On Monday this year's Belfast Marathon saw not only the biggest ever field of runners but also the biggest ever East Down AC squad taking on the tough 26.2 mile challenge.  Philip Vint and Nigel Martin led the way with Philip just shading the positions by 7 seconds as both clocked new PBs of 3.15, a testament to months of hard, dedicated training – and what a confidence boost this result gives them for the future. But they were not alone in setting new best times with Brian Hamilton, 3.23 and 2nd in the Over 60 Category, Michael McKeown, 3.23, Declan Teague 3.36, and Simon McGrattan 4.07 all exceeding their previous efforts and Gerard Burns clocking a consistent 3.31. Raymond Milligan and Seamus Murphy, though not at their best returned very respectable 3.48s and Heather Lindsay, looking as fresh as anyone at 23 miles and well in control, came home in 4.44.

Well done to all of them and to all from Down District who completed the classic distance, including several walkers from Gordon's Chemists, and those who completed a leg of the Relay – perhaps next year will see you take on the full distance?

10 May 2009