'Race around the River' attracts 700 runners

This year's Queen's University's ‘Race around the River’, which took place on Thursday night, was won by local man Paddy Hamilton from Annadale Striders.

The 5K event, which attracted almost 700 runners, both serious and recreational, is now in its third year and is the official warm-up race for the Belfast City Marathon.

Organised by the university's Athletics Club, the event also featured a family fun run in support of Disability Action.

Race organiser Paul Wilson said he was delighted with the turnout. "I am particularly delighted with the large numbers who turned out to support this event, which is just getting bigger and bigger every year.

“It's now becoming a must on the local athletics calendar and I would like to thank all those who have contributed to its success, including Queen's University and Belfast City Council," he said.

The race was recently awarded a BARR (British Association of Road Running) Bronze Award for Race Management – only the second event in Northern Ireland, after the Marathon, to do so.

(MB)