2018 Lisburn Coca-Cola HBC Half Marathon, 10K & Fun Run
June 21, 2018
Over 6,000 runners lined up at the start line on Wednesday 20th June to take part in the popular 36th Lisburn Coca-Cola HBC Half Marathon, 10K Road Race and Fun Run. The event which was organised by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council was hailed a terrific success as both competitive runners, beginners and families all took up the challenge at one of Northern Ireland’s largest running events.
Adrenaline levels soared as the event got off to a flying start with the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Uel Mackin officiating the countdown to the Half Marathon, followed by the Chairman of the Council’s Leisure & Community Development Committee, Alderman Paul Porter overseeing the start of the 10K Road Race. Coca Cola’s Gillian Shields had the pleasure of launching the start of the Fun Run.
Both international and local runners crossed the finishing line with the impressive Rachel Mitchell taking top honours in the women’s Half Marathon, while Karen Alexander took a well-deserved second spot and Susan Smith third. In the men’s Half Marathon, Keith Shields, made it on to the podium in first place, with Conal McCambridge taking second place and Daniel Stauber finishing a strong third.
In the Half Marathon Wheelchair race, both Paul Hannan and Jim Corbett tied for first place.
The experienced Jessica Craig crossed the finish line in first place in the 10K, followed by Rebecca Henderson in second and Sinéad Murtagh in third place. In the men's 10K, Chris Madden finished in first place, closely followed by Andrew Annett in second place and Eoin Hughes in third.
In the 10K Wheelchair race, David Kerr finished in first place, with Darrell Thomas placed second.
Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council, Councillor Uel Mackin said, “The Half Marathon, 10k Road Race and Fun Run have been firm favourites with runners over the last 36 years and we are proud that the event has now become one of Northern Ireland’s largest participatory sports events.
“It was a pleasure to officiate the start of the Half Marathon and see so many runners of all ages and levels of experience taking part in this great event. I was particularly delighted to welcome many international runners who had travelled a great distance to take part which highlights the calibre of this event with half marathon runners around the world.
“Finally I would also like to thank Coca-Cola HBC for their continued support, which is very much key to the success of the event,” concluded Councillor Mackin.
The Chairman of the Council’s Leisure and Community Development Committee, Alderman Paul Porter added, “The Council has a proud history of sporting success and I am delighted that we can continue to organise this event which inspires people to get active and strive towards their own personal goals.
“It was fantastic to see so many people come out in force to take part in the three events from competitive runners aiming for personal bests to those just running for fun with family and friends. We are pleased that we can organise so many sporting events like this one, which provide such encouragement and focus for people to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“I would like to thank everyone involved in organising such a successful event. I would particularly like to thank to our title sponsors Coca-Cola HBC for their continued support towards this great event.”
Gillian Shields Community Affairs Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland said: “Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland are proud once again to be part of this event which is focussed just as much on community spirit as it is on being active. The 2018 event was superb. Congratulations to all the participants on completing their respective runs, to all the winners of this year’s races, to the organisers of this year’s event and more importantly to those who helped raised much needed funds for many charitable organisations.”
To view photographs from the event, please visit www.lisburnhalfmarathon.com or check out the Council’s Sports Development Facebook page, Beactivelisburncastlereagh.
