The annual bank holiday marathon around Belfast took place on Monday in glorious sunshine. Possibly not ideal marathon conditions, some of the householders en route acknowledged this by connecting their hoses for the benefit of the overheating runners, but it still attracted a healthy NDAC turnout.
Andy Belshaw had an excellent top 100 finish, 95th, and achieved his target of a Good for Age London time for next year when he clocked 3:11:50. Next in at 3:15:27 was Andrew Muir who had already hit his Good for Age target at the Manchester marathon.
Sean Nickell made it two marathons in two days after completing the EAMS event on Sunday, and had a decent run coming in on 3:33:46. Sarah Benton was our first lady in next and was successful with a pb and a Good for Age London time of 3:42:04.
Mitchell Brown was unlucky not to break the 4 hour mark when the clock stopped on 4:00:27 and Nicola Newell continued her running education with a very respectable time of 4:11:26. Elaine McDonnell enjoyed the support and completed the circuit in 4:25:02 before Donald Smith, who prepared for the race with a 54 mile Ultra run in Scotland on Saturday and then wore a Smurf outfit for the trip around Belfast, made it home in 4:41:18.
There were at least 4 teams with North Down influence competing on the day and enjoying the hospitality around the course and post race. The recorded times and positions are:
4th North Down B’s – 2:29:47
13th North Down Strollers – 2:43:50
164th NDAC Hillsquad 1 – 3:40:29
230th NDAC Hillsquad 2 – 3:45:46
