FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Records Tumble in Belfast
Records tumbled for the second successive year in today's 31st Deep
RiverRock Belfast City Marathon.
Ethiopia's Urga Negewo returned to the event he won two years ago, to
repeat his 2010 feat – and this time knocked more than a minute off the
record, striding home on a wet and windy morning in 2:13:41.
Defending champion Joseph Chesire, who set a new Belfast record only last
year, could only manage third place, in 2:18:09, behind fellow Kenyan David
Kipserem Kisang (2:15:57).
The first local runner home, in 2:29:43 and eighth place, was Tommy Hughes,
who was the last Northern Ireland athlete to win in Belfast, back in 1998.
The women's race was won by another Kenyan, Alice Chelangat, who also set a
new record of 2:39:02 – shaving 20 seconds off that set by Marashet Jimma
in 2008. Russia's Yelena Kozevnikova was the second woman home, in
2:42:10, followed by Wioletta Kryza of Poland, in 2:43:57.
The wheelchair event was won by Darrell Erwin, from Ballymena.
Another record was broken, in terms of the number of competitors taking
part in the main 26.2 mile race – with almost 3,800 people pounding
Belfast's streets. Taking into account the unique team relay, as well as
the walk and fun run, organizers estimate that almost 21,000 took part in
the event.
Speaking afterwards, the Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Niall O
Donnghiale, said:
"Despite the weather conditions, the wind and the rain did nothing to
dampen the enthusiasm of those taking part, as well as the many thousands
who turned out, in spite of the miserable conditions, to cheer on friends
and family – and even people they didn't know!
"It's great to see so many people continuing to support the marathon – and
especially to raise so much money for so many worthwhile charities. I
congratulate everyone involved, and hope that any aches and pains have all
been worthwhile, whether they have been gained in the course of setting a
new personal best time or in fundraising."
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