Over 30 staff from The LYCRA Company’s plant in Maydown are looking forward to playing a lead role in the 41st edition of the Waterside Half Marathon (WHF) when it returns to local streets and greenways on Sunday September 1st.
The industry leading manufacturer of fiber and technology solutions for the apparel and personal care industries is partnering with event organisers Derry City and Strabane District Council as lead sponsors of the event and their staff are set to back it in large numbers.
The LYCRA Company has registered 18 individuals and two relay teams for the event which sold out in record time last month and will man the final water station on the course at Bay Road as runners head into the home straight down the quay, over the Peace Bridge and into Ebrington Square.
“The LYCRA Company is delighted to be partnering with the Waterside Half Marathon as sponsors for 2024,” said The LYCRA Company’s Maydown Technical Manager James McMonagle.
“We were keen to partner with an event that promotes community spirit and healthy choices, so the Waterside Half represents an ideal fit.
“It is the biggest and one of the longest running sports events in the North West, and one that brings the whole community together whether they are taking part or supporting the runners.
“As a company, the mental and physical wellbeing of our employees is a high priority and we have seen first hand the positive health impact that physical activity has had for our staff.
“The original route of the event was a run out to our location in Maydown and back and Lycra® fibres are used in a lot of the gear runners wear on race day, so there are lots of synergies between our company and this brilliant event.”
The LYCRA Company Technician and Foyle Valley club member Micky McDermott is one of the more experienced runners of the group and he has fond and emotional memories of taking part in the event.
“I’ve been involved with the club since its inception in the early 90s and the Waterside Half has always been a highlight of the season,” he recalled.
“In the 90s it was an out and back run through Maydown but the course has improved a lot over the years to take in more of the city and the greenways, the four bridges course for this year looks brilliant.
“My daughter Aine is doing her first half at it this year and she talked me into doing it one night, I’m not going to put myself under any pressure looking for a time this year I’m just going to go out and enjoy it!”
Toni Devlin is a new addition to the team at The LYCRA Company having taken up a Business Support Co-ordinator role in May of this year.
She ran the full 13.1 miles at last year’s event however a broken finger has curtailed her training so she has opted for the relay element with colleagues Michael Hegarty and Emma Walker.
“Preparing for the Waterside Half Marathon has been a great way for me to meet other members of the team at The LYCRA Company,” admitted Toni who also plays second row for City of Derry Rugby Club Ladies.
“I started doing the Derry City Parkrun in January but I haven’t been able to run as much this year because of my finger so it’s great to have the option to still take part on race day through the relay.
“I’m doing the last leg that includes passing my colleagues at the water station so hopefully they’ll give me a lift and I’m looking forward to finishing at Ebrington Square again and seeing my husband Sean who is running the full distance.”
Business Support team member Andrew King will be one of those manning that water station on Bay Road. “I’m delighted with the spot we have on the new greenway,” he said.
“We’re the last water station on the route, a lot of runners will be hitting the wall at this point, so we’ll be doing all we can to give them a lift as they head into the final two miles.
“I’ve always been into sport and played rugby with City of Derry and YMCA but I’m not much of a runner, so this is a great chance to get the race day buzz and give something back to those taking part.
“Having such a big group involved in the event has brought us all together and has been great for work morale, I’d certainly recommend it to other companies to get involved.”
Details of the full route map and race day details are available on the event website at: www.derrystrabane.com/whm
If you or your company are interested in getting involved in the Waterside Half Marathon, you can contact the Derry and Strabane Events Team at [email protected].
Tags: