ATHLETICS: Double 5k weekend at Gransha, Grainan Fort

The Bay Road 5k is just one month away but local runners have two 5ks to chose from this weekend with the annual St Patrick's 5k in Gransha and on Sunday the King of Warriors 5k.

Saturday’s 5K traditionally heralds the start of the local road running season and is also a major fundraiser for the Foyle Hospice, attracting both club runners and recreational runners to the flat Gransha circuit.

It has an 11 a.m. start with entries at £7, taken from 9.30am. at race headquarters in the U3A Foyle building.

Runners are asked to register early to avoid a late rush and facilitate the supporting Kids Fun run which is scheduled for 10.30am. on the Horseshoe lap.

The Kids run has a £2 entry fee with medals for all finishers, registration from 9.30am.

Sunday’s action moves across the border to Burt and while it’s also a 5K, the terrain is radically different. It is almost 100 per cent uphill, taking runners from the Grainan Hotel right up to the world famous Grainan Fort, a really testing challenge for even the fittest athlete. Well worth making the short trip down to Burt to see it all unfold!

Start time is 2pm with entries at E10 taken at the Hotel from 12.30pm.

BAY ROAD 5K One MONTH AWAY

The 5K’s continue next month with the long established Bay Road race set for Wednesday, April 13th with a 7.30pm start from the usual spot adjacent to the KFC on the Riverside walkway.

Online entry for this popular 5K will be available in a few days, the entry fee is £7 or E10 and the usual generous prize list is up for grabs at the City of Derry Spartans organised event.

Race headquarters will be once again the Magee Sports Centre at the University Northland Road campus where registration will begin at 6pm.

Check out full race details on the Spartans’ facebook and website over the weekend.

An established flat, fast, officially certified course, both runner and spectator friendly, the Bay Road race appeals to all standards of runners and as spring arrives it’s the ideal race to test your mettle and set targets for summer and beyond.