Belfast City Marathon sees 17 000 take to the streets on the hottest day of the year

Kenyan athletes Eric Koech and Caroline Jepchirchir claimed victory as 17,000 participants took part in the 37th annual Deep River Rock Belfast City Marathon. Laura Graham, pictured, was the 2nd woman to finish, to the delight of local crowds on a sweltering day.  

Eric raced clear of three-time winner Joel Kositany (Kenya) and Dan Tanui (Ethiopia) to win in 2:18:19, while Caroline saw off a brave effort from Northern Ireland’s reigning Belfast City Marathon Champion Laura Graham (handicap 0.0) to win in the ladies race in 2:41:23.

However, it was the aforementioned Kilkeel based athlete, Laura, who again stole the hearts of the hundreds of thousands of spectators, with an excellent performance and podium place.

The 32-year-old, a Northern Ireland and Ireland international, who has been selected for this years European Athletics Championships, held her own against Kenyan Commonwealth Games athlete competitor Caroline, who boasts a personal best some ten minutes quicker than Laura, until the latter stages.

After claiming the runners up spot in 2:43:33 (2nd place), Laura told Athletics NI, "I loved it, I enjoyed every minute of it.  I’m really happy with my performance. 

This year my main focus is the Euros and today was about a controlled effort and having fun.  I did that and I'm happy with second place behind Caroline.”

Laura added, “Belfast (Marathon) means a lot to me, the crowds were unreal.  The support from them would make you cry, it did actually!  Thanks everybody!"

Christina Bogomiakova (Ukraine) completed the top three in the ladies race in 2:46:43 (3rd place). 

Northern Ireland’s Karen Alexander (handicap 5.5), Louise Smith (handicap 4.7) and Gerrie Short (handicap 4.2) all made the top eight.  Karen crossed the line in 2:54:31 (5th place) and Louise also broke three hours with a 2:57:36 effort for 6th place.  Gerrie ran 3:04:26 for 8thplace.

In the men’s race, there was no splitting eventual winner Eric Koech and fellow Kenyan Joel Kositany for much of the race.  The pair led out and with Dan Tanui just behind, relentlessly covered the early miles.

Koech blasted into the Ormeau Park finish area and broke the tape in 2:18:19 for the win.  Tanui replicated his 2nd place finish from last year, crossing the line in 2:20:19 and Kositany was third in 2:23:40.