Sponsored by Titanic Quarter and Port of Belfast, and organised by Athletics Northern Ireland, the race is the ideal opportunity to prepare for the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon while enjoying a close-up look at the ever-expanding Titanic Quarter development on Belfast’s historic Queen’s Island.
The Titanic Quarter 10K, set for April 5th this year, is one of the most popular dates in the Northern Ireland athletics calendar. It regularly attracts over 600 runners including elite international competitors as well as a range of local fun runners, joggers and experienced club athletes.
In a first for a Northern Ireland road race, a unique text messaging service has been introduced that will send a text direct to competitors’ mobile phones with details of their individual race position, official time and category position once the race is over. Chipped timing will also be in operation, guaranteeing 100% accuracy for all the participants.
Titanic Quarter’s Denise Shields said, “We are delighted to once again be sponsoring the Titanic Quarter 10K. Last year’s event was a huge success and this year’s race is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever with over 800 runners expected.
“The race is a great opportunity to see the dramatically changing skyline at Titanic Quarter as the Phase 1 developments are nearing completion with construction of several new schemes getting under way.”
The 2009 event will also feature the popular one-mile junior race for Under 15s, which will take place before the main event, and a series of family activities throughout the day. There is a total prize fund of £2,000 with each entrant receiving a special commemorative T-shirt.
David Seaton, MBE, Chairman of Athletics Northern Ireland, added, “We always look forward to organising the TQ 10K which allows fun runners, joggers and club athletes to compete alongside international athletes in one of Belfast’s most interesting and historic areas.
“Contested over a flat course, the race also provides many competitors with the ideal preparation run for the Belfast City Marathon and relay events which take place the following month in early May.”
Starting from Queen’s Road at 2pm on Sunday, April 5th, the TQ 10K course follows a waterfront route which includes Airport Road and Sydenham Road.
Entry fees are £8 for athletic club members and £9 to unattached individual runners. Entry forms are available from Athletics NI, other athletic clubs and leisure centres. The closing date for entries is Friday, March 27th.
There will be a pre-race pack collection this year at the Mary Peters Track, where the first 500 who have registered before the closing date will receive a TQ environmentally-friendly reusable enviro bag.
Late registration and collection of race numbers will take place at Queen’s Road, adjacent to the start and finish area from 12 noon on the day of the race.
Full details and online entry is available at: www.niathletics.org
Last year’s men’s race was won by Ethiopia’s Ayele Mergessa in a time of 31 minutes seven seconds. Local runner Kerry Harty took the women’s title with a time of 36 minutes and six seconds.