Belfast prepares for record-breaking marathon

21 April 2009 -

May Day bank holiday Monday in Belfast will see the city host its most successful marathon ever.

Over 16,500 sports fans looking to take part in events in Northern Ireland have signed up for the race, which will see fun runners mixing with established athletes.

Danny O'Connor, chairman of the event's organising committee, commented: "We enjoyed a record-breaking year in 2008, with almost 15,000 people taking part in the four events: this was more than double the entry level of just six years ago and now we've absolutely smashed that entry record."

Kenyan athlete John Mutai will be looking to make it a hat-trick of wins on May Day, with his main challenges likely to come from Ukraine's Vyachesla Prikhadko, who finished third last year, and fellow Kenyan Zak Kihara.

From April 27th to May 3rd, sports shop Up & Running in Belfast will be providing expert gait analysis for all those participating in the marathon.