All of the conditions were ideal the start to the 41st annual Greater Derry Track Club (GDTC) Summer Fun Run Series at the Pinkerton Academy track in Derry on the evening of Thursday, June 16.
“On a beautiful spring evening, 299 kids signed up and brought 323.6 pounds of food to be donated to a local food pantry,” said club media coordinator Bonney Cashin.
Youngsters wishing to participate in the fun runs – which will take place every Thursday evening through July 28 – are asked to bring a non-perishable food item to donate as their registration fee.
Youngsters from local communities took part in the first night of runs, and kids from Londonderry stood up tall with some excellent performances.
Local youngsters with a top-three finishe in their age divisions included Parker Lewis (first) in the nine-year-old boys’ class, Nora Maher (second) among the girl nines, Michaela Horan (first) in the 10-year-old girls’ class, and Lily Maher (first) and Emily Teva (second) among the girl 11’s.
Registration begins at 6 on the evenings of the runs, with races commencing at 6:30. Members of the Greater Derry Track Club are on hand to lead stretching exercises and offer kids running tips before their races.
Youngsters aged two and three run approximately 50 yards, those four through six run 200 meters, children seven and eight run 300 meters, nine and 10-year-olds run 600 meters, 11 to 13’s run the Pinkerton cross-country mile, and those 14 and older run the open mile.