The Belfast marathon has gone from strength to strength in recent years as the running bug continues to bite. The race was a sell out and 4376 brave souls completed the course. After months of disciplined training and commitment to weekly mileages in excess of 70 miles, athletes woke up to ideal conditions for the big test. 26.2 miles is a long way and athletes can easily come unstuck along the way. There is no accounting for what can happen, especially in the last 6 miles. In his pre-race memo to those taking part, the Prophet reiterated these sentiments, ‘remember boys and girls, it is a 20-mile warm up for a 6-mile race.’ With these wise words ringing in their ears, our 9 individuals and 2 relay teams left the opulent surrounding setting of the Stormont estate and began a journey that would take them through all parts of the city – north, south, east and west. The course has some undulations that hurt more as the miles progress and the Ormeau Road at 24 miles is the final test of stamina, will-power and endurance.

The Newcastle athletes gave a good account of themselves as the temperatures rose and the conditions became less conducive to fast times.

These times reflect the determination perseverance and resilience of those involved and all should be proud of their achievements.  

The Team Relay that has been part of the event for a long time remains as popular as ever and with 2368 teams finishing, over 11,000 were involved festooning the streets with colour and adding to the carnival atmosphere. This was heightened by the masses lining the route with barbecues wafting tempting smells over the exhausted and hungry runners! Others provided much appreciated music and I was particularly impressed by the ukelele collective at the bottom of the Woodstock Road and the Rock Choir singing their hearts out close to the Waterfront Hall. All of these inspire and motivate the athletes, helping them to fight through the pain and battle their way through the bad spells that all marathoners invariably must endure. 

In the Relay the Newcastle AC Men’s Team were a credible 8th overall and 4th All Male team with Niall Goodman, Daniel Molloy, Michael McGreevy & Aaron Rush posting 2:39:08.

In 65th overall   and 10th All Female Team was the Newcastle AC Ladies Team. Ciara Savage, Eilidh Scannell, Beata Slawecka-Barr, Sam McNeilly & Rachel Wallace posted a highly respectable 3:22:46. 

Inspired by what she saw, Miss World went home and skipped the second tanning of the weekend in favour of a 5 mile to begin her training for Belfast 2025, while independently Ron Horrox has also committed to participating next year and has vowed to enroll in the FLU scheme (Fitness Levels UP). Well done to all the other local athletes who completed the marathon or a leg of the relay and played their part in such a spectacular festival of running. Finally, if anyone is on the Ormeau Road in the course of tis week, can they please keep an eye out for Wee Brown’s wheels.  

Franky McGivern at mile 22 – photo by Richard Cowan

Ladies Team – Sam McNeilly, Beata Slawecka-Barr, Ciara Savage, Eilidh Scannell and Rachel Wallace

Daniel Molloy, Aidan Brown, Frank Cunningham and Niall Goodman