​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

​Participants in the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon will receive a medal with a raised image of the stunning cliffs of Sliabh Liag in the south west of the county as its centrepiece.
Last year, the organisers of the Donegal Half Marathon and Fáilte Ireland came together to promote the Wild Atlantic Way and selected Fanad Lighthouse as the discovery point to highlight.
Joan Crawford, Manager of the Wild Atlantic Way, says the Donegal Half Marathon is the perfect platform to help showcase the county.
"The Donegal Half Marathon is a great local event and assists us in promoting Donegal. There is a total of 39 discovery points along the Wild Atlantic Way in Donegal and the focus this year is on Sliabh Liag which is one of our iconic signature points along the Wild Atlantic Way. Although the race is based in Letterkenny, selecting different discovery points each year affords the Donegal Half Marathon Committee and Fáilte Ireland the chance to branch out into other areas of Donegal," she adds.
The organising committee has opted for a green-coloured technical t-shirt for those who participate in event which takes place on Sunday, August 28th in Letterkenny.
Meanwhile, Donegal Half Marathon Ambassador, Danny McDaid, says linking up with Fáilte Ireland is helping the profile of the event.
"Last year, Fanad Lighthouse was the focus and this year it's Sliabh Liag. We're delighted to be teaming up again with Fáilte Ireland and we are looking forward to holding what will be the ninth Donegal Half Marathon. We had no option but to go virtual with the 2020 event because of the pandemic and we were extremely pleased with the turnout when the actual event returned last year. Entries are coming in at a steady rate and we are confident of attracting another large field again next month," he adds.
The 2022 Donegal Half Marathon starts at 9.20 am and will be sponsored by the Kernan’s Retail Group, with support from Donegal County Council, Optum, Donegal Sports Partnership, and Donegal Volunteer Centre.
To register for next month's event, follow the link below:
https://www.njuko.net/donegal_half.../select_competition

​Nikki Bradley is gearing up to take part in next month's Donegal Half Marathon.
The Milford-based motivational speaker underwent an operation in Birmingham earlier this year to have her right leg amputated. She also had a new knee joint constructed from her right foot.
"I'm really looking forward to participating in the Donegal Half Marathon for a second time," commented the cancer survivor who is well known for her exploits as an adaptive adventurer.
" I first took part in the event in 2019 and what I loved about it was the fact that while I was really slow, there was no pressure on me to go fast and I was able to talk to people as they passed me. That really kept me going and when I came in, I thought I was absolutely last and the ambulance crew was behind me. But that didn't both me at all. It was all about participation and I absolutely loved it," she said.
"I'm so excited and I'd encourage as many people as possible to sign up for the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon and get active. You can bring your friends and family and have the best day. I know I will."
The 2022 Donegal Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, August 28th in Letterkenny at 9.20 am and will be sponsored by the Kernan’s Retail Group, with support from Donegal County Council, Optum, Donegal Sports Partnership, and Donegal Volunteer Centre.
To register for next month's event, follow the link below:
https://www.njuko.net/donegal_half.../select_competition

​The Donegal Half Marathon Committee presented three local charities with a total of €6,000 from the proceeds of last year's event.
St Vincent De Paul, the Irish Red Cross, and the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland each received cheques for €2,000 at a hand-over ceremony at Kernan's store at Tullygay in Letterkenny.
Speaking on behalf of the Donegal Half Marathon Committee, chairperson, Myles Sweeney said: "We always try to allocate the excess proceeds to local groups and we are well aware of the great work each of the three benefiting charities do in our communities."
Thanking the committee for their donation, Cormac McCormack, St Vincent De Paul Area President, commented: "We're under huge pressure at the moment with Ukrainian refugees. So, we really appreciate what you've done for us. Every chance I get I always emphasise the fact that every euro we get is spent in Letterkenny. It doesn't go anywhere else."
Donegal Half Marathon Ambassador, Danny McDaid, who was deputising for the chairman of the Donegal branch of Diabetes Ireland, Gerard Gallagher, said: "It's up to our local branch to fund a lot of the care that is needed by those with diabetes. I'd like to pass on my good wishes to our chairman, who spent 112 days in hospital with diabetes-related complications."
Sarah Meagher, representing the Irish Red Cross, also thanked the race committee for their generous contribution.
Entries for the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon are now open. To register click on the link below:
https://www.njuko.net/donegal_half_marathon_2022

The 2022 Donegal Half Marathon will take place in Letterkenny on Sunday, August 28th, in Letterkenny.
Details of the event, which has been held annually since 2014, were announced at the launch at The Bistro at Letterkenny's Retail Park on Friday evening.
In his address, Myles Sweeney, Donegal Sports Partnership Coordinator, and Donegal Half Marathon Committee Chairperson, said he was hopeful of a big entry for the end-of-summer race.
"We are looking forward to hosting a good event and welcoming people from near and far over the last weekend in August," he said.
"It's great to have last year's winners, Mark McPaul and Monica McGranaghan, here with us for this evening's launch as well. We want to make the event as inclusive as possible and we would like to encourage more women to take part.
"Once again we have Kernan's on board as our main sponsor and what a brand to have. We've built up a great relationship with Anthony, Cathal and Damian. Kernan's is a successful Donegal brand and it fits well with the organisation of this event," he added.
For the second successive year, the Donegal Half Marathon is teaming up with Fáilte Ireland to promote another iconic landmark along the Wild Atlantic Way.
"This year, we have selected Sliabh Liag as the iconic point to highlight and the centrepiece of this year's Donegal Half Marathon medal will have an image of Sliabh Liag. This gives us an opportunity to promote the Wild Atlantic Way and all that stands for here nationally as well - promoting tourism and inward investment. We are always trying to broaden things out and make it a Donegal event, and the link with the Wild Atlantic Way is another way of trying to achieve," Mr Sweeney said.
Wishing the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon every success, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, Mayor of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, said it was great to see the event back last year, having been forced to go the virtual route in 2020 because of the pandemic.
"I was lucky enough to have had the honour to start last year's Donegal Half Marathon. It's a great event, brings great crack to the town and works so well. Congratulations to Monica and Mark on their success last year," he commented.
"Mary Larkin is a great addition to the Donegal Half Marathon Committee. I remember back in the day, Dessie standing at the council and proposing this event. It has turned out to become a great event and works so well.
"I'd like to mention Eamonn Bonner and John Curran from the Donegal Volunteer Centre and the work that they do, and acknowledge the sponsorship from Kernan's. Danny McDaid is a great ambassador for the Donegal Half Marathon and is someone who has been synonymous with athletics in Donegal and is such a keen supporter," he added.
"I'd like to acknowledge the efforts of Letterkenny​ Athletic Club and we have so much evidence of that with local coach Teresa McDaid managing the Olympic team and so on. Donegal County Council is very happy to be involved with the Donegal Half Marathon."
Speaking on behalf of the Kernan Group, Anthony Kernan said he was delighted to be on board with the event.
"Thanks for the opportunity to be part of the Donegal Half Marathon again this year. It's an event that is a good fit for our group and I wish everyone the best of luck," Mr Kernan added.
This year's Donegal Half Marathon will have the usual starting time of 9.20 am, with Aura Leisure Centre being the event's headquarters.
To register for the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon, follow the link below:

https://www.njuko.net/donegal_half.../select_competition

Caption for photo: Pictured at the launch of the 2022 Donegal Half Marathon which takes place on Sunday, August 28th, in Letterkenny. Back row, from left, Brendan McDaid, race director, Eamon Bonner, Donegal Volunteer Centre, Eunan Kelly, Donegal Half Marathon Committee Treasurer, Danny McDaid, Donegal Half Marathon Ambassador, Anthony Kernan, owner of the Kernan's Retail Group who are the main sponsors of the event, and Myles Sweeney, Donegal Sports Partnership Coordinator and Donegal Half Marathon Committee Chairperson.
Front row, from left, Cllr Jimmy Kavanagh, Mayor of the Letterkenny-Milford Municipal District, Monica McGranaghan, winner of the women's 2021 Donegal Half Marathon title, Mary Larkin, Donegal Half Marathon Committee, and Mark McPaul overall winner of the 2021 Donegal Half Marathon. ​