KENYAN athletes have raced to victory in today's Belfast Marathon with Eric Koech winning the men's competition with a time of 2:18:20 and Caroline Jepchirchir claiming victory in the women's run in 2:41:17.
Last year's winner in the women's race, Laura Graham from Kilkeel in Co Down, finished second in 2:43:34. In 2017 she became the first woman from the north to secure victory since 1999.
Top 3 NI Male and Female finishers at @marathonbcm pic.twitter.com/Mizj99q7kY
— Ryan Maxwell (@NiRunning) May 7, 2018
One fun runner attracted attention after completing the course on a space hopper.
Michael James from Newtownards finished the three-mile fun run in 1hr 20mins to raise money for Autistica, a charity that funds medical research to improve the lives of those with autism.
Fair play to the space hopper guy @belfastmarathon @irish_news #belfastmarathon pic.twitter.com/UE7QsSBVyQ — Mal McCann (@MalMccann) May 7, 2018
The Alzheimer's Society NI are out in force cheering on runners in the Belfast City Marathon@AlzSocNI pic.twitter.com/xfe9gdjfPr
— The Irish News (@irish_news) May 7, 2018
The Children's Heartbeat Trust are giving it plenty of welly today at Belfast City Marathon @Chldns_Hrtbeat pic.twitter.com/I3RC5VIoGQ
— Maeve Connolly (@ConnollyMaeve) May 7, 2018
Carly Shaker and her husband Sasha lost their infant son Ru to a rare form of paediatric cancer last summer. Today 22 of their friends ran the Belfast City Marathon to support Ru's Fund pic.twitter.com/9ZzidSD4AK
— The Irish News (@irish_news) May 7, 2018
Eric Koech- the winner of this year’s #BelfastCityMarathon on the podium!!! @qnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/vyQGaSwx3e
— Simon Hunter (@simezsez) May 7, 2018
Winner of this year’s #BelfastCityMarathon Eric Koech chats to @qnewsdesk and he’s a happy man! pic.twitter.com/v4T8eOJyIl
— Simon Hunter (@simezsez) May 7, 2018
It wasn’t to be a double for defending champion Laura Graham from @MourneRunners, coming second to Caroline Jepchirchir in the women’s race, but she’s delighted and has thanked her family, including four young children, and fans for supporting her! @qnewsdesk pic.twitter.com/gB052j5L06 — Simon Hunter (@simezsez) May 7, 2018