East Down AC
SUNDAY morning saw 11 East Down AC athletes make their way to Ormeau Park for the biggest half marathon event in Northern Ireland.
The 2026 Belfast City Half Marathon featured a slightly different route than last year, starting on the Ormeau Embankment and heading up the Ravenhill Road and down the Ormeau Road.
This year’s route took in south, east, north and west Belfast, including a new section in the east of the city.
The race also used more of the greenways instead of the Sydenham Bypass before travelling through Victoria Park and into the Titanic Quarter.
With sunny and breezy conditions, over 6,957 runners took to the start line.
EDAC’s Neil Curran was the first home in the red and yellow vest, having an amazing run to finish in 48th position in a time of 1 hour 16 minutes 44 seconds.
Caroline McNabb was another club member who had a strong run, recording a personal best of 1 hour 18 minutes 02 seconds, knocking a minute off her previous best and finishing as fourth lady over the line.
Barrie Atkinson was next in with a strong performance after injury, coming home in 1 hour 22 minutes 36 seconds. Martin Willcox was the fourth EDAC member around the course.
This year Martin was running for the NI Hospice charity and was happy with his run, crossing the line in 1 hour 26 minutes 32 seconds. Not too far behind Martin was Philip Vint, who is coming back into form after a lay-off.
It is great to see Philip back on the road, and he was very happy with his time of 1 hour 33 minutes 41 seconds.
Eamon Kelly was back for another go at this half marathon and put in a strong run, crossing the line in 1 hour 40 minutes 21 seconds.
Next to break the tape was half marathon newbie Conor Leonard.
For his first half marathon, Conor ran a strong race, finishing in 1 hour 43 minutes.
He was also raising money for Northern Ireland Air Ambulance – well done to him.
Second lady to finish was Sharon Madine, who had another great run in 1 hour 50 minutes 35 seconds.
Old hand James Magennis had a great run in 1 hour 53 minutes 05 seconds.
East Down’s team captain John Taylor was leading by example and had a solid run in 1 hour 56 minutes 20 seconds. Not too far behind John was Janine Murray, who had not taken on this challenge for a number of years.
Janine enjoyed the new route, crossing the line in 1 hour 56 minutes 49 seconds.
Bringing the club home was Stephen McCarten, who has completed the race many times and put in another well-paced run in 1 hour 56 minutes 56 seconds.
Well done to all the club members who ran at and supported this well-organised event.
