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NI Christmas Parkrun breaks course participation record

PA Media Stormont Parkrun race director Marianne Hood, Jimmy McNeilly dressed as Santa, event director Alison Canning, Gary Craig and Una McNeill, at the Christmas Day Parkrun on the Stormont Estate in BelfastPA Media
Event director Alison Canning (third from right) says the record demonstrated the enduring popularity of running

A Belfast Parkrun broke its course participation record on Christmas Day.

Almost 800 runners crossed the finish line at the event on the Stormont estate in the east of the city.

The Stormont event was one of a number of Parkruns in Northern Ireland on Christmas Day.

Event director Alison Canning said the record number of participants demonstrated the enduring popularity of running.

The previous course record at Stormont was 776 participants, set on New Year's Day in 2020.

On Wednesday, a total of 790 finished the run.

PA Media Members of Ormeau Runners running club (left to right) Ciaran O'Hare, Paula Kealey, Deirdre Fitzpatrick, Jude Tweedie, Louise Fitzpatrick and Ruth Jack at the Christmas Day Parkrun on the Stormont Estate in Belfast. PA Media
Deirdre Fitzpatrick (third from left) with other members of the Ormeau Runners club

One of those taking part was Deirdre Fitzpatrick, a member of the Ormeau Runners club in south Belfast.

"What better way to start Christmas than to come out for a run with all your friends," she said.

"It's been unbelievable. There are over 750 people running here today, which shows how much running has grown - and that's because it's so important to all of us."

'Christmas spirit'

Ms Canning said it was initially thought that 788 had crossed the finishing line but it was later found that 790 runners had been recorded.

"It's absolutely amazing to see so many people start their Christmas morning with us here," she said.

"We've all abandoned our dinner preparations and the Lego building and I think it's because running and park running in general is so popular."

"The atmosphere here is just amazing with all the costumes and the Santa hats," she added.

"Everybody just likes to get out and spread a bit of Christmas spirit."