Northern Ireland

Belfast virtual marathon runners raise £40,000 for Cancer Focus NI

Sandra Deane in Belfast was among the thousands who took part in the Belfast City Virtual Marathon, which raised £40,000 for its official charity Cancer Focus NI
Sandra Deane in Belfast was among the thousands who took part in the Belfast City Virtual Marathon, which raised £40,000 for its official charity Cancer Focus NI Sandra Deane in Belfast was among the thousands who took part in the Belfast City Virtual Marathon, which raised £40,000 for its official charity Cancer Focus NI

A VIRTUAL marathon organised in place of the cancelled Belfast event has raised £40,000 for a cancer charity.

More than 3,500 runners and walkers took part, helping to raise funds for Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.

It was held by the organisers of the Belfast City Marathon after the coronavirus pandemic led to this year's run being postponed and later cancelled.

Participants were encouraged to cover 26.2 miles over a number of days or weeks before June 30, following social distancing restrictions.

They were able to record their times on Garmin or Strava apps and were rewarded with a virtual race medal, with the final times published on the Belfast City Marathon website.

Cancer Focus NI is Belfast City Marathon's official race charity partner for 2020.

Kathryn Holland, the charity's outdoor events manager, said: "We are thrilled that so many people came out to support the event and raise money for us."

She said that due to the pandemic, their funds have "plummeted to a critically low level and we are worried that we will not be able to keep our doors open".

Ms Holland urged people to continue supporting the charity through its virtual fundraising events, which can been viewed on cancerfocusni.org/events.