East Down contingent at Belfast Marathon

East Down contingent at Belfast Marathon

7 May 2025

SUNDAY morning saw athletes, runners and fundraisers from across Ireland, the UK and the world lining up for this year’s Moy Park Belfast Marathon. 

This popular event, which attracts over 6,500 marathon runners and 2,500 relay teams, covers all parts of Belfast, taking in Stormont Estate, Donegal Road, Boucher Road, Falls Road, the Waterworks and Shankill Road, before making its way back into the city centre and finishing at Ormeau Park.

East Down AC has a great history of entering athletes into the event, and this year was no different. 

With nine runners toeing the start line for the full marathon and cool, sunny conditions on offer, the race got underway at 9am.

Leading the way for EDAC was Dee Murray, who has completed many marathons around the world and had a great race, clocking 3 hrs 5 min 29 sec for 269th position. Daniel Giles has been training hard for Belfast, earning a number of PBs on the way, and he got his pacing spot on with a new PB of 3 hrs 11 min 30 sec. 

After 36 years of running, Martin Wilcox decided to get rid of the elephant in the room, by running his first marathon. 

He got a lot out of his run and learnt a lot about the distance, finishing in a time of 3 hrs 13 min 50 sec. 

East Down’s ‘Marathon Man’, Philip Vint, was not too far behind, ticking off marathon number 103 and crossing the line in 3hrs 17 mins 52 sec. 

Barrie Atkinson has also undertaken a number of marathons, and he had a sound run to come home in 3 hrs 31 min 59 secs. 

Another experienced distance runner, Stephen Heasley, took on this challenge again, enjoying the whole experience and atmosphere, while clocking a time of 4 hrs 05 mins 52 sec. 

The first East Down lady to finish the full marathon was Janine Murray, producing a brave run in 4 hrs 20 mins 22 sec. Well done Janine. 

Janine was followed by Aoife Cochrane, who has been training away quietly and will be very happy with a time of 4 hrs 24 mins 08 secs, having set a new PB. Joanne Carson brought the ladies home with a solid time of 4 hrs 30 mins 16 sec.

Clare Forester was the only club member taking part in the relay, joining her colleagues from Morrow Communications to raise money for a children’s cancer charity.

Well done to all that competed.