Belfast Marathon To Fund Two Causes

Next year's Belfast Marathon will support two charities: one local and one international.

The Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon 2010 was officially launched yesterday at the newly refurbished City Hall. As one of the leading marathons in UK and Ireland, it broke records last year with 17,500 competitors - including Newtownabbey runners, Adam McCalden and Jonathan Lindsay - pictured here.

It is expected to break the 20,000 barrier when the runners next step out, on the 3rd May 2010.

According to Claire O'Reilly, Event Manager of the Marathon, they have gone from strength to strength and in 2009 the event raised almost £1m.

Now, due to the success of previous fundraising, next year's event includes an important novelty.

Symbolized by the presence of twins Angeline and Jennnifer McKenna, the marathon will support not one but two charities: Marie Curie Cancer Care and Concern Worldwide.

Teresa Sloan, Regional Events Manager for Marie Curie Cancer Care, said: "These much-needed funds will not only support the work of our 200 nurses across Northern Ireland, but also our Hospice in Belfast which provides specialist care and day therapy for patients."

This UK organization provides care terminally ill patients in the community and in their hospices, along with support for their families.

Concern Worldwide is an international humanitarian organisation dedicated to reducing suffering and ending extreme poverty since more than 40 years.

Deirdre Murphy, Corporate Relationship Manager, said that simple steps can make a huge difference in helping people out of poverty and urged: "Take part in the Marathon and join Concern in our mission to transform and save millions of lives."

Councillor Naomi Long, Lord Mayor of Belfast, encouraged everyone to take part in the marathon, which she considers "a challenge for the individual concerned, and also an event which brings people together, to support that individual and their effort".

She added that everybody could play part "not only those tackling the full 26 miles, but also those friends taking part in relay teams, or those who enjoy the Walk, or the many younger people and families who do their bit in the Fun Run."

The 2010 event is sponsored by Deep RiverRock and also Aer Lingus, Belfast City Council, Charles Hurst Renault, New Balance, Sport Northern Ireland, Tayto, Translink, Up and Running,Daily Mirror, U105 and Premier Inn.

(CL/BMcC)