Donegal runner Ed McGroarty
Donegal ultra-runner Ed McGroarty ran 213kms in the Energia 24hr Race, finishing 6th in this year’s event.
The event took place in the Victoria Park Track in East Belfast on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th June.
The Energia 24-hour race is the endurance race where competitors run as many laps of the 400m race track as they can in 24 hours. Ed, from the Lifford/Strabane Athletics Club, completed 129 laps of the track over the 24 hour period.
Race Director Ed Smith says “this year’s Energia 24hr Race was sensational. After 6 years at the Mary Peters’ track we moved to a 1.7km circuit in Victoria Park in east Belfast. This will be the location for the 24-Hr World Championships that will take place here next summer. Entry levels doubled and some fantastic races were run.”
“Runners from all over Ireland – 25 counties to be exact – competed alongside runners from 12 other countries in a truly international field.”
“Eoin Keith from Cork retained his title, running 242 kms in 24 hours. Another Corkman, Alex O’Shea, finished 100 miles first but then fell back through the field. Aidan Hogan, also from Cork, took second place with 238 kms.”
Smith says: “It was great to have the use of the upgraded Victoria Park facility and with it the support of Belfast City Council alongside our title sponsor Energia, who have been with us from the start when we had 18 entries, Pure Running, Water Within, the international Association of Ultra Runners and the athletics federations north and south.”
Title sponsors Energia, the leading gas and electricity suppliers, have backed the 24-hour event from day one.
Energia Marketing Manager, Michael Ringland said: “This year’s race has been another fantastic event and everyone in Energia wants to congratulate all of the competitors. We’re looking forward to 2017 already.”
The event carries a Silver Label from the World Governing Body and is grant-aided by Belfast City Council and supported by Pure Running.
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