FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mark Ashby
Media Relations
Tel: 028 9027 0641
Fax: 028 9043 8075
ashbym@belfastcity.gov.uk
BELFAST MARATHON ENTERS BROADCAST PARTNERSHIP WITH CITYBEAT 96.7FM
The Belfast City Marathon has entered a broadcast partnership with Citybeat
96.7FM, Belfast’s own independent radio station.
The deal will involve on-air promotions, including sponsorship of the
station’s weekday sports bulletins, as well as a weekly ‘Marathon Minute’
feature on Owen Larkin’s primetime morning show. Citybeat listeners also
will be able to listen out for special Marathon-themed competitions, thanks
to the generosity of the event’s commercial sponsors.
Speaking about the partnership, Danny O’Connor, Chairman of the Belfast
City Marathon Organizing Committee, said: “The Marathon is growing year on
year, and entries for this coming May Day already are more than 40 per cent
more than at the same time last year. I am therefore delighted that
Northern Ireland’s largest athletics event not only is growing but now has
teamed up with the Province’s fastest growing radio station.”
John Rosborough, Station Director of Citybeat 96.7FM, responded: “The
Belfast City Marathon is a hugely popular event, and reflects everything
that is positive and vibrant about the City of Belfast, and therefore is an
ideal sporting partner for Citybeat.”
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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