26.2 Crew
11 ambassadors have joined the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon '26.2 Crew', embarking on an exclusive journey to complete their very first ever marathon. The ambassador group are provided with a comprehensive package as helping hand to get them to the finish line on Sunday 5th May.
So, who are the 11 ambassadors taking on one of the toughest challenges sport has to offer?
Name: Anna McLaughlin (Deep RiverRock ambassador) 
Age: 32
From: Ballymena
Occupation: Customer Marketing Manager at Coca Cola HBC
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? I ran the Belfast City Half Marathon in 2023 for charity and so set myself a new challenge to run the FULL marathon. The 26.2 Crew seemed like a fab way to do so with guidance, support and a jam-packed itinerary!
What is your prior running experience? Belfast City Half Marathon 2023 and a few 10Ks here and there.
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? To push myself out of my comfort zone, while enjoying the atmosphere on the day!
Name: Anthony Kavanagh (Better ambassador)
Age: 40
From: Belfast
Occupation: Duty Manager Andersonstown Leisure Centre
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? I stopped playing sport 2 years ago and needed a new challenge! I began running two years and fell in love with it
What is your prior running experience? Half marathons, 10ks and 5ks. I run 4 – 5 times per week, tallying up 40 – 70K.
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? The atmosphere and the challenge of completing my first full Moy Park Belfast City Marathon in my hometown as well as exploring the miles of my hometown of Belfast.
Name: Curtis McCosh (Cool FM ambassador)
Age: 32
From: Newtownards
Occupation: Radio Presenter
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? With Cool FM being the media partner, I have hosted events in recent years and the buzz of the race weekend has always made me wonder “could I do that?”
What is your prior running experience? A few legs in the team relay and recently joined CrossFit!
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? Building some healthy habits and learning more about nutrition. Without sounding like I’m wishing the experience away, the thing I’m most looking forward to is crossing the finish line. I have been told me that its hard to match that feeling!
Name: Jess Hanna (Better ambassador)
Age: 23
From: Kikeel
Occupation: Trainee Manager GLL
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? The opportunity presented itself through work.
What is your prior running experience? Two half marathons, a few 10Ks and mainly running for fitness and enjoyment!
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? The atmosphere of Belfast on the day and hopefully the challenge of completing my first full Moy Park Belfast City Marathon.
Name: Jordan Jamison 
Age: 25
From: Donaghadee
Occupation: Consumer Relations
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? previously ran Belfast City Half in 2023 and felt the next step I wanted to take was to run the full marathon. I felt being part of a team would provide me with great accountability!
What is your prior running experience? don’t have a lot of experience to be honest. I began running in July 2023 and decided to run the Belfast Half, this was my first real event, and I loved it!
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? Mostly I am looking forward to the incredible support that will be around Belfast on the day. The feeling of having family and people you don’t even know cheer you on is just amazing.
Name: Karen Warnock 
Age: 40
From: North Down
Occupation: Primary School Teacher
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? My friend tagged me in the post on Facebook and I was intrigued. As this is my first marathon I thought it would be amazing to be get some extra support and advice along the way.
What is your prior running experience? I joined Scrabo Striders last year and ran the Belfast Half alongside a few 10Ks, Cross Country and Parkruns.
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? he support along the way, the crowds and crossing the finish line will feel amazing.
Name: Matt Garret
Age: 51
From: Belfast
Occupation: Elected Councillor Belfast City Council
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? want to take my running journey beyond the 5K and 10K distances I have started feeling comfortable with. Running has allowed me to be me, in my own headspace and in my own zone.
What is your prior running experience? None before this year. This year, I have completed the Colin Glen Parkrun 21 times, and finished the Féile 10k and my longest distance of 19km.
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? Being part of it!! I want this to be the catalyst that allows me to make my family smile!
Name: Monica Kelly (Air Ambulance NI ambassador)
Age: 44
From: Tullysaran
Occupation: Chartered Accountant and a University Lecturer
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? y husband has done 5 marathons and I always wondered if I could do it, so decided there is only one way to find out. I did the Belfast City Half in 2023 for Air Ambulance and wanted to show support again this year.
What is your prior running experience? In 2023, I signed up to 5 half marathons and challenged myself to an 18-mile run at the end of September 2023. I am also part of a running club in Moy.
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? The good support from crowds to keep us going! The Air Ambulance cheer zones and live music always give me a boost.
Name: Orlaith Clinton (Belfast Live ambassador)
Age: 25
From: Downpatrick
Occupation: Belfast Live & Daily Mirror NI Journalist
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? After my first Half Marathon, I said I would never do something as long again - but looking back to when I first started my couch to 5K, to now, I thought I’d give myself another personal challenge and see if I can make it into the 1%
What is your prior running experience? I had zero running experience prior to my first 5K in lockdown, and continued on with 5Ks, moving up to 10Ks and completing my first Half Marathon in Belfast in September 2023.
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? Challenging myself, physically and mentally. I’m also looking forward to meeting new people and helping one another progress over the 16 weeks of training. And the glass of prosecco on May 5 when I can say ‘I did it’!
Name: Sam McDowell (NIE Networks ambassador)
Age: 29
From: Ballymena, now lives in Antrim
Occupation: CAD Technician
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? The idea of doing the marathon is something I’ve thought about in the last few months, and this opportunity came about – there’s no backing out now!
What is your prior running experience? spend most Saturday mornings at different park runs across NI. In 2022 & 2023, I completed 50 park runs! I have also completed a 12K mud run and a few 10Ks.
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? Definitely the sense of achievement after completing it! But also, just experiencing the whole atmosphere on the day while running through different parts of the city.
Name: Sam McGrath (Moy Park ambassador)
Age: 23
From: Mallusk
Occupation: Commercial Graduate at Moy Park
What made you apply for the 26.2 Crew? liked the idea of a challenge, and I needed some motivation to get back into my running!
What is your prior running experience? started running in lockdown and did longer distances to push myself. Once lockdown ended I have ran less and less and now struggle to get a few runs a week in- hoping this gets me back into a routine!
What are you most looking forward to when running the 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon? Seeing what I can be capable of when i put my mind to it and having an outlet for stress again! I’m really excited to experience the atmosphere from a runner’s perspective.
