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Tell Us Your Story
Catherine O’Connor, 42 Downpatrick, WalkerI am 42 year old mother of 3 from co. Down. I am originally from Derry. This is my first marathon. I am doing the walk this year, however my husband & brother (who is flying over from Manchester are both running). We are hoping to raise awareness of Parkinsons disease, as our father suffered from this devastating illness for a long number of years before his death in '08. We are hoping to raise the profile of this illness & raise considerable funds in the process. I work for Bank of Ireland in Belfast & they have very kindly agreed to 'match' our fund raising.
Running Half Marathon will be ‘like winning Gold’
John* (32) said that he never thought that he would see the day that he would be participating in the Waterside Half Marathon and acknowledges HURT in helping him realize this milestone.
“I was a very heavy drinker for all of my adult life and often tried to stop or cut down. Eventually, my body had had enough and I developed a life-threatening illness, Chronic Pancreatitis. Despite this my addiction made it impossible to stop drinking, effectively resigning myself to the fact that I was going to die.”
“A counselor recommended that I visit HURT and investigate the range of holistic treatment opportunities that they could provide. I made an appointment and went to see Sadie, and although I was very skeptical I decided to give it a go.
“What struck me about HURT was how friendly and helpful the staff were, quite unlike any experience I had elsewhere. Here you were treated like a person, made feel welcome and not judged.
“After availing of a number of their therapies slowly my whole outlook to life changed. HURT also encouraged me to undertake a course on personal development, which I found hugely beneficial as it helped me to learn about myself and gain more self confidence in my own abilities.
“I am now two and a half years sober and doing well, and this is all thanks to the support of HURT. It helped me reignite my love for sport and running in particular, and it is completely down to them that I am running the Waterside Half Marathon this year – something, which was completely unthinkable less than three years ago.
“I am using the race to do my bit for HURT and have encouraged some of my mates to join me in the run or provide some sponsorship. I’m really looking forward to the day and whilst I don’t expect to break any records completing the run will be like winning Gold.”
(*) Name has been changed.
Nina Rowe, Derry, Runner
My name is Nina Rowe and this is my story on how I started running. 20 months ago my world fell apart at the death of my husband Sean. We have a wee boy who was then five and I gave birth to our baby girl just 10 days after Sean’s death. Worried about getting Post-Natal-Depression I started running, my babies had lost too much already and they couldn’t lose me to depression. My family and friends said I should run the half marathon last year and I did. I felt great after doing it, it was more for my head than anything.
This year I am running for Cruz bereavement care who helped my son and I through a very tough year and of course in memory of my everything, Sean Rowe.
Danny Sheerin, age 64, Derry, Runner
This will be my 29th Waterside Half Marathon and I have a 100% record in this marvelous event. I actually ran the race one year that it was cancelled about four years ago as I had trained so hard for it. I informed the organising committee that I was going to do the run and they were good enough to meet me at the finish line with a medal – what a lovely touch I thought. I have completed many events over the years, including 25 Liam Ball Triathlons, and I must admit that the Waterside Half Marathon is one of my favourites!
Stacy McEleney, 35, Eglinton, Runner
I am a thirty five year old woman, wife, and mother of three among many other things. My journey began on the 25th of April when I decided to give up a habit that should of been squashed a long time ago, smoking. I then decided to give myself a goal and thought long and hard about what I wanted to do and running was it! This is my first time tackling the world of running and I'm having a ball. Running has been an amazing form of relaxation for me and I guess that's just it because when I run I have my own me time, it's great! Not only am I more in tune with myself mentally but physically as well. It's a win win. Running the Derry City half marathon will be a major turning point in my life and I'm looking forward to it!
Karen McCormack, 34, Belfast - Walker
I work fortheBritish Councilin Northern Irelandand I’m walking the Derry Half Marathon to raise money for Stroke Awareness. Local Derrystudent, Jason Roddy, was a participant on the British Council’s Business Education Initiative(BEI), studying in the US, when he suffered a stroke 3 days after his arrival in the US. Ten months on, Jason is now on the road to recovery with a lot of help from various sources. To show our support to Jason and his family, British Council staff and BEI students are participating to raise funds for Stroke Awareness.
Barbara McKeever 46, Belfast Runner
I am running the waterside marathon this year in the half marathon series....this is the 7th and last. i am really looking forward to this half and its reported to be the flatest and i may get a PB to end on a high. there are only 7 people who have entered to run all seven in the series...5 men and 2 women...
Liam McHugh, Castlederg, Runner
This will be my 3rd Waterside half marathon in a row and I use it as vital training for my
preparation for Marathon running. I run to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis which my daughter suffers from and I desperately want to help find a cure for this disease.
Tell us your story
The Half Marathon Organising Team is keen to find out more about its runners, walkers and relay teams - Why you may choose to take part in this year’s event? Is it for a personal goal or perhaps you are fundraising for a charity close to your heart.
If you could describe in 50 words your story and send us a profile picture or fundraising picture that we could use. Please send all stories to halfmarathon@derrycity.gov.uk
