Going the Extra Mile:
FD Takes on the Belfast Marathon Relay

Many people may think the marathon only starts when the first runners cross the line but for many it’s the weeks and months of prep beforehand which show the true test of endurance. For FD colleagues, the first true day felt like Friday. The excitement was beginning to build with expo pack collection and team members popping into the office to collect their packs.

We were treated with lots of sports nutrition from the Belfast city marathon team, electrolytes, gels, a marathon t shirt, branded socks and our FD team shirts.

Nerves started to set in Saturday evening with everyone planning logistics and what time they would arrive at relay changeover points.

The first runners headed over to Stormont ready for a 9am start. This year, we had four fantastic teams taking part, each made up of colleagues from across the business. Whether it was the seasoned runners or those taking on their first marathon relay, everyone brought their A-game and plenty of enthusiasm.

Meet the Teams

At 9am locations were shared and the first leg runners set off, excitement, speed and maybe some nerves fuelling the fast participants. Just over 30 minutes later the first FD team made it to the changeover on Montgomery road.  Team 1 was leading the way with the other teams following shortly after. Changeovers weren’t like the typical relay race many may think of. There was pictures and excitement as one person finished the next was raring to go.

Leg 2 was the longest of the 5, being just over 10km long but everyone sped through, getting scenic views of Belfast city centre and crowds cheering them along. Messages came into the group chat that the people taking part in leg 3 were eagerly awaiting from 10am and by 10:40 leg 3 had started. The pictures were coming in thick and fast and the buzz in the group chat was at a high as we were approaching the half way mark.

It was tight between the 4 teams with not much difference between them all but coming up was Leg 4 which is known as the toughest leg. The elevation is the highest and the runners had many hills to tackle so they were feeling exhausted when approaching the final changeover point.  Now it was onto the final leg and all way to play for.

Some of earlier team members had already made their way along to the Ormeau road to cheer on the leg 5 runners at their final mile.

There was a last minute change in positions along the Ravenhill when FD team 3 just overtook FD team 4.

3 hours and 42 minutes after starting the first FD team finished their relay. 10 minutes later at 3 hours and 52 minutes was the next team and just minutes later at 3hr and 56 minutes was the 3rd FD team. Not long after the final team passed through the finish line.

Members of the team met at the Ormeau road for a much deserved pint and celebration after their run.

Special shout out to Jack Howard for competing in leg 3 and continuing onto the finish as part of his training for an Ironman in 6 weeks.

Also special shout out to Mark Barr for competing in leg 4 and waiting for his wife who was completing the whole marathon, and he supported her onto the finish doing over double the distance he was planning!

It was a great day of craic, exercise and the rain thankfully held off except for a few drops here and there.

Well done to everyone who competed in the relay and whole marathon! Here’s to many more marathons and team challenges ahead!