FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mark Ashby
Media Relations
Tel: 028 9027 0641
Fax: 028 9043 8075
ashbym@belfastcity.gov.uk
BELFAST MARATHON HEADING FOR ANOTHER RECORD YEAR
The Belfast City Marathon is heading for yet another record year
With just over six weeks to go until thousands of runners once more take to
the streets of Belfast, entries for the 2003 event already are up around 40
per cent on the same time last year.
The largest increase is in the number of male entrants, which has virtually
doubled compared with the same period. There also is a 30 per cent
increase in the number of teams entered for the Marathon Relay.
Danny O’Connor, Chairman of the Belfast City Marathon Organizing Committee,
said: “The Marathon is growing year on year, and a large part of the
upsurge in early entries for this year’s event can be attributed to the
high level of online entries which we are attracting, particularly from
outside Northern Ireland.”
In addition to the home nations, the 22nd Belfast City Marathon already has
attracted entries from as far afield as Australia and Bosnia, Brazil,
Canada, Nigeria, Spain, Sweden and the United States.
The year 2003 sees the Belfast City Marathon undergoing the biggest
facelift in its history, with a new starting point and a new starting time.
The 22nd Belfast City Marathon, sponsored by Belfast City Council and the
Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum, will start against the magnificent backdrop of
Belfast City Hall at 9.30am on Monday May 5 2003.
The associated Wheelchair Marathon, Team Relay and Marathon Walk, will
start at the same time as the main event. The Fun Run, in aid of the
Special Olympics World Games Belfast Host City Programme, will start 30
minutes later, at 10am.
“This is perhaps the most significant development in the history of the
Belfast City Marathon,” commented Danny O’Connor. “Bringing the Marathon
start into the City Centre is a hugely positive step forward, not only for
the Marathon itself, but for the City of Belfast as a whole. The change in
time also brings Belfast into line with other major marathons, such as
Dublin and London, which traditionally have enjoyed morning starts.”
Details on how to enter the 22nd Belfast City Marathon, sponsored by
Belfast City Council and the Ulster Pork and Bacon Forum, can be obtained
from the Marathon Office on Belfast (028) 9027 0345. Online entry also is
available at www.belfastcity.gov.uk/marathon. Entrants are reminded that
entries received after April 4 are subject to a surcharge of £10 or €17,
and no entries will be accepted on the day.
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