Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Every TIME plus ALL the runners.. ALL the photos.. and ALL the fun
Athletes, superheroes and smurfs battle heat for run
SMURFS and superheroes were among the 15,000 runners and walkers who took to sun-kissed streets yesterday for the Belfast City Marathon. Up to 60 competitors from the East Antrim Marathon Series dressed up in blue face paint, white overalls and gnome hats to take part in the family-friendly May Day event. And with temperatures nudging 19C their make-up was tested to the limit. They were joined by Captain America and the Incredible Hulk, a man sporting a bloodied hurling stick-style hat on his head and a fireman in full kit and 29lb of breathing apparatus as they pounded the streets, cheered on by thousands of spectators. Crowds began gathering at the City Hall from early in the morning ahead of the 9am start. Dame Mary Peters was on hand to encourage the participants, who also included Lord Mayor Brian Kingston and former first citizen Mairtin O Muilleoir. Speaking to the Mirror, Dame Mary said the turnout was fantastic and that the event showed off Belfast in the best light.
SUPPORT
She added: “The atmosphere is brilliant and the weather is perfect. “I think people are much more health-aware now and there are more people taking up running thanks to things like Park Run. “But you don’t have to be a runner to take part, there are plenty walking as well and it’s just so good to see so many here today to support the official charity Mencap.” The East Antrim Marathon Series made headlines last year when they ran the marathon dressed as bright orange Oompa Loompas. So the pressure was on to come up with an equally crazy costume this time round. Runner Mark Mcelhinney said: “We dressed up a bit to take part a few years ago and it just kind of mushroomed. “It’s just good fun to do it like this and we’re running it for Mencap.” Fellow club member Dean Collins added: “I had to get up half an hour earlier just to do my make-up.” The Lord Mayor, who finished the race in three hours, 32 minutes, was in great form as he limbered up at the starting line. He said: “There is such a unique atmosphere at this event. It stretches across so many parts of the city and it’s wonderful to see so many people coming out to support it.” To the sound of the Spencer Davis Group’s Keep On Running, the participants set off on the route that took in parts of Belfast from Sydenham to the Falls Road, and the Antrim Road to the Ravenhill Road. Spectators cheered on the runners, relay teams, walkers and wheelchair athletes.
ENJOYMENT
At the Ormeau Park finishing line, there was great excitement as the first few competitors completed the course. Kenyan Bernard Rotich won the men’s race in a time of 2:16:04, just ahead of fellow countrymen Emmanuel Kiprotich and Daniel Tanui. Bernard, who took part in the Belfast Marathon in 2014, was delighted with his victory. He added: “When I ran it before I was injured and did not do well so I am very happy to win. There was a lot of support and I really enjoyed it” There was also huge anticipation as word got out that Kilkeel woman Laura Graham was on track to win the woman’s race – making her the first Northern Ireland winner since Barbara Brewer in 1999. The Mourne Runners athlete was met at the finishing line by her proud husband Thomas and their four children Payton, Jaden, Layla and Darcy. A clearly delighted Laura said: “It doesn’t feel real. I just ran my own race.” Meanwhile, Donegal man Karol Doherty was thrilled with his time of 2:46,
The atmosphere is brilliant and the weather is perfect DAME MARY PETERS BELFAST YESTERDAY
making him the first wheelchair athlete over the line. He added: “The atmosphere here is brilliant.” One man who certainly felt the heat was firefighter Alan Murdoch, who ran the entire course in his uniform, carrying his breathing apparatus on his back. He was taking part for the Make A Wish Foundation and was joined along the route by colleagues from Belfast’s Whitla Street station who ran various legs of the relay with him. Alan said: “I had the lads here and their support was vital. I just wanted to do something different to highlight the charity. ”