Press Release

4th Victory for Kenyan Kositany at Belfast City Marathon

07 May, 2019 (Tue)
Belfast City Marathon
Credit : Belfast City Marathon

Chairman of the Belfast Marathon Organising Committee Apologized for the 460 Additional Metres.

David Seaton, Chairman of the Belfast Marathon Organising Committee said: “On behalf of the organising committee, we would like to apologise to competitors of today’s race. Approximately 460 additional metres were added to the officially measured course of 26.2 miles. This was due to human error, with the lead car diverting from the official route. I can assure all participants that protocols will be put in place to ensure this never happens again. In the meantime, we are in the process of adjusting runners times to reflect the correct distance. Feedback on the new route has been overwhelmingly positive and we thank the thousands of spectators who lined the route to support 18,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair athletics.” On 5 May 2019, close to 18,000 participants made history taking part in the 38th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon on a Sunday for the first time ever. Including the Marathon Run and Wheelchair Race, Marathon Team Relay, 9 Mile Walk and Fun Run.

This is a record year for the event with the highest numbers ever for the Marathon alone, with approximately 5000 trying out the brand new flatter marathon route, a 60% increase from last year. 2019 has also seen an increase of Team Relay participants, with around 2,400 “five person” relay teams signed up this year.

This was a great day for the Kenyan’s with Joel Kositany winning the 38th Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon in a time of 2.17.09 (beating his 2018 time of 2.23.40). Eric Koech was second in a time of 2.17.18. Bernard Rotich arrived in 3rd place with a time of 2.17.22.

For the ladies, Kenyan Caroline Jepchirchir won for the 2nd year in a row at 2.34.55. This is the fastest ever finish for a woman in Belfast! In second place, Shewaye Wolde Meskel 2.35.50 and in third place Vira Ovcharuk in a time of 2.37.13.

For the Marathon Wheelchair Race, Jim Corbett claimed victory in a time of 2.19.21, Karol Doherty finished in second place in 2.33.06 (beating his 2018 time of 2.46.34). In third place, James Divin in a time of 2.35.48.

Fantastic results also from NI & Ulster Championship Marathon “local” winners. For the men, Jarlath McKenna first in a time of 2.26.18, in second place Vincent McKenna 2.30.41 and Max Travers in third place 2.35.23.

For the local ladies, Gladys Ganiel came in first 2.39.18, Catherine Johnston second in a time of 2.58.21 and Louise Smith third with 2.59.51.

The Top 100 marathon finishers are represented here now. A full list of the results from today will be available on the Belfast Live website this evening at www.belfastlive.co.uk and on the Belfast City Marathon website at www.belfastcitymarathon.com on Monday 6th May.

For further updates, follow the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Athletics Northern Ireland, Daily Mirror, Belfast City Council, Better, Translink, Daily Mirror, Spar, Belfast Live and Framar Health. Sampling partners are Deep RiverRock, Tayto, White’s Oats and Linwoods. This year’s official charities are Belfast Arthroplasty Research Trust (BART); Cancer Focus NI; Stroke Association; Air Ambulance NI and Action Mental Health.

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