FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Lord Mayor Encourages Community to Put Best Foot Forward
for Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon 2016
Entries now open at BelfastCityMarathon.com
Belfast, September 29, 2015 -- Celebrating 35 years of the Belfast City
Marathon, 10 years for Deep RiverRock as title sponsor, and a new charity
partner Mencap for the next three years; the much-loved Deep RiverRock
Belfast City Marathon continues to capture the hearts and minds of the
local community as well as drawing more and more athletes from at home and
abroad.
The 2016 Deep River Rock Belfast City Marathon, which will take place on
May Day Bank Holiday, 2nd May, was officially launched this morning (29
September 2015) by Lord Mayor Councillor Arder Carson and David Seaton,
Technical Race Director at Coca-Cola HBC's Visitor Experience in Knockmore
Hill.
At the launch in Lisburn, Councillor Carson said: "35 years ago Belfast
City Council took the decision to stage the first Belfast City Marathon
and, over the intervening years, the event has gone from strength to
strength. When other marathons fell by the wayside, Belfast continued to
grow. Now, with the resurgence of interest in running – especially as a
free and efficient way of getting and staying fit – we are benefiting from
record entry numbers each and every year."
"While the marathon is undoubtedly a serious business, especially for
competitive runners, it is also about having fun and enjoying yourself –
whether you are a serious runner, or taking part in the relay with a team
of friends or just cheering the runners along.
"Belfast, quite rightly, is regarded as one of the world's friendliest
marathons, and runners from near and far are always encouraged by the
warmth of the support they find in all four corners of our city. Once
again, I would urge the people of Belfast to turn out and support the
runners on May Day – whether it be by offering a glass of water or a slice
of fruit, or merely an encouraging word," concluded Councillor Carson
Technical Race Director David Seaton said: "Following the success of our
secondary event, the 3rd ASICS Belfast City Half Marathon last Sunday (20
September 2015), we are confident that entries for the Main Marathon Run
will increase as entrants look to set new goals and push themselves to
tackle the 26.2mile distance."
In addition to the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon being the biggest
single participatory sporting event in Northern Ireland, it is also one of
the biggest fundraising events, with almost every runner or walker taking
part to benefit charity.
"I'm delighted to announce that, in 2016, we will be supporting the
magnificent work of Mencap, as our officially nominated charity," announced
David Seaton.
Margaret Kelly, Director of Mencap in Northern Ireland, said; "Mencap's
charity partnership with Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon marks the
first time the partnership has been extended to three years – it's beyond
exciting!
"Whether participants decide to run the full marathon, take part in the fun
run, the eight mile walk, the wheelchair challenge or the relay race – we
encourage you all to do it for Mencap please! You have a great opportunity
to fundraise to help children with a learning disability as we are about to
open our new Mencap Centre for children and families.
"We are steadily building towards our fundraising target of £1.7million to
bring this new centre to life. Every penny raised by those doing the
marathon for Mencap will stay in Northern Ireland – opening our new Mencap
Centre is just the first step – we want to create and launch new services
to reach even more children with a learning disability across NI. This
centre could not have been built without the generosity of local people and
once again, we ask them to take a big step forward, take the marathon
challenge and ‘do it for Mencap!"
Also celebrating the 10th year as title sponsor, Deep RiverRock's
Sponsorship Manger, Rob Crabbe said: "As Northern Ireland's favourite water
brand with its roots in Tullynacross, Co. Antrim, Deep RiverRock is
delighted to continue its long standing partnership with Belfast City
Marathon in 2016.
"With a shared vision to encourage more people to lead active and hydrated
lifestyles, Deep RiverRock's partnership with Belfast City Marathon is a
perfect fit. Deep RiverRock is proud to be associated with such a world
class event that resonates so well with the local community and as a
company we are honoured to have played a part in the success of what is now
a key event in Northern Ireland's sporting calendar."
David Seaton also highlighted that in celebration of the 35th year the
website – www.BelfastCityMarathom.com – has been re-designed to make it
more user friendly for all smart phones and tablets to ensure that
participants can register quickly and easily.
He said: "For the first time in 2016, all Team Relay runners will have the
opportunity to get their own personal time as well as their team's time
through chip timing. This will enable all participants to test their
training and compete with over 2,000 people in each leg. Full details of
prizes will be announced later in the year.
"With our media partner, the Daily Mirror, we are also offering one lucky
organisation the chance to win five hospitality seats at the Down Royal
Festival in June 2016 where all members of the winning team will get their
entrance race card, 3-course meal and entertainment provided for FREE. So
what better incentive to have a team day out – tick the Corporate Challenge
when registering," he concluded.
NOTES TO EDITOR:
The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is also sponsored by U105, ASICS,
Daily Mirror, Translink, Athletics Northern Ireland, Tayto, Podium 4 Sport,
White's Oats, Centra, Belfast Live, Linwoods and Belfast City Council.
The 2016 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is organised by Belfast City
Marathon Ltd, in partnership with Athletics Northern Ireland, Belfast City
Council, the Department for Regional Development, Newtownabbey Borough
Council, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and Translink. The
official charity for 2016 is Mencap.
Entries for the 2016 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon are now open at
www.belfastcitymarathon.com.
Caption 1 & 2– (l-r) Rob Crabbe (Sponsorship Manager, Deep RiverRock),
Pamela Ballentine (Ambassador with Mencap), Lord Mayor of Belfast
Councillor Arder Carson, Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE (Ambassador with
Mencap) joined forces to launch the 35th Deep RiverRock Belfast City
Marathon this morning at the Coca-Cola Visitor Attraction Centre, which
takes place on Bank Holiday Monday 2nd May. Deep RiverRock were proud to
host the event as they too are celebrating their 10th year as title sponsor
of the event. Official charity for the 2016 event is Mencap NI.
Registrations are now open and you can sign up at
www.belfastcitymarathon.com #let's do it together
Caption 3 - (l-r) Technical Race Director, Mr David Seaton and Sponsorship
Manager, Mr Rob Crabbe celebrated their birthdays this morning when they
launched the 2016 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon. The event is
celebrating its 35th year while Deep RiverRock are entering into their 10th
year as title sponsor of the event. Official charity for the 2016 event is
Mencap NI. Registrations are now open and you can sign up at
www.belfastcitymarathon.com #let's do it together
Caption 4 – (L-R) Mencap Ambassadors, Catherine Gordy, Jessica-Jane
Applegate MBE and Sarah Gordy lined up at the launch of the 35th Deep
RiverRock Belfast City Marathon this morning to announce that Mencap NI are
the official charity for the event for the next three years. This is the
first time that any charity has been selected for a three year partnership
with the event. Title Sponsor Deep RiverRock were also celebrating their
10th year as title sponsor for the event's 35th year. Registrations are now
open and you can sign up at www.belfastcitymarathon.com #let's do it
together
Caption 5 – U105 presenter Denise Watson gathered with the Mencap
Ambassadors; Catherine Gordy, Jessica-Jane Applegate MBE and Sarah Gordy to
help launch the 2016 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon this morning. As
Official Nominated Charity for the event (2016-2018), Mencap are
encouraging all participants to fundraise for them. In addition, Deep
RiverRock are excited about their 10th year as title sponsor and can't wait
to another exciting and big year for everyone entering the Main Marathon
Race, Team Relay, 8 Mile Walk, Wheelchair Race or Fun Run. Registrations
are now open and you can sign up at www.belfastcitymarathon.com #let's do
it together
For further information on this press release please contact:
Claire O'Reilly, Event Manager, Belfast City Marathon on: 077 9981 0473
###
|
