SSE Airtricity Gas NI Limited - Runners ready for SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon 2018

01 June 2018

The sixth SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon takes place this Sunday (3rd June), when almost 2,000 runners will take on the 26.2 mile challenge around the streets of Derry~Londonderry.

The race will take the runners along the banks of the River Foyle, through the busy streets of the city, across the iconic Peace Bridge, before twisting and turning through the old streets along the City Walls to the finish at the historic Guildhall Square. Once again they will be joined by hundreds of children in the one mile mini marathon.

Last year’s winner Dan Tanui will be back to defend his title, while the women’s race includes Hannah Shields, who in 2007 became the first woman from Northern Ireland to climb Mount Everest

Speaking ahead of the marathon, which will be the last for SSE Airtricity as Principal Sponsor, Vicky Boden from SSE Airtricity said:

“This is the sixth year of the SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon, and it marks our final year as Principal Sponsor of this truly great sporting and community event in the North West. We’re immensely proud of all that has been achieved by everyone involved in promoting the Walled City Marathon to become one of the most important long distance running events locally. 

“When we came on board as inaugural sponsor in 2013, when marathon running returned to the Walled City for the first time in a generation, we were hugely impressed by the carnival atmosphere the Marathon brings to the city. The combination of the beautiful city surroundings, the pursuit and achievement of personal goals over 26.2 miles by seasoned and novice runners alike, and the incredible support offered by local spectators to participating runners makes the Walled City Marathon a highlight of every June. Beyond all else, the tireless commitment of the voluntary race organisers has made our involvement in the annual Walled City Marathon a firm favourite for everyone at SSE Airtricity. We wish Noel, Scott and all the organising team the very best for the future and we look forward to cheering on everyone involved in future Walled City Marathons for many more years to come.”

Noel McMonagle, Race Director, added:

“Anyone who has participated in the Walled City Marathon or has been in the city on race day over the last six years cannot help but be impressed by the event, and we’re very grateful to SSE Airtricity for the important role it has played in ensuring the success of the event year on year.

“I’m delighted to say that this weekend will see even more participants take on the challenge. We look forward to welcoming all of our runners for this Sunday’s event and the many thousands of people who will come to the city to cheer them on.”

Inspired by the 2013 UK City of Culture designation and the long-standing tradition of road running in the Maiden City, a small group of local runners, with crucial support from both SSE Airtricity and the local Council, successfully staged the inaugural SSE Airtricity Walled City Marathon in June 2013. Since then, each year has seen more and more competitors willing to take the challenge, and the whole City has embraced the event to create a carnival atmosphere. 

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