Rankin clinches third successive Marty's Run/Walk 5k victory

Scott Rankin clinched his third successive Marty’s Run/Walk 5k win this morning.

The Foyle Valley AC runner (pictured) crossed the finish line at Templemore Sports Complex in Derry in a time of 15.16.

The pre-race favourite was 12 seconds ahead of runner-up Chris McGuinness, of BOLT Running Club.

Fintan Stewart, of City of Derry Spartans, took third place in 15.50.

Spartan Catherine Whoriskey, the winner of last month’s Waterside Half Marathon, won the ladies’ race.

Springwell duo, Gemma Turley and Katherine Woods, came second and third respectively.

A record entry took to the starting line at St Brigid’s College on Glengalliagh Road with over 900 runners competing while in excess of 200 took part in the walk.

The event is staged annually by the Foyle Valley Athletic Club in memory of Martin Gallagher, their popular club member who was knocked down and killed by a hit-and-run driver on Raceourse Road while returning home from a Halloween night out in 2009.