The weather wasn’t cooperative on the final evening of the 38th season of Greater Derry Track Club (GDTC) Summer Fun Runs Thursday, July 30, as races were cancelled by darkening skies and increasing rain showers. But that didn’t mean the GDTC didn’t get some work done in closing the 2015 series.
“Our weather luck had run out, with oppressive temps in the 90s to be broken by rain storms at 6 o’clock,” lamented 2015 co-director Maureen Knepp. “Participants were able to pick up a medal and T-shirt, and the total count for food donated this final week was 123.8 pounds. That brings the total amount donated to the Saint Thomas Food Bank in Derry 1,737.2 pounds.”
As has been the case throughout the history of the summer series, race registrants are asked to bring non-perishable food items to donate as their registration fees, with the food subsequently donated to the Saint Thomas Food Bank to help the local needy.
And from the standpoint of the competitiveness of Derry youngsters in the 2015 GDTC series, a bunch wound up placing as the top finishers in their respective age divisions.
Finishing first overall in their respective classes for the season were Derry residents Nathan Donovan (9-year-old boys), Aleah Argu (9-year-old girls), and Jadyn Smith (10-year-old girls’).
Second places for the summer season were bagged by town residents Fin Christensen (boy 9s), Alli Carney (girl 10s), Ben Borges (boy 12s), and Aleksandra Carney (girl 12s).
Derry athletes collecting third places for the 2015 season included Susie Henley (girl 9s) and Natalie Hayes (girl 10s).
“This is one of the most rewarding parts of our club, to be able to see smiling faces reach the finish line and watch these young athletes grow from year to year,” said Knepp. “The program continues to grow, and this year we had over 700 athletes sign up, which was the most ever. We also lucked out with great weather for the first five nights.”
The 2015 series also broke new ground by introducing the 100-meter adaptive run.
