McCready and Doherty make it a Donegal double at Strabane Lifford Half Marathon

Helen McCready of Rosses AC and wheelchair athlete Karol Doherty were among the winners as they led home a record field at the 2024 Strabane Lifford Half Marathon.

City of Derry Spartans’ Kyle Doherty, was the winner of the men's event, as close to 1,000 runners crossed the finish line in the Melvin Running Track sunshine including a sizeable contingent taking part in the event’s inaugural relay element.

Thousands more lined the streets of the 13.1 mile route through Strabane, Lifford and Clady village.

In testing conditions where temperatures reached 17 degrees in the second half of the race, reigning Waterside Half Marathon Champion Doherty led home the male field in an excellent time of 1:11:56, followed by Milford AC’s Marty Lynch in 1.13.10 and Strive Racing Club’s Shane Donnelly in 1.13.22.

Last year’s third woman home McCready, from Burtonport, continued her outstanding form at this event by taking the title in 1.24.13, followed by Debbie McConnell, North Belfast Harriers, in 1:26:20 and Tara Malone in 1:29:22.

Inishowen’s Karol Doherty, from Carndonagh, got round in an excellent time of 1.25.51 to retain his wheelchair title just two weeks after he completed the Belfast Marathon.