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BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Belfast City Marathon 2025: Record chasers and rookies lace up for race
As the 43rd Belfast City Marathon approaches, the city buzzes with energy, excitement, and the sound of running shoes hitting the elite runners, to first-timers just hoping to cross the finish line on Sunday, thousands of people are gearing up for one of Northern Ireland's most celebrated sporting some, it's a chance to compete at the highest level; for others, it's about personal achievement or raising money for a News NI spoke to four people taking part this weekend. 'If I can do it anyone can' Elaine McAnulty, from County Down, hopes to become the first woman in Northern Ireland to complete 400 official marathons, marking the milestone on the streets of Belfast, where her running journey first began, and cementing her name in history."It's a special achievement, but I believe if I can do it anyone can. "I don't consider myself a runner, it's a hobby for me and I hope to continue for as long as I am able and enjoying it," she told BBC News 54-year-old Banbridge woman said she was "bitten by the running bug" 15 years ago and she enjoys the "real adrenaline rush" when crossing the finish line. 'Enjoy every minute' From Belfast to the Bahamas, Elaine has travelled the world competing in marathons, including four of the six in the prestigious World Mega Marathon Rankings as the 118th female marathon runner in the world, Elaine's next big goal is to break into the top 100."As someone who isn't a professional athlete and juggling a busy job it would prove that anything is achievable... If it happens, it happens, I'm not putting any pressure on myself."Elaine plans to celebrate this weekend with "a big mug of tea" at the finish doesn't go anywhere without her a seasoned marathon runner, Elaine's advice to newcomers is: "Put your head down, get your shoes on and get on with it. Don't leave it too long before signing up to do your next one and enjoy every minute of it." 'It's probably changed my life' Self-confessed reluctant runner Scott Lawther is also taking to the streets this Sunday in his bid to complete a personal started running last June, with weight loss as an initial motivation, and regularly shares his progress with thousands of followers on TikTok in an effort to hold himself accountable."I really didn't enjoy it that much but I just persevered, everything I heard was, 'you have to break through the barrier'. It took about eight weeks before it actually became enjoyable," he said."In the build up to a marathon, you're meant to do a fair bit of volume, there's definitely times where I could not be bothered at all, but there's also runs where you feel on top of the world." Approaching the race, Scott said is excited and anxious."Part of the nerves is that I've put myself out there to the world," he said. "I am the definition of the least runner-type person, now after doing it for a year I love it."It's a bit cringey but it probably has changed my life in a way. It does suck absolutely at times, but it has lots of perks."Aiming for a time of under four hours on Sunday, Scott is already looking forward to next year when he hopes to compete in the London advice for aspiring athletes? "Take it slow, build it up and if you're consistent you'll reap the rewards of it." 'It's not about disability - it's about her ability' Also preparing for Sunday's race is Derek Goodfellow from Belfast, who aims to complete the marathon alongside his daughter, pair returned this week from Manchester, completing the full marathon in just under five hours, despite "phenomenally warm" conditions. "We ran with Jessica and her daughter Darcy," Derek said. "We managed to cross the finish line together, and now they're flying over to stay with us and run Belfast," he started running in 2013, weighing 20 stone at the time, and has since competed in numerous parkruns and marathons. After a few years off due to injury, he knew he "had the bug back" when his son joined him for a run two years ago."Week three of trying to go, Katie-Louise decided 'no, I want to go too', so we joined junior parkrun as a family," he said."It quickly became apparent Katie-Louise loved it as much as anyone else."For Katie-Louise it's the pure sense of inclusion and acceptance for who she is, despite her disability - it's not about disability, it's about her ability." Supported by Mallusk Harriers and Monkstown Spartans run clubs, who started a major fundraising drive, the family soon purchased a specialist running chair for Katie-Louise."The running community is just absolutely amazing, the support, the encouragement," he said."Katie-Louise loves running around the streets of Belfast. We came out of the Waterworks last year and there was a woman struggling at mile 20, Katie-Louise must have sensed it, she held her hand until mile 21 and just looked up and gave her a can get information on the Belfast Marathon here. BBC Northern Ireland will have live coverage of this year's Belfast City Marathon across BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and on the BBC Sport NI website.
BBC News
23-03-2025
- BBC News
Is Dundrum the best place to live in Northern Ireland?
Nestled between the Mourne Mountains and the Dromara Hills, this sleepy village is awakening to the news of being crowned the best place to live in Northern a list in the Sunday Times, Dundrum in County Down has plenty to just for the outstanding scenery and views from every window, but having spent a day here, it's evident how the people and the strong sense of community have won over is the case in many rural towns and villages, the local pub is the focal point, and the manager of the Dundrum Inn, Tom Doak, said the village's success is a reflection of its people. "It's the locals, that make this place so special," he said."It's a very close-knit community, everybody knows everybody and that's sometimes good and sometimes bad."The business was recently taken over, and he said, "everyone has been so supportive and accepting of us. We're blow-ins as they say, and it has been such a success." Amanda Kirkpatrick moved to the village five years ago."I moved here because I wanted to live by the sea, and I didn't know anybody, not having any friends, or family. But, it feels like home, I was just welcomed into the community," she told BBC News natural environment hasn't been lost on Ms said: "It has so much to offer. My pill was the sea, the mountains, the nature reserve, it has that wow-factor that you could quite easily miss if you were just driving through on your way to Newcastle or somewhere else.""But whenever you take the time to actually stop and have a walk around, then it's like a wee hidden treasure." This isn't the first award to be given to Dundrum, the coastal rowing club has a few rosettes to its Coastal Skiffie World Champions, the village pulls well beyond its chairman Andrew Boyd said the club's success is down to local support."When you get a community that comes together and you get a passion to do something, the desire to help all of the people and you get support for that, that's pretty unstoppable," he said. Mr Boyd was born and bred in the village and said it has been a fantastic place to grow up."There is a great sense of community now, especially the past five or six years. That's because people are giving up their own time to help other people to achieve things and be creative."He added: "I wouldn't want to be anywhere else." 'We believe in this area' Michelin stars are hard to come by, but Dundrum has more than Alex Greene has returned to his roots and invested in the village he grew up taking over the restaurant that gave him his first job, The Buck's Head, he has come full circle after travelling the world."Dundrum, and Northern Ireland as a whole, is a special place," he said. "To be crowned the best village, I think it's a great reflection of the people."Mr Greene said the village is on an upward spiral."I go back 20 years to when I was a bit younger, the same buildings that were derelict then are turning around, I see a lot of change."He said the real charm of Dundrum is its location."It will be nice for this coast to be a bit more of a spectacle, it is not just the north coast of Northern Ireland that is beautiful," he partner, Bronagh McCormick said: "It's very, exciting and you can see why as well. It's such a beautiful part of the world and obviously, we've invested here, we believe in this area." The local produce available is important to Mourne Seafood Bar's Chris McCann."We are right on the footstep of the biggest fishing port in Northern Ireland," he said, "It is a big advantage to us."Having grown up in the village, he took over the restaurant 10 years said the people make the village thrive."The people that live here have pride in it. So we do our best to maintain our old building here, it is probably one of the oldest buildings on the street."It's our responsibility to make sure it's in good nick and part of the picture of Dundrum." 'An international flavour' The Dundrum Village Association said it aims to improve the quality of life for everyone living Cooley, the committee treasurer, said that living there all his life may make him underplay how great the village is."It's beautiful scenery, I can't say any more than that, and the people of course," he Cooley added that young and old people benefit from groups across the village."The work of the development association has improved the village so much, for example the cricket club facilities would make anyone envious, there are very few negatives to being here." Lifelong resident Marty Cardwell said he feels proud of his home, with its new recognition."I feel very privileged to live here," he said, "it's great to see the passion within the community again."Mr Cardwell reminisced: "Years ago we used to have a regatta every summer and there was a great sense of community pride and, seeing the summer festival taking place again now, has brought that sense of pride back."Marcus Orsi moved to the village with his wife after spending the past 40 years in Switzerland, now he feels "as local as these guys"."I felt welcome... It's also cosmopolitan, my wife and I are part of a French-speaking group with locals in the area."It just shows you it's not just locals, it's got an international flavour."
BBC News
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Kneecap: Will it be luck of the Irish for local Bafta nominees?
The west Belfast rap group Kneecap will find out on Sunday if it has bagged a British Academy of Film Award (BAFTA).The Irish-language film has been nominated in six film is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the band was other Irish talent nominated is actress Saoirse Ronan, and the Irish-produced Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice. The awards ceremony, which is being hosted by actor David Tennant, is taking place between 19:00 GMT - 22:00 GMT at the Royal Festival Hall in London. 'Quite funny' Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and film was written and directed by Rich Peppiatt and stars bandmates Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh (Mo Chara), Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap), and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí), and also stars Oscar-nominated actor Michael group was formed in 2017 by the three ahead of the awards ceremony, the band described it as "quite funny" to be nominated for six categories for an award that celebrates the best British contributions to film."We were never in any doubt, and we never are when it comes to the art we create," they told BBC News film's been nominated for Outstanding Debut, Original Screenplay, Casting, Film Not in the English Language, Editing, and Outstanding British Film already won seven British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) and other accolades. The rap group won its discrimination case against the UK government over a decision by then minister Kemi Badenoch to withdraw an arts grant in November 2024. 'Immensely proud' Richard Williams, Chief Executive of Northern Ireland Screen, said: "I want to extend our huge congratulations to the entire team behind Kneecap on its incredible achievement. "This well-deserved recognition celebrates the creativity, hard work, and dedication that went into bringing such a unique and powerful story to life," he told BBC News NI. "We are immensely proud of the filmmakers and the spotlight this shines on the remarkable talent and vibrant storytelling emerging from Northern Ireland," he added. 'The green wave' Saoirse Ronan has been nominated for Leading Actress for her role in the drama The film is about a young woman returning to her home in Orkney to deal with her past, and her says she learned lambing for the role. She's up against Wicked's Cynthia Erivo and Demi Moore (The Substance), among Irish-produced Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice is nominated in three categories: Leading Actor, Supporting Actor and Treacy and Julianne Forde, from Tailored Films, said they are "incredibly honoured"."This recognition underpins the huge support that the film received in the UK and Ireland on its release. "We're very proud that Irish film and talent is represented so well with the nominations across the board this weekend. "Let's hope the green wave continues gaining strength in the year ahead!"You can watch this year's BAFTAs on BBC One and iPlayer.
