WHILE some runners took part in the recent Belfast marathon to improve on their times, many others turned out to honour family members who had died or for causes dear to their hearts.
Downpatrick mum of two Jen Banks, who is campaigning for the drug orkambi to be made available on the NHS for children like her son Lorcán, who has Cystic Fibrosis, took part in a relay race.
Jen was a member of three teams of women runners, known as the Pink Ladies from Downpatrick, who helped to raise more than £2,800 for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
The 34 year-old said that she is forever thankful for the support of the Pink Ladies who she only joined last year.
‘I was never a runner before that. I actually used to hate running. Emma Mallon runs the Pink Ladies and does it purely out of the goodness of her heart,” said Jen. “People of all fitness levels are welcome and she supports and encourages them at whatever pace they need or want to run at. When I began I couldn’t run without having to frequently stop and now I can’t believe I have run the leg of a marthon.”
“I know that the CF Trust will put this money to good use and that Lorcán and thousands of other people with CF will benefit from it in some way.”
For St Patrick’s Grammar School student James Johnston from Strangford, his reason for running was equally personal.
He and his schoolfriends — Ruairi O’Haire, Drew Barnes, Ciaran Watson, Aaron Dorriam, Niall Laverty — ran in two teams in their first marathon to aim to raise £11,000 for the Marie Curie Hospice in East Belfast.
James’ father, John, died last December after a short illness. Not only did he take part, but his sister Alexandra and mum Noeleen also took part.
James’ relay team finished in a creditable 3 hours 43 minutes and were placed 199th overall.