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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Sophie McLaughlin

First woman to win the Belfast City Marathon reflects on her 'thrilling' victory 40 years on

40 years on since Sue Boreham made history as the first woman to cross the finish line at the Belfast City Marathon, she still can remember the feeling of that victory.

Just 23 at the time, Sue was greeted with the cheers of her loved ones as she completed the first-ever Belfast Marathon event in 1982.

With an impressive time of 3:11:26, she told Belfast Live she never could have expected that her name would be forever remembered alongside the momentous Northern Irish event.

Read more: Ultimate guide to the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon 2022

Sue said: "I had no expectations of coming in first - I was totally thrilled by it and it was such a great year to be the first lady home.

"It was great to have a reception waiting for me with my father and my husband and aunt, everybody cheering it was just a fantastic atmosphere. Really brilliant."

After catching the bug for the long run, Sue competed in the 1983 event and also in the relay events that were introduced in 1989.

"I think the relay was absolutely a fantastic thing to do because it just livened everything up and got all of those people involved who couldn't manage 26 miles.

"It just increased the feel-good factor of the whole marathon and it was an excellent idea," she explained.

Sue cannot believe that it has been a whole 40 years since she landed her place in the history books.

She added: "Every year whizzes by - I was 40 years married just before the marathon and it has just gone in a flash."

As someone who participated in the inaugural event, she has enjoyed watching the Belfast City Marathon grow from strength to strength over the last four decades.

"I have been so delighted that the hard work of everyone who organises that every year has really paid off and I take my hat off to them all and thank them all most heartedly for all their hard work," Sue continued.

"When things were going down, they came up with the idea of the relay and they have just kept at it and made it into such a big thing for Belfast."

Her advice for anyone preparing to tie up the laces and follow in her fast footsteps is to make sure they are prepared for whatever weather may come their way on Sunday and keep themselves hydrated.

She said: "I would say to the crowd to give all the support you can and just go out there and enjoy it. Do your best and good luck to everyone."

Read more: Bars near Ormeau Park for celebrations after the Belfast City Marathon

Read more: Share your memories of the Belfast City Marathon as they celebrate 40 years

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