Around 2,000 athletes will take to the starting line of the Walled City Marathon to be run in Derry tomorrow morning.
Thousands of spectators are expected to line the 26.2 mile route to cheer on runners from across the globe through buzzing neighbourhoods and rural villages, along the banks of the River Foyle and over the city’s famous bridges, before finishing in the historic Guildhall Square.
Favourite to win is Kenyan Freddy Sittuk (pictured) who had a 16 minutes margin over his nearest rivals in winning last year’s event in 2 hours 25 minutes 44 seconds.
However, he is unlikely to beat his personal best time of under 2 hours 15 minutes set in 2011.
The race will begin at 8.30am at the Everglades Hotel on Victoria Road.
After going as far as Newbuildings, the runners will swing back and head over the lower deck of Craigavon Bridge before going along Foyle Road and out the Letterkenny Road as far as Ballougry Road.
They will then turn back via “The Line” and Foyle Road and turn up on to John Street and pass over the upper deck of Craigavon Bridge.
On reaching the Waterside, they will go out as far as Caw roundabout before returning along the Waterside Greenway to cross the Peace Bridge.
Once back on the city side, they will head out towards the Foyle Bridge via Bay Road from where they will return to the city centre along Culmore Road and Strand Road.
Back in the city centre, they will turn on Lower Clarendon Street and race up Clarendon Street turning on to Queen Street, Great James Street, Little James Street and Rossville Street.
On reaching Free Derry Corner, they will tackle the most difficult part of the course – the steep hill on Fahan Street.
On reaching the top they will go along Butcher Street, Ferryquay Street, Carlisle Road, John Street and Foyle Expressway ahead of going along Strand Road and Waterloo Place to the finish line in Guildhall Square.
For a detailed map of the route visit:
http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=8792F691-CE78-48CF-A7D8C0DCFC952233
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