Tuesday June 23^rd was a red letter day for local societies and organisations as they converged on Enterprise House in the WIN Business Park Newry to receive their cheques as designated charities in this year’s Newry City Marathon, Half Marathon and Fun Run. The evening, organised by the Newry City Marathon Committee, began with a warm welcome from Marie Mc Stay whose overview of this year’s trio of races rekindled the high octane rush of the day itself and reminded the audience of the profound success that the event had achieved on its second staging. Race Directors, Damien Mc Stay and Jackie Malone were next up on the podium to thank everyone who had helped in any way to stage the event. Both stressed the importance of volunteers and statutory bodies in enabling the day’s activities to proceed in a structured and safe fashion and extended thanks to the sponsors who stepped up to the plate in a bleak economic climate. Their support and belief in the viability and value of the day was a lynchpin in the success of the event. Special praise was reserved for the runners themselves whose efforts and achievements were the very lifeblood of the day’s activities and something which marked them out as the true heroes on the day. Attention was also drawn to the very important role that Marathon Day performed in raising money for local and national charities in that it gave organisations a focus for fundraising as well as itself making significant financial contributions to nominated charities.

The gathering was then treated to a short video clip of Marathon Day 2009 which elicited both laughter and gasps of admiration from the guests as the newry.tv footage was shown. It provided a vivid snapshot of the day and provided an important visual record of this burgeoning annual event.

Jennifer Malone, in charge of sponsorship and fundraising, then spoke at length in praise of the many sponsors who had come forward to assist in staging the events of May 25^th. She too highlighted their commitment in these challenging economic times and thanked them warmly for their help and assistance. Jennifer was followed in speaking by Naoimh Mathers who this year became the organiser and director of the Buttercrane sponsored Fun Run. This event, which attracted hundreds of competitors spanning all ages and abilities, was one of the highlights of the day and was an unqualified success. Naoimh thanked Peter Murray of Buttercrane for his support and help and complimented the wide spectrum of participants and volunteers who enabled the event to become both a celebration and spectacle.

The distribution of cheques to the designated charities followed with Newry Hospice, Newry Cancer Research, Concern (Third World), NI Chest Heart and Stroke, Headway Newry Group, Mc Millan Nurses, Woman’s Aid Newry and Kidney Research NI all receiving  donations. Each recipient spoke highly of the marathon event and its positive impact upon their finances.

The evening ended with Marie Mc Stay once again thanking the multitude present and all those who helped and participated in any way for their support adding that assistance in any shape or form for this truly valuable cross-community event was always welcome.