Diarmuid MacDonnell

Diarmuid MacDonnell takes top spot in latest run

Diarmuid MacDonnell picked up the winner’s prize in the latest Valentines Parkrun at the weekend.

MacDonnell (left), who has a best of 19 minutes and 37 seconds finished top of the pile, just two seconds outside the 20-minute barrier.

Next across the finishing line was Dagenham 88 Runners’ Ian Cummins in 20.28, while Paul Eagles was third in 20.38.

Gary Cardnell, another from the Dagenham 88s, came in fourth, two seconds inside the 21-minute mark, while first-timer Leon Thomas stopped the clock in 21.33 for sixth.

A new personal best was set by seventh-placed Tim Hilton, with a time of 21.35, as Fernando Fuente of Havering 90 Joggers occupied eighth spot in exactly 22 minutes.

Wayne McAllister was ninth in 22.15, while Peter Rains completed the top 10 in 22.16.

East London Runners’ Derek Wright finished 12th in a time of 22.38, followed by Rowland Lions in 14th spot after completing the course in 23.18.

Gary Shade was 15th in 23.34 while Micheal Barrett took 16th spot with a time of 23.37.

Eamonn Connolly set a new best time of 23.46 for 17th, though Noel Gillett in 18th missed out on matching his personal best by a second after clocking 23.55.

The first lady across the finishing line was Katherine Harris in 24.15, over a minute clear of her nearest rival Victoria Morgan, in second spot with a time of 25.53.

Third place went to Emma Duncan in a new personal best of 25.59.