Belfast is to host its first ever Half Marathon, on Sunday September 22nd.
The event is an extension of the hugely popular Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, which enjoys its 32nd running this year on Monday May 6th.
Danny O’Connor, Chairman of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon organising committee, commented:
“We’ve been considering holding a half marathon for a number of years now, and this seemed the appropriate time to launch such an event for the first time.
“Due to the logistics of organising the main marathon, and the associated events on the day, it is not feasible for us to hold a half-marathon at the same time as the main event, and so we have decided to hold this event in September,” Danny explained.
“This means that it will be the ideal opportunity for those intending to take part in the main event to gauge how their training is going and the progress they are making.”
Launching the new Belfast City Half Marathon, the Lord Mayor, Alderman Gavin Robinson, said:
“Half marathons are hugely popular events, and I congratulate the organisers of the Belfast City Marathon on taking this step. I am sure it will be hugely successful, with both local runners and those from further afield, and I wish everyone involved all the best for September.”
The new Deep RiverRock Belfast City Half Marathon will start at Belfast City Hall and finish at the newly refurbished Mary Peters Track. Details of the exact route will be announced at Easter. Online entry is available now at www.belfastcitymarathon.com
The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Athletics Northern Ireland, Belfast City Council, Daily Mirror, Podium 4 Sport, Saucony, Sport Northern Ireland, Tayto, Translink and U105. This year’s official charity is Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.