Organisers of the Mash Direct Belfast City Half Marathon are delighted to open entries for their ninth event which takes place on Sunday September 18.
The event is an extension of the popular May marathon event which moves into its 40th anniversary year on Sunday, May 1.
It is the largest half marathon in Northern Ireland and has seen a massive growth in numbers, selling out for four years in a row. In 2022, a record number of 6,000 are expected to take part in September.
The event was launched on Thursday morning by John Allen, Chairman of the Belfast City Marathon, at Mash Direct’s HQ in Comber.
Read more: Belfast Marathon celebrates 40 years
John Allen, Chairman of the Belfast City Marathon organising committee, said: “We are delighted to return in 2022 with our popular Half Marathon event, which includes a more scenic route through Botanic Gardens this September. We anticipate record numbers this year and would encourage runners to register as early as possible to avoid any disappointment.
"I would like to thank all of our participants, sponsors and volunteers for their ongoing support and look forward to seeing you all on Sunday 18th September 2022.”
The popular Half Marathon course largely remains the same but has been developed this year to include a more scenic route through Botanic Gardens onto Stranmillis Embankment (taking out University Street).
The start of the race on Ormeau Embankment will also move closer to the Ormeau Park, Ozone Leisure Centre entrance. Full details of the route can be found on the event website at www.belfastcitymarathon.com
Also new this year, participants will be able to collect their race packs through QR Code scanning at the event Expo and Pack Collection on Saturday 17th September in the TEC Belfast.
Mash Direct the new title sponsor of the Mash Direct Belfast City Half Marathon will be working to implement several initiatives to empower entrants to get fit and increase vegetable their consumption for a healthier lifestyle.
Clare Forster, Head of Marketing, Mash Direct, said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the Mash Direct Belfast City Half Marathon 2022. We are really thrilled to be involved in the exciting #MASHathon event to help e ncourage participants to get involved and promote healthy eating.
"We have just launched our ‘Food for Good’ campaign to help empower our consumers to boost their health and wellbeing, as well as increase their vegetable consumption. As our farm is just a short distance away from the Half Marathon route, this partnership ties in perfectly with our health initiatives and local community engagement.
"We have lots of convenient, fresh, and quick serve vegetable side dishes to help you to get your five a day. We are looking forward to supporting this incredible event and would like to encourage as many participants as possible and members of the community to sign up and get involved the Half Marathon.’’
Entries are OPEN NOW for the 2022 Mash Direct Belfast City Half Marathon via the Eventmaster registration system at www.belfastcitymarathon.com . The final entry deadline will be at midnight on Friday August 26, 2022.
The Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Athletics Northern Ireland, Daily Mirror, Belfast City Council, Better, Cool FM (Downtown Radio and Downtown Country), Translink, Belfast Live, Tayto, Four Star Pizza and CompareNI.com.
This year’s official charity is Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.
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