Local stars aim to shine in Tesco Waterside Half-Marathon

LONDONDERRY athletes are gearing up for the 2010 Tesco Waterside Half Marathon with outstanding home grown talents such as Marina Campbell and Greg Roberts having high praise for the event which takes place in September.

Last year saw Greg, from Collon Lane, finish second overall and in the process winning the battle to become the first local finisher. The 27-year-old completed the 13 mile course in an amazing 67 minutes and 53 seconds.

Greg, who is a member of City of Derry Spartans, said: "I have been running since I was about 17-years-old, I started at school and I've loved it ever since. My brother, who coaches me, was a runner and I have another brother who is a triathlete, we've always been an active family and I think I got the bug from them.

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"I really enjoyed last year's Waterside Half Marathon, I was hoping to run it this year again, but I don't know if I'll be able to as I'm doing a ten mile race in Holland on September 5th and the Great North Run on September 19th, with an eye to doing this year's Dublin Marathon in October. So at the minute the focus is really on the Dublin Marathon. As part of the National Endurance Squad we are trying to put together a team for the Olympics, so the Dublin Marathon will be a great test for me."

Last year, Marina was the fourth woman overall and the first local woman across the line, running the race in an impressive one hour 31 minutes.

The 31-year-old started long distance running in 2009, when she took part in the London marathon and she said: "I really enjoy running and I'm now in Sparta running club here in the city.

"I was really delighted with my time at the Waterside Half Marathon last year, and I was surprised to come in fourth in the ladies and to be the first local woman. I will definitely be taking part this year, and after doing well last year, I'll be pushing even harder to improve this year and achieve a new personal best."

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She continued: "With Sparta I tend to do more speed training, and then when I train by myself I tend to go for longer runs. I just really enjoy running and keeping fit.

"There are lots of woman in Sparta now, and there are more and more people joining all the time, running seems to be becoming more popular than ever. The great thing about the running club is that there is a really good social aspect to it as well."

To apply on line for this year's Tesco Waterside Half marathon or to download a training schedule, log on to www.derrycity.gov.uk/halfmarathon.

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