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Get Entries in Early for 2009 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon Launch

03 September 2008 - 03 October 2008

Organisers of Northern Ireland’s biggest sporting event have issued a rallying call to potential entrants - get in there early.


The 2009 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon takes place on Monday 4 May, but race officials are already braced for an early rush of entries.

The Marathon’s new look website was officially launched today (Tuesday 9 September) - and along with it an incentive for those already in training for the May Day extravaganza to get their entries in as soon as possible.

“Get your entry in before 9th November and we’ll knock ten per cent off your fee,” announced Danny O’Connor, Chairman of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon Organizing Committee, at a press conference in the city centre Premier Inn.

And Danny added that this year’s restructured prize fund – which offered more rewards for local athletes – is to be retained, due to its popularity.

“Obviously, we’ll still be seeking to attract some of the elite overseas athletes, but once again we’re making more money available to the ‘home’ side, so there are going to be more prizes, and so more incentives, for our own local athletes.

“We enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2008: Marashet Jumma smashed the women’s record, set by fellow Ethiopian Lemma Urge in 2006, by more than two minutes. But, our own Marty Deane’s record of 2:15:51 has stood since 1986, so the challenge to beat that is still out there,” said Danny.

Officially launching the 2009 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, Councillor Michael Browne, Chairman of Belfast City Council’s Development Committee, spoke of his high regard for everyone who has taken part in the marathon over the years.

“It is hard to believe that it is some 28 years since Belfast City Council and our partners took the decision to stage the first Belfast City Marathon.

“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 marathon running, we are benefiting from record entry numbers each and every year,” continued Councillor Browne.

“Having taken part in one leg of the relay this past May, I certainly can appreciate the effort that many people go to in taking part in the Marathon, and every single one of them has my utmost admiration. Once again, there is no doubt that all those taking part will be encouraged, as I was, by the warmth of the support they will find along the route, which takes in all four corners of our city,” he said.

Danny O’Connor also pointed out that the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is the biggest single participatory sporting event in Northern Ireland.

“It is also one of the biggest charity fundraising events, with almost every runner or walker taking part to benefit their favourite charity,” he concluded.

The official charity for the 2009 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

Linda Alexander, Regional Fundraising Manager, said:

"It is such a privilege to have been chosen as the official charity of the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon 2009. We are urging everyone no matter how young or old to take part in next years Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon and to support the work of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust here in Northern Ireland.”

Trina Campbell, Project Development Manager with title sponsors Deep RiverRock, said:

"We are delighted to support the Belfast City Marathon for the third successive year. We know that the 2009 event will be the best yet, and we wish all the participants and organisers the best of luck.”

The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Aer Lingus, Belfast City Council, Sport Northern Ireland, New Balance, Charles Hurst Renault, Translink, Eventsec, Reach EPS, Tayto and Up and Running. Media partners are the Daily Mirror and U105. Official accommodation partner is Premier Inn.

The 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, Sustrans and Translink.

For full details of the 2009 Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, including online entry, visit www.belfastcitymarathon.com