Queen’s gear up for ‘Race around the River’

Entries are pouring in for the annual Queen's University ‘Race around the River’ which is to take place for the third time next Wednesday.

The 5K event, which is the official warm-up race for the Belfast City Marathon, is expected to attract more than 600 runners, both serious and recreational.

Starting at the Physical Education Centre at Queen's at 7pm, the race follows two ¾ laps of a 1.8km course, finishing outside the PEC entrance.

Race organiser Paul Wilson said the race offers something for everyone. "The route is flat and fast, and has been accurately measured, so for all of those athletes looking for a good fast 5km time to end the cross country season or to begin the track season with, this race cannot be missed,” 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.

As part of the event there will also be a Family Fun Run in support of Disability Action, which will be one lap of the 5K course and starts at 6.30pm.

Limited parking, due to redevelopment, is free of charge in the PEC car park on Stranmillis Embankment all evening, but competitors are asked to arrive early and via the Ormeau Bridge side of the embankment, since traffic restrictions will be in place.

(MB/GB)