Race favourite: Kenyan Freddy Sittuk.
Today’s the day when hundreds of dreams may come true for hundreds of local long-distance runners.
After months of pounding the roads and strict diets, 1,500 competitors set off this morning in the second SSE Airtricity Walled City (Derry) Marathon.
After a 28 year absence, the race made an extremely successful return last year prompting to make the “one-off” event an annual fixture.
While all eyes will be on hot pre-race favourite, Kenya’s Freddy Sittuk – who won this year’s Belfast Marathon in a time of 2.18.30 – thousands are expected to turn out to cheer on loved ones, family members and friends who are taking part “for fun” – many of them competing in their first even marathon.
To help them along, pacemakers are being provided – 3 hours, 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00 and 4:30.
Last year’s winner Tommy Hughes: returns to defend his title.
They are recognisable by high vis yellow vests with their pace time on the back.
“Water stations” will be available at approximately 3 miles, 6 miles, 9.5 miles, 14 miles, 18 miles, 21 miles, 23 miles and 25 miles.
Water will be provided in 330mm sports top bottles for ease of use.
Energy gels will also be avialable at 14 miles and 21 miles – approximately a quarter of a mile before the water station to allow time for consumption before washing down with a few sips of water.
Energy drinks will be available at 17 and 22 miles.
Three ambulances as well as doctors, a rapid response unit and up to 50 first-aiders will be located along the course.
Portable toilets will also be available at approximately every five miles and at the finish.
All finishers will be presented with a bespoke Walled City Marathon Medal and a goodie bag containing a drink, fruit and a snack bar.
In addition to the 26.2 mile race, there will be a one mile mini marathon for children from the local boroughs.
THE ROUTE
After setting off at 8.30am from the Everglades Hotel at Prehen in the Waterside, the runners will head along Victoria towards Strabane.
On reaching Newbuildings, they will turn back and run towards the city along the Victoria Road as far as Craigavon Bridge.
They then will cross the bridge via its lower deck and on reaching Foyle Road, will turn left and head towards Letterkenny along Foyle Road onto Letterkenny Road going as far as Nixon’s Corner.
They will return to the city via the walk/cycle path known locally as “The Line,” then onto the Foyle Embankment before turning up on to John Street and crossing the upper deck of Craigavon Bridge.
At the Waterside end of the bridge, they will turn onto Limavady Road and run out as far as Waterfoot Park before turning back along the Waterside Greenway walk/cycle path.
On reaching the Peace Bridge, they will cross over to the cityside andrun along the Foyle Embankment towards Culmore.
After circling the Bay Road park, they will return to the city centre along Strand Road turning up on to Clarendon Street and then along Little James Street and Rossville Street.
Then it’s the steep climb of Fahan Street, along Butcher Street, around the Diamond and along Ferryquay Street and down Carlisle Road, turning sharp left onto John Street.
After rounding the Foyleside Rounadabout they will proceed along the Foyle Embankment, along Harbour Square and Queen’s Quay on to Strand Road, across Waterloo Place to the finish line in Guildhall Square where the first finisher is expected just after 10.45am.
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