Nearly 2,000 runners are set to compete in the second annual SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon, taking place in Derry~Londonderry on Sunday. Race entries are now closed and the final preparations are underway for the event, which is sure to be one of the highlights of the summer in the city.
Athletes from across the globe will compete over a 26.2 mile course, taking in stunning views of the city’s waterfront roads and paths along the way. The race will take the runners through buzzing neighbourhoods and rural villages, along the banks of the River Foyle and over the city’s famous bridges, before finishing in the historic Guildhall Square.
The inaugural SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon took place last year and was one of the highlights of the City of Culture celebrations in Derry~Londonderry. A fantastic £250,000 was raised for charity, with 1,800 runners and 10,000 spectators turning out on the day. As with last year, the 2014 marathon promises to be an exciting event for the whole family. There will be plenty of entertainment for all ages, including the one mile SSE Airtricity Kids Mini Marathon for local children aged 9-17.
Noel McMonagle, Race Director of the SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon is delighted with the response from all the running clubs and community groups throughout the city helping put the marathon on. “Without the support of SSE Airtricity and Derry City Council this event would not be possible, this year we have record numbers of participants taking part who are now in the final stages of their training. We also have a small army of volunteers awaiting the marathon runners on Sunday 1st June to help them along the 26.2 miles around the city.”
Christy McMonagle age 70 running the SSE Airtricity walled city marathon for the second time said, “It’s a honour to be running a marathon in my home city. I have run races all over the world and ran 3 Derry Marathons in the 1980s but the walled city marathon is top of the list. The organisation is first class it’s all thanks to the marshals the kids at the water stations and the music around the course a big thank you must go to the sponsors who help make the marathon happen.”
In anticipation of the main event, two warm-up races have been held in the city recently. More than 350 people competed in the SSE Airtricity 10k challenge in March, and around 500 took part in the SSE Airtricity 10 mile challenge in April.
The SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon 2014 begins at 8.30am at the Everglades Hotel on Sunday 1st June. For more information on the big race, go to thewalledcitymarathon.com