Belfast City Marathon

REPORT WRITTEN BT JOHN T GLOVER

The Annual Belfast City Marathon was once again a great day (and evening) out for Lagan Valley with 45 athletes out on the road participating and countless others around the course providing support. The Fab 5 who covered the whole distance all did themselves proud.  First timers Kris Wilson and Sarah McNutt produced superb debuts with Kris breaking the 3 hour barrier in 2:58.29 and Sarah exceeding expectations with 3:08.25. In between them Michael Gillan ran eight minutes quicker than last year with a PB of 3:06 38. Michael Ewings dipped under three hours thirty in 3:29.19 and Iryna Kennedy finished in 4:59.05 with another 500 runners in her wake.

A record eight teams wore the Sky Blue and Navy colours in the team relays and while the results are still somewhat confusing, given the four different categories, it is clear that Lagan Valley again enhanced its reputation all around the city and were prominent in the new BBC coverage which went out on BBC I Player and is available for playback for the next year. Indeed the coverage began with and interview to camera with Jenny Finlay and Lorcan Bell.

Subject to confirmation it would appear that the Senior Women and Senior Men have again made the podium with the former clocking 2:57.21 and the latter 2:33.35.  The third team to cross the line was the LVAC Junior men’s team in an impressive 2:33.35 beaten only by a NI Select team and Beechmount Harriers. The second Junior Men’s team finished in 2:53,29 and the Junior Girls in 3:28.20. With seven teams in the top 70 out of a total of over 1800 starters these were magnificent performances. 

Thankfully despite the mixed weather conditions there were plenty of supporters out armed with cameras and they have provided a host of photos on the Monday Night Mob FB page and Junior Endurance Squad FB page.