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Video: Everyone’s a winner as Runher rules Stormont

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Belfast Telegraph Runher competitors October 9 2011

By Kerry McKittrick
Tuesday Oct 11 2011

The heavens opened just in time for the start of the Belfast Telegraph Runher event in the grounds of the Stormont Estate, although thankfully not for very long.

Well over 1,000 women took part in the event, with at least 600 completing a flawless 5K run.

Unfortunately, due to human error, most of the 10K runners discovered their run was actually a kilometre short.

A breakdown in communications saw marshals directing the runners on a slightly different route from the one originally planned, meaning many missed out on the full 10K by running just nine instead.

There were only a few front runners who had taken part in the race on previous occasions who completed the full route.

>>All the images, and many more, from Runher will be available soon to purchase from our Photosales site<<

Runher organiser Michael Jenkins made a full apology for the mistake and stressed that measures will be taken in the next event to prevent it happening again.

“It was just human error that the runners were misdirected along the route and therefore missed out on a loop of the course,” he explained.

“Cathy McCourt was this year’s front runner — and she ran the full course simply because she knew the route as she has taken part many times before,” said Michael.

Organisers have made sure that an apology will be posted on the Runher website and Facebook page as soon as possible.

Cathy McCourt was declared the winner of the 10K run with no objections from second and third placed runners Julie Balmer and Ali Robinson, who both ran the shorter route.

Aside from the mishap, runners were in generally high spirits at yesterday’s event.

The 5K race was won by solicitor Judith Lowry from Lisburn, a member of the Invictus Tri Athletics club.

It was Judith’s first Runher since taking part in the very first event five years ago.

Said Judith: “I didn’t think I would win today at all as I was running yesterday.

“It’s a lovely atmosphere and much more relaxed because you’re not competing against guys.

“I’ve really enjoyed myself and I’m very pleased to have won,” she said.

As per usual the event saw all members of the family enjoying the day out with dads taking over the pushchairs while mums took to the race.

There was fun for all ages as those little ones who took part in the Cash For Kids Dash For Kids fun run were rewarded with a certificate and packet of crisps.

Every level of fitness was catered for as those who didn’t fancy a run could walk at a more leisurely pace while admiring the scenery of the Stormont Estate.

Walkers were also given the choice between 5K and 10K routes.

This time saw a host of famous faces taking part too.

Paula Lane, better known as Coronation Street’s Kylie Platt, started the 10K race, while Northern Ireland’s own Olympian Dame Mary Peters blew the whistle to begin the 5K.

Taking part were Alliance MLA Anna Lo, the BBC’s Marie Louise Kerr and Cecilia Daly, TV’s Lynda Bryans, former Progressive Unionist MLA Dawn Purvis and model Katie Larmour.

As usual the event was as much about raising money for a good cause as it was about personal challenge as the fundraisers from charity Cash For Kids were out in full force.

It’s hoped that the funds raised from this event will be the most to date.

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