Charles Hurst Pacing Team
Mash Direct Belfast City Half Marathon - Sunday 17th September 2023
Name: Neil Mercer.jpg)
Paces: Full & Half Marathon
Running Club: North Belfast Harriers
Pacing Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marathon PB: 2 hours 58 minutes
How long have you paced for? Paced for Belfast City Marathon since 2017, full and half marathon. Paced Walled City Marathon since 2018.
How did you get into running? Began running in 2014 as a way of keeping fit and then got hooked.
Advice for a new runner: To any new runner I would advise that you take your time and build your weekly mileage up slowly. This will hopefully prevent injury. Also, remember each training run is not a race so run at a pace you feel comfortable with.
On race day, don't get caught up in a race at the start. Start slightly slower and finish strong. It will make running the half marathon more enjoyable. Good luck to everyone taking part.
Name: Patrick McAuley
Paces: Full & Half Marathon
Running Club: North Belfast Harriers
Pacing Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Marathon PB: 2 hours 54 minutes
How long have you paced for? I've paced from 5k to half marathons so looking forward to pacing the Belfast City Marathon and Half Marathon this year.
How did you get into running? Started running.. May 2016 was watching the marathon with my kids and they said why don't you do that, so I did..
Advice for a new runner: (1) Enjoy your training because if you don't, you'll give up before you've realized how good or how far you can run. (2) Run at a pace were you can chat if you have a partner even better that way you'll not burnout and catch up on the gossip at the same time. (3) Always try gels, pace, electrolytes, in training as these could undo all your hard work trying new on race day. (4) If getting paced to a certain time trust the pacers, they know the course and will advise you best, talking you through the miles ahead...
Name: John McNally
Paces: Half Marathon
Running Club: Roadrunners AC
Pacing Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Marathon PB: 2 hours 58 minutes
How long have you paced for? Our club (Roadrunners AC) pace for several big races across NI including the 3-hour pacer group at Belfast City Marathon and pace at Lisburn Half Marathon, Newtownards Half Marathon etc.
How did you get into running? My dad took me out running when I was in primary school- I’ve been a runner ever since!
Advice for a new runner: Consistency is key! Set yourself a mileage target that is realistic and achievable and build it up slowly from there. Sometimes new runners will catch the running bug but then they inevitably struggle to sustain the mileage or keep up their own motivation levels. Just be consistent and the rest will follow.
Name: Jane Leathem
Paces: Half Marathon
Running Club: Jog Moira
Pacing Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Marathon PB: 3 hours 14 minutes
How long have you paced for? I have paced at parkrun and ‘unofficially’ paced friends over distances from 5k-marathon.
How did you get into running? During lockdown I really struggled being stuck inside and was quite overweight. Decided one night to get on a treadmill and managed 20 seconds but I kept trying, built it up slowly and fell in love with running. I done my first marathon in Belfast in Oct 2021 and have done a few since.
Advice for a new runner: Build up your distance slowly. If you can run with a friend or join a running club. Remember why you started to run in the first place and enjoy it! 😊
Name: Eimear McCracken
Paces: Half Marathon
Running Club: Annadale Striders
Pacing Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Marathon PB: 3 hours 9 minutes
How long have you paced for? I have previous paced Newry Half Marathon (2.05) and the Belfast City Marathon in 2022 (3 hours 45 minutes)
How did you get into running? I was just bored with the gym and signed up for a leg of the Belfast marathon with work colleagues. I soon fell in love with what running gives back to you. I enjoy the discipline of group training and really enjoy my long runs whether with a group or on my own. In Northern Ireland we have so many different terrains at hand and some breathtaking locations for running. We are very lucky.
Advice for a new runner: Make sure you are wearing the correct trainers. Call into your local running shop and chat to the staff - they will keep you right. Just keep at it. Some days will be hard and others easier but nothing will ever be better than the gift running can bring you and the various friends and characters you will meet along the way. One of the best pieces of advice I would give is to join a running club. Running is better with company and it's great to spend time with like minded people. All runners are friendly folk!
Name: Paul Bracken
Paces: Full & Half Marathon
Running Club: Jog Moira
Pacing Time: 2 hours
Marathon PB: 3 hours 33 minutes
How long have you paced for? 2022 Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon was my first official pacing role & really enjoyed it. I had previously paced for my running club ‘unofficially’ for a few years.
How did you get into running? I got into running in 2014 as I was very overweight & seen a sign for Wallace parkrun. My goal was to finish it without walking, the rest is history. I've ran 260 parkruns, 102 marathons, various ultra-marathons & I am a member of the 100-mile club. Running is my go-to place & am lucky to have met so many wonderful people on the journey.
Advice for a new runner: I'd recommend running to absolutely anyone regardless of age or current fitness level. It has transformed my life from quite literally not being able to run a mile to running 5 days a week & being part of a great club. Running is great for my physical health but also key to my mental health. I can run in groups, solo or with my dog. I can run roads, trails, mountains, anywhere really. As said before the people I've met on my journey are amazing. If I didn't lace up for that parkrun in 2014, I honestly don't know where I'd be today...
Name: Victoria Atkinson
Paces: Half Marathon
Running Club: Victoria Park & Connswater AC
Pacing Time: 2 hours
Marathon PB: 3 hours 27 minutes
How long have you paced for? Paced 2 hours at the 2022 Mash Direct Belfast City Half Marathon, Ards Half Marathon and really enjoyed it.
How did you get into running? Started running when I entered the race for life, since then I joined Scrabo Striders straight away and haven't looked back. I started running longer during lockdown, and since then ran several ultra-marathons, halves and a few marathons.
Advice for a new runner: Don’t worry about pace, run on feel and have fun. It changed my life, I have made friends for life and each event creates a memory. Don't compare yourself either, everyone's journey is different.
Name: Natalie Bowbanks
Paces: Full & Half Marathon
Running Club: Portadown Running Club
Pacing Time: 2 hours
Marathon PB: 3 hours 18 minutes
How long have you paced for? My first official pacing was for Newry City Marathon in 2017, bringing in the 4-hour group. I would regularly pace friends in races but my next opportunity to pace at an official event was at the Belfast City Marathon in 2018. It was an exciting opportunity to pace with a much bigger crowd and I am still proud as punch to say I was the first female pacer in Belfast City Marathon’s history.
How did you get into running? My dad was a keen runner in his day, so I guess the initial interest came from his experiences. I started off on a treadmill, but soon found the roads and great outdoors were much more enjoyable. I completed my first marathon in 2010 and have since been fortunate to run marathons and ultra-marathons across Europe and America. I like to set myself a new challenge each year and enjoy incorporating running and travel wherever I can.
Advice for a new runner: Be consistent and plan your training week ahead realistically, so that it is achievable around work and family life. Don’t get fixated on pace at the start and listen to your body when it is tired and needs a break. As for race day, I still apply the gold, silver, and bronze mindset. Go for gold, but if for some reason today is not the day, go for your silver finish time. The same applies for bronze. This helps keep your mind focused and you are less likely to mentally give up if you have a target and focus.
Name: Steven Kelly
Paces: Half Marathon
Running Club: Eglinton Road Runners
Pacing Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Marathon PB: 3 hours 39 minutes
How long have you paced for? Been a pacer for 4 years, last 3 years with Belfast City Marathon. I have paced several events notably Belfast City Marathon and the Walled City Marathon.
How did you get into running? Following a motorcycle accident, I took up running to help my rehab.
Advice for a new runner: No big mileage increases in training - build up the long run gradually.
Name: Donald Smith 
Paces: Full & Half Marathon
Running Club: North Down AC
Pacing Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Marathon PB: 3 hours 43 minutes
How long have you paced for? My first official pacer outing was in the 2022 Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon with the 4 hour 30 group and I'm excited to be pacing runners aiming for 4 hours 15 minutes at 2023's Marathon, and 2 hours 15 at the Half Marathon. It's always amazing to reach a finish line with runners who have achieved their target time or smashed their PB.
How did you get into running? I ran cross-country competitively at school before football became my main sport. My first race was as part of a relay team at the 2006 Belfast City Marathon. I enjoyed being part of the event so much that I built up my mileage to run the Lisburn Half Marathon and the Dublin Marathon later that year.
Advice for a new runner: Nothing new on race day - that includes your pace, kit and fuel! Build up slowly and use a training plan.
Name: Elizabeth Watt
Paces: Half Marathon
Running Club: Victoria Park & Connswater AC
Pacing Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Marathon PB: 3 hours 46 minutes
How long have you paced for? Have paced at 5k and 10k officially, and at distances up to Marathon unofficially for friends. Paced the 2023 Almac Belfast City Women's 10k.
How did you get into running? I started running regularly in my 30s, I wanted a flexible sport to fit around work shifts. I quickly got hooked!
Advice for a new runner: Don't start out too fast. Learn what works for you e.g., fuelling during a race, practice this on your training runs... And most important - enjoy your running!
Name: Martin Caldwell
Paces: Full & Half Marathon
Running Club: Crossgar Harriers
Pacing Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Marathon PB: 3 hours 15 minutes at Belfast City Marathon
How long have you paced for? 2 years with Belfast City Marathon, previously paced at Derry & Ards.
Advice for a new runner: For new runners try to join a club, as they will accommodate to you in their training runs. Be honest with yourself about Marathon times. Try to follow a training plan and stick to it. Enjoy your running. It is better to run with a group of people as it makes the miles go by easier.
Name: Andrew McDermott
Running Club: Dub Runners, Belfast
Pacing Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Marathon PB: 3 hours 17 minutes
How long have you paced for? 3 years
How did you get into running? I’ve been running since signing up for the 2012 Belfast Marathon having previously participated in team sports mostly.
Advice for a new runner: Give it a go, you’ll be surprised how quickly you improve, what you can achieve and how much it will benefit all areas of your life in general.
If you have any queries for your Charles Hurst Pacing Team please contact info@belfastcitymarathon.org
