Belfast Marathon Blog - In Aid of ME Research

In Aid of ME Research May 4th 2009

Today did not start of promising. With rain forecast, we dug out the old rain coats and made our way to the City Hall to cheer on Paul and Chris who were running the first and second leg of the Relay of the Belfast City Marathon (6 miles & 3.5 miles)). Jeanette and Sandra joined them in Bridge Street for the 2nd leg, and we were joined by Paul and Leanne, making our way up the Falls, Clonard, onto the Springfeild Road and through to Lanark Way. We were greeted on the Shankill by our Auntie Margaret, and finally completed the 2nd leg of the relay at Hillview Road (3.5 miles). We then had a lovely walk back home. Sam our veteran runner continued on for the next 2 legs from Hillview Road to Gideon's Green (7.1 miles) and then onto Corporation Street (4.8 miles). Not having had enough fun, Jeanette Paul, and Leanne joined me for the final run in from Corporation Street to the Ormeau Park (4.8 miles). We had a lovely run along the embankment, with lovely views across to Ormeau Park. Jeanette did consider swimming across, it was very tempting, but alas decided to struggle on. The last mile was the killer - someone definitely was moving the gate to the Park, or maybe it just felt that way. We had great encouragement along the way, mind you if we the heard the words "not long now" one more time we thought we might have to punch someone (god bless them). Paul went through the finish line at 3 hours 24 minutes without his timing tag lol, I struggled through in 3hrs 34 miniutes with Jeanette and Leanne close behind. We then made our way back out of the park another 2 mile jaunt to the van for our pick up.

Bloody hell, we thought, how are we going to beat that next year.

Anyone wishing to sponsor us can still do so on our Just giving page at:

http://www.justgiving.com/antoinette...

Big thank you to all our supporters and sponsors, to Chris and Sam for their continued support throughout the years, to Leanne, who was a wee star and great running partner. Thank you to the Apartment at the City Hall, for the lovely coffee and use of the their facilities. Well done to all those who participated along the way, in particular the guys running for the Alzheimer's Society, who we met and chatted with at the City Hall.

2010 here we come!