27/07/10 - Anticipation builds for Ireland’s first 24-hour race

The very best long distance runners are coming to Belfast this August, for the Energia Belfast 24-Hour Race at the Mary Peters track. Sponsored by Ireland’s largest independent energy supplier, Energia and supported by Belfast City Council, the race is being run over Friday 6th and Saturday 7th August.

It’s a very select grouping with competitors coming from as far afield as Madrid but there is also local talent including tree surgeon, Thomas Maguire from Belcoo in County Fermanagh.

Thomas Maguire is something of an unsung hero having won an Ultra race through the Namibian desert and the North Pole Race. However his crowning glory came last November when he won the Monaco 24-hour race in a new Irish record of 155 miles.

Race Director Ed Smith says, “Maguire set that record on the road, but Eoin Keith’s track record of 147 miles is sure to come under threat from the Fermanagh man, although there’s still a chance Keith will show-up in Belfast to turn it into a real head-to-head of the round-the-clock specialists.”

Mr Smith continues, “We also can’t discount Eddie Gallen who has lived in Madrid for the past 25 years but originally hails from Belfast. For him this race is a real coming home. He has taken part in an incredible 18 24-hour races and his best performance came in May at the World 24-hour Championships where he covered a distance of 140 miles.”

Also competing is former French athletics international Sebastien Locteau. Two years ago Locteau was confined to a wheel chair because of a back injury but he’s recovered sufficiently to be on the start-line. All who take on this daunting challenge will be heroes, as one entrant put it ‘I’ll carry on until I’m carried off.’

Hoping to do Northern Ireland proud are local runners Rob Davison from Cookstown, Graeme Colhoun from Donemana, Dungannon’s Keith Clarke and Jim Moore, Robin Alexander and Jonathan McCloy, all from Ballymena. Also competing is Ballymoney runner Harry McCloy, who is hoping to raise £3000 for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.

Race Director Ed Smith said he is thrilled with the high calibre of competitors who have entered so far, “We are looking forward to an intense battle and if you think you can compete with the runners there’s still time to enter. We are also encouraging any female Ultra runners to enter and be in with a chance of winning the £500 cash prize, for the female competitor to run the furthest distance.”

Chief Operating Officer at Energia Tom Gillen said, “This event has the same ethos as Energia’s brand model, smart committed and competitive. It is a creative way to tackle an existing sport, with energy, dynamism and creativity and we are looking forward to seeing the endurance of all the runners taking part.”

The race will being at the Mary Peters Track on 6th August at 6.45pm. For details on how to enter contact Ed Smith at ed_n_smith@hotmail.com or on 07740818389.