Kenyans will be ones to catch at Buncrana 5K race

Top Omagh based Kenyans Dan Tanui and Eric Koech, the top two at Strabane-Lifford, will face Northern Ireland 10,000 champion Scott Rankin, Connor Bradley, Wilkie’s winner Barry Harron and former champion Pauric McKinney.

The Kenyans have indicated their intention of attacking the course record 14 minutes 18 set by compatriot Freddy Sittuk and with good weather forecast a time close to 14 minutes is on the cards.

Letterkenny pair Ann-Marie McGlynn and Natasha Adams will go against Catherine Whoriskey form the promoting club who took the 10,000 metres title at the Mary Peters. Another record could be possible.

The runners get underway at 7.30.

Also on Wednesday night there is a huge entry for the Bann 10K and Fun Run from Havelock Park, Banbridge.

Stephen O’Gorman and Brian Young look to be the favourites for the mens event won last year by Andrew Annett.

Stephen from Dromore was 12th in this event last year but has showed tremendous improvement as he showed when coming third in the Les Jones 10K recently. He will certainly be on the rostrum.

Brian Young from Lagan Valley fourth in the Cookstown Half Marathon has a great record in Banbridge having placed second in both 2012 and 13 and fifth last time. He will be keen to go one better.

Dromore pair Nigel McKibbin and Nigel Grier will go well along with Seamus Melanophy and Mark Cornett of St Peters and Ballydrain’s Masters star Norman Mawhinney.

The ladies race can go to Diane Watson from City of Lisburn. She won the Run In The Dark event at Stormont and was second to Jodi Smith at the Les Jones.

Susan Smyth came fourth last year and will feature prominently.

Debbie Matchett, Ruth Perioli, Sile Brennan and Natalie Bowbanks will all feature.

The race starts at Havelock Park at 7 o’clock and covers a circuit in and around the town before returning to finish on the track.