None Wind denies hat trick Mutai his Marathon Record
Kenyan Marathon maestro John Mutai must wonder if luck will ever be on his side in his continual quest to beat Marty Deane’s sub 2 hrs 16 mins Belfast Marathon record. Despite yet another valiant attempt in yesterdays race an ever increasing wind in the exposed Duncrue Estate section put paid to his hopes of a new record. At least he had the consolation of recording an unprecedented hat trick of victories.
And yet for most of the race the leader set a pace which made a record time a distinct possibility. Former Great North winner Mutai had the able services of team mate Zach Kihara who set a fierce pace which saw the duo reach 10 miles in 52 minutes. At the halfway mark at the top of the Antrim Road hill an impatient Mutai had forged a 50 metres lead in a highly respectable 68 minutes.
2 minutes further back was last years 5th finisher Sergiu Turea of Moldovia who in turn was a minute ahead of Denmark’s Hendrick Jensen and 1st local athlete Alan McCullough who was in close contact with Clonliffe’s Robert Malseed.
In the Ladies race Kenya’s Joyce Kandie who won 3 years ago was racing with team mate Joyce Kirui. Local girl Suzanne McCormick was having the race of her life behind 3rd placer Svetlana Shepeleva of Moldovia.
Mutai’s record attempt was still on at the 20 mile mark which he reached in 1hr 44 minutes. However, by then he was suffering from the double setback of racing on his own in open spaces against an ever increasing wind. By the time he reached the relative shelter of the closing Ormeau Road section the record had gone but Mutai still crossed the line in a highly respectable 2 hrs 17 minutes 34 seconds which ranks in the top 10 fastest of Belfast’s 28 Marathons.
Kihara jogged in nearly 4 minutes later thereby reserving some energy for his next Marathon in China in 3 weeks time. Turea took the bronze medal and a battling Alan McCullough was a courageous 5th after suffering in the fierce wind in the closing stages. At least he had the consolation of a £1,000 prize for 1st local finisher.
The 2 Kenyan woman were also effected by the wind with Kandie taking her 2nd title in 3 years in 2.47.44- over 2 minuets ahead of Kirui. Next came Shepeleva followed by a delighted Suzanne McCormick who shaved no less than 4 minuets off her PB.
Despite the indifferent weather, Marathon organisers were delighted with the record turnout of over 17,000 participants in the various events-an increase of 2,000 from last year. The 3,000 entries in the Marathon included 5 intrepid runners raising funds for cancer in memory of one Martin Caher- just one example of the countless efforts to provide many thousands of pounds for various charities.
Dame Mary Peters, the patron of Athletics Northern Ireland, was also among the supporters congratulating all the athletes and competitors.
“I just feel so proud to see such a huge crowd at the City Hall and then at Ormeau Park,” she said. “It is just wonderful, I admire all the people who participate and so many charities benefit with Cystic Fibrosis the main one this year.”
Dame Mary added:“It is a major event for Northern Ireland. A lot of these people would never do sport, but they get involved and raise money and awareness for many charities — it is an inspirational day,” And it is the biggest turn out ever, which is something to be very proud of.” she said.
NI clubs were also in action in the relay competition with Up & Running winning the mens event (2.20.43) followed by Abbey AC while Abbey also captured the Womens title. Judi Graham, Hannah Waugh, Gladys Ganiel-O’Neill, Louise McNeill and Sarah Magowan were well clear of the field in the competition for female teams, finishing up in 2.49.53.
Results available to download here: