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Ulster students complete the first 'Holyland Marathon'

BBC Four young men in running kit standing in front of a row of terraced housing. BBC
Michael Greenan, Cormac Greene, Shane Quinn and Eoin Killen hope the event will become an annual marathon

When four young men went out for a Sunday run, the last thing they expected was to become local celebrities in the Belfast student area of the Holyland.

Weaving their way through the terraced rows off the lower Ormeau Road, the young men were inadvertently carving out the inaugural 'Holyland Marathon', which they now hope will become an annual event.

"It started out as just a bit of craic, and it's got a bit out of hand," said Cormac Greene.

The area gets its name from the streets with names of well known cities in the Middle East like Jerusalem, Palestine and Damascus, and is known for its mainly student population and a reputation for spates of anti-social behaviour.

Strava A map showing the route of a run with orange lines down streets around the Holyland area of Belfast. Strava
The route began on Jerusalem Street, and finished at the Hatfield bar on the Ormeau Road

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'Better rep' for the area

Though they didn't plan to, the four friends believe their marathon effort could transform the area's reputation, showing that positive stories can come out of the Holyland.

Eoin Killen said: "It's a good message to send out. It's just a group of four students running 42km around the Holylands.

"If it puts a wee bit of a better rep, and a better message on the Holylands, then so be it."

Cormac, an experienced runner, has completed multiple ultra-marathons, including the gruelling 106-mile Norn Iron trail run and the 50-mile Wicklow Ecotrail in the Republic of Ireland.

He said: "A few weeks ago, we were just sitting in the living room and decided to do a marathon."

The young men mapped their route, running up and down every street and alley, stopping at home for water and a quick snack.

Cormac led the pace for the other three, who though fit and active, had never taken on a full marathon before.

Eoin said: "I really had to dig deep towards the end. I'd say the last 7k (four miles) I needed a lot of help from the lads to just say, 'Come on, let's get it done'."

Shane Quinn found it even tougher, saying "about half way through my calves just went."

An annual event?

The young men said they chose Sunday 27 October as it was the same day as the Dublin Marathon.

Michael Greenan said: "Someone commented on the Instagram post to make it an annual thing, so we'll save the date for next year."

The route began on Jerusalem Street, and finished at the Hatfield bar on the Ormeau road.