FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Belfast Puts On Its Running Shoes For Marathon Effort
The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon takes place on May Day Bank
Holiday Monday, 7 May.
The 2007 event – once again supported by Belfast City Council and the
Sports Council of Northern Ireland – promises to be the biggest and the
best yet, with a record number of runners and walkers expected to take to
the city's streets for the annual extravaganza.
The main Marathon, Marathon Relay, Marathon Walk and Wheelchair Marathon
will start from the front of City Hall at 9am on May Day Bank Holiday
Monday, with all events finishing in Ormeau Park. The Fun Run will start
from the front of the City Hall at 9.20am, and also finish in Ormeau Park.
The main Marathon will continue to cross the city running through east,
west, north and south Belfast, with only a couple of minor changes made to
the route taken by a record 13,700 participants in 2006.
"There will be an additional half mile or so in Newtownabbey area just
before Gideon's Green and a corresponding reduction at the end of the
course," explained Danny O'Connor, Chairman of the Deep RiverRock Belfast
City Marathon organizing committee.
"Instead of running through Ormeau Park for the last mile, after the
Ravenhill Road section we will now run along Ormeau Embankment and finish
on the driveway to the Indoor Tennis Arena," he elaborated, going on to
outline some more exciting developments for 2007.
"First of all, we have an exciting new, three-year partnership with Deep
RiverRock as our title sponsor – and a range of other new sponsors,
including Up & Running, New Balance, bmibaby and Lindsay Cars, as well as
our media partner, U105. We are delighted that Belfast City Council, the
Sports Council and Tayto also have renewed their long-time associations
with the event.
"In the week before the Marathon, we will be adding extra days for pack
collection at the new Marathon office at Wilmont House, in Sir Thomas and
Lady Dixon Park, with entertainment provided throughout those days,"
continued Danny.
"In addition, participants will see more planned entertainment around the
route - and we will be working with local businesses to encourage them to
participate in this too.
"There also will be two new energy drinks stations, supported by Powerade,
in the latter stages of the route, and a bigger party atmosphere at the
finish near the Tennis Centre, with bands, a funfair and food and drink –
plus a free shuttle bus service for everyone to and from the centre."
Launching the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy
spoke of his high regard for everyone who has taken part in the marathon
over the years – and those who will do so again in a little under three
months' time.
"I've always been in strong supporter of the marathon and I'm full of
admiration for anyone who goes out to run or walk for 26 miles through all
parts of our great city - north, east, south and west.
"Personally, even the thought of such an arduous task makes me feel
exhausted and I can imagine the effort everyone is going to put in to this
and congratulate them in advance for the sacrifices they make to do it,"
said the Lord Mayor.
Maire Campbell, Public Affairs and Communications Manager with Deep
RiverRock, said:
"We are delighted to support the Belfast City Marathon and we wish all the
participants and organisers the best of luck."
The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Belfast City
Council, the Sports Council of Northern Ireland, Up & Running, New Balance,
bmibaby, U105, Tayto and Lindsay Cars.
It is organized by Belfast City Marathon Ltd., in partnership with Belfast
City Council, the Northern Ireland Athletics Federation, Newtownabbey
Borough Council, the Police Service, the Department for Regional
Development, Sustrans and Translink.
The official charity of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is the
Down's Syndrome Association.
For further information, including online entry, visit
www.belfastcitymarathon.com.
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