Sunshine and Smiles at Newry City Half Marathon, 10k and Fun Run

Newry certainly had the feel-good factor yesterday as the annual Half Marathon, 10k and Children's 2k Fun Run took place. With 753 runners taking part in the half marathon, 559 in the 10k and several hundred in the Children's fun run the area around the Albert Basin was buzzing with life.

Beginning beside The Quays Shopping Centre, the weather could hardly have been kinder. Rain was forecast but thankfully didn't arrive. The children's fun run was certainly the most 'fun' although there was every bit as much a competitive streak as there was in the 'serious' races.

Half Marathon

First man home in the Half Marathon was Gary Morrow, 43 from North Down Athletic Club in a time of 1:13:49. Second just seven seconds later was Brendan Heaney from Armagh Athletic Club in a time of 1:13:56. Third was Martin Vanecko from PretekaRYS on 1:14:23. 

First woman home was Hayley McAteer, 27, Lagan Valley Athletic Club in 1:26:23, Melissa Eccles, North Down Athletic Club was second in a time of 1:27:58 and third was Eileen Stevenson, St Peter's Athletic Club in 1:29:23.

10K

Gary Crummy, 28, from Newry Athletic Club was first man home in the 10k race with a new course record of 0:30:58, second was Mitchel Thompson, Dark Horse Trek Club on 0:32:16 and third was Louis McCarthy, Rathfarnam WSAF in 0:33:20.

First woman home was Kerry O'Flaherty, 43 from Newcastle Athletic Club on 0:36:38, while Ciara Regan from Crusaders Athletic Club on 0:40:09 came second. Third was Collette McCourt, Roadrunners Athletic Club on 0:40:20.

Live

Something new for 2025 was the live streaming of the event with Mobile Media Productions coverage providing incredible promotional material for the Newry area. Drone footage of the Carlingford Lough area which we are privileged to call home was superb. Presenters Deborah Loughran and Declan McConaghy also did a stellar job interviewing participants and giving timely updates on the race progress.

As usual the event was sponsored by Newry BID and Newry Credit Union with support from The Quays.

Speaking to the live broadcast team Eamonn Connolly from Newry BID said "You can't help feel uplifted by the feel-good factor, the community spirit, the sense of wellness and togetherness and that is a testimony to the partnership between Newry City Runners, the media team, the Credit Union, the Quays and ourselves to bring out what's best in Newry. We're blessed with the weather and the event grows every year and we are looking forward to further success going forward"

Newry a Family Friendly Destination 

Speaking about the family friendly event Connolly added "Our future's built on experiences and If you look today at the proportion of people with their children or with their parents is very large. It's just a reflection of the event. There are many people here for best times, many people here for fun and many here for charity support  and it's just everything that's good that we want to see."

Brendan Jackson, Manager of Newry Credit Union added "The Credit Union's very very proud to be associated with the Newry Half Marathon, 10k and Children's Fun Run. It's important to be involved with the local community and sponsoring local events "

Damian Mullholland, Chairman of Newry City Runners who organise the event said  "Today was a good day for Newry, the sun shone, the runners had a fabulous time, perfect running conditions. I'm sure there was some great times out there and the feedback from everybody is they loved it today and they Can't wait to come back next year."

Well done to all involved in the production of this superb annual event.

See newrycitymarathon25 for more photographs