Ballymena Runners out in force at Belfast Marathon
Ballymena Runners were out in force joining thousands of runners at the Belfast City Marathon, and relay, which returned to its traditional Spring May Day weekend for the first time in three years.
Ladies Relay Team Charlotte, Geraldine, Emma, Sinead and Naomi
Irish Olympic athlete Paul Pollock won the men's race in a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 13 seconds.
This year's event celebrating its 40th year started at the Stormont Estate then followed a 26.2 mile-long route across east, north, west and south Belfast, before finishing in Ormeau Park.
Ben Morrow running in the Marathon
Jim Moore
John Nicholson
Vicky Ratner
Running in the Mournes
The first race was at Castlewellan Forest and the second at Tollymore Forest before heading higher into the Mourne Mountains.
Ballymena Runners at the Castlewellan race
BRAC at Tollymore
Race three was at Slieve Martin starting in Kilbroney Forest and is classified as “short” in the NIMRA fixtures.
Ballymena Runners at Slieve Martin race
After a prolonged dry spell, the ground was firm underfoot, and with the sun shining and a light breeze, conditions were perfect on the evening of the race. First home for Ballymena was Mark Alexander in 40:24 followed by William Fleck in 41.22. The first pair were followed by John Hasson in 43.37 and Nigel McClintock in 44.15. Duncan Millar finished in 45.16, Tim Lowry in 47.06, Stephen Reid in 49.59 and Emma Donnelly 1.01.42.
The next race is up Slieve Binnian, with the rest of the series covering Rocky Mountain, the Millstone, Loughshannagh, and ‘the Meels’ with the final race covering Drinnahilly Mountain.