Rankin and Whoriskey set Dessie's Run records
Foyle Valley’s Rankin - the Northern Ireland 10,000 metres champion - was third in the event last year but made no mistake this time as he blasted round the fast flat course to set a new record of 30 minutes 39, taking almost a minute off his old time.
Neil Johnston (Springwell) also had a personal best as he came second ahead of Kyle Doherty (Sparta), Inishowen’s Pauric McKinney (who repeated last year’s fourth), Dermot McElhinney (City of Derry) and Lurig winner Allan Bogle (City of Derry).
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Hide AdSparta’s Catherine Whoriskey, the 10,000 champion on the track, was in imperious form as she retained her ladies’ crown.
She also smashed the record as she won in 36 minutes 32 from Judi McAuley (NBH), Karen McLaughlin (Springwell) and Deidre Shiels (City of Derry).
There were 230 finishers in total at the popular meeting.