Rain cannot stop runners

Rain cannot stop runners

22 October 2025

WITH a yellow weather warning in place on Sunday morning, most people would have stayed indoors and in bed, but not runners. 

If they are signed up for a race, they will be there, and that was the case when a group of Murlough AC chanced the flooded roads, torrential rain and wind to take part in the Centra Run Together 5 and 10K races in Ormeau Park, Belfast. 

Last year’s event had to be rescheduled, due to stormy weather, and there was a possibility of this happening again. We had to wait until 8am to get the go-ahead. 

However, weather conditions in Belfast were not as bad as they were at home — the rain may have been relentless, but at least it was vertical, not horizontal. 

The races started and finished beside the Ozone Centre, with a section travelling along the embankment and back into the park. 

Most of the MAC runners entered the 5K race, while only four opted for the longer 10k course. 

Ciara Hardy ran a strong race to cross the line first for MAC, in the 10K, with a time of 52.41. She was followed in by Marty Rawlinson, Mary Flanagan and Mags Rowantree. 

In the shorter 5K race, Anne McCormick had a quick start and maintained the pace to finish in 25.30 — a PB at this distance. 

Annie McCartan was next, followed by the ever-improving Shannon McCavery. 

New member Ciara Laverty is also to be congratulated on achieving a PB. She completed her first 5K in August, ran on Sunday and improved her time by over three minutes. 

All of the MAC athletes deserve to be applauded for turning out on the day. Everyone got wet walking to the race start, wetter running it and were soaked through by the end. 

This is a very popular charity event, with over 1,000 entries, the proceeds of which go towards Action Cancer.