone to the Berlin Marathon at the end of September. There have been a lot of miles lately, so I have to keep going for the next four weeks."
There was a great community feel to today's race, with people of all ages and abilities competing, and people from various local groups and organisations helping out.
Almost 100 children took part in the 1k fun races that were held in conjunction with Donegal Sports Partnership, just after the start of the main event.
Caption for photo: 2022 Donegal Half Marathon winner, Marty Lynch of Milford AC, being presented with the Dessie Larkin Perpetual Shield by Matthew Larkin, son of the late Dessie Larkin.

​The amazing Nikki Bradley, pictured with her cousin Michelle Rainey moments after they crossed the finish line at the Donegal Half Marathon today. Also included is Committee Member Mary Larkin. What a fantastic woman and inspiration to us all
Congratulations Nikki

The Donegal Half Mararthon would not be the same without Karol Doherty another fierce competitor who gives this event everything ​

​Rosses AC"s Helen McCready, winner of the senior women's race, pictured moments after she crossed the line Congratulations Helen !

​Check out the detailed map of faster, flatter Donegal Half Marathon route
 
The new faster, flatter course for the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon has been finalised.
The event has been fixed for Sunday, August 28th in Letterkenny and will start at 9.20 am.
The two main changes see the removal of the climb up Letterkenny's Port Road and the large loop of the course being done the opposite way. The combination of these two changes has resulted in a new start line at the beginning of the Conwal straight. There will be a flat four miles in and around the town before competitors head over the Oldtown Bridge, out Bomany and New Mills and through Rashedog before coming back into town along the main Glenties Road via Tullygay and Conwal, and finishing on the Danny McDaid Track at the Aura Leisure Centre.
To enter the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon, which is being held in association with the Kernan's Retail Group, follow the link below:
https://www.njuko.net/donegal_half_marathon_2022

​The volunteer t-shirts for the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon will be sponsored by the Letterkenny-based company, Optum.
Speaking at a press briefing, Paul Phelan, site director with Optum in Letterkenny, said Optum was delighted to continue its sponsorship arrangement with the Donegal Half Marathon which takes place this year on Sunday, August 28th, in Letterkenny.
"Optum's mission is to help people lead healthier lives and the Donegal Half Marathon is an event we are extremely happy to be associated with," Mr. Phelan said.
"A number of our employees have been regular participants in the Donegal Half Marathon since it was first held in 2014, while other staff members have assisted with the staging of the event by acting as marshals on the day," he added.
Thanking Optum for its ongoing support, Donegal Half Marathon Ambassador, Danny McDaid, said: "It's great to have Optum which is based in Letterkenny on board this year again. Optum has been with us from the start of the Donegal Half Marathon eight years ago. Their generous sponsorship is greatly appreciated, as is the willingness among its staff to give up their time and help out on the day of the event. The more people we have to help out, the smoother the Donegal Half Marathon will run," the Donegal Half Marathon Ambassador commented.

To enter the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon, which is being held in association with the Kernan's Retail Group, follow the link below:
https://www.njuko.net/donegal_half_marathon_2022

Caption for photo: Paul Phelan, the site director with Optum in Letterkenny, wishing Donegal Half Marathon Ambassador, Danny McDaid, well ahead of the 2022 event which take place in Letterkenny on Sunday, August 28th. Also included are Optum staff members, Darren Catterson, Jeanette Peoples, Zoe Stephenson and Stephen McDaid, Eamonn Bonner and Damien Quinn from the Donegal Volunteer Centre and Donegal Half Marathon Committee members, Brendan McDaid and Eunan Kelly