Celebrating its landmark 40^th anniversary this year, the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon has grown exponentially, from just over 3,000 runners competing in its inaugural year to now welcoming more than 16,000 participants, including international competitors and spectators alike.

With a full line up of events to suit all levels of fitness including the Marathon and Wheelchair Race, Team Relay and 8 Mile Walk, the route has been revamped in recent years to take in all four corners of the city, including historical milestones, celebrating the best of Belfast. Beginning at Stormont Estate, runners will take in trails across North, South, East and West Belfast before crossing the finish line at Ormeau Park.

Lidl Northern Ireland today confirmed the fresh new partnership with Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon, delivering more than 2 tonnes of quality fruit to power runners to the finish line on race day. As ‘Official ‘Fresh Fruit Supplier’ to the event, Lidl Northern Ireland will be stationed at the start and finish line and relay changeover points throughout the course offering fresh bananas for a much-needed energy boost.

John Allen, Chairman of Belfast City Marathon, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Lidl Northern Ireland as our fresh fruit supplier. Nutrition is hugely important for all of our competitors and there is always a big demand each year for fresh bananas to help fuel runners to the finish. Not only that, but we have a large team of staff and volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure a fantastic race and day out, so it’s important to keep the whole team energised.

“As the region’s fastest-growing supermarket, the partnership with Lidl Northern Ireland was a very natural fit for us. It’s great to see this ‘up and running’ and to work with a partner so engaged in supporting the local community.”

The partnership is the latest move by the retailer in support of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy, ‘A Better Tomorrow’, which aims to create a better, more sustainable future for customers, communities and the world.

Phil Campbell, Supply Chain Director at Lidl Northern Ireland said: “The Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon is the premier race in the running calendar and an iconic city event. I’m delighted to confirm that Lidl Northern Ireland is the Official Fresh Fruit Supplier for this flagship event and I look forward to supporting tens of thousands of competitors on race day with a nutritional boost throughout the 26.2-mile course.

With 41 stores across Northern Ireland and more than 300,000 weekly shoppers, we pride ourselves on offering the freshest and most affordable produce on the market. We’re also heavily invested in supporting our local communities and this new partnership is just one of the many ways in which we aim to help the wider public maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle.”

Olympic runner and Lidl Northern Ireland Sport for Good Ambassador Ciara Mageean said: “As a middle distance runner myself I know only too well how important it is to have adequate fuel in your body for an endurance race like Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon. It’s also really important to pay attention to your body and recognise when you need to top up your energy levels.

“I’ve seen a lot of athletes opt for quick energy drinks and gels, but sometimes these can be high in sugar or artificial ingredients, and not always the best choice. For me, you can’t beat the natural nutrition found in fresh fruit to give you the energy you need. I wish every participant the best of luck and hope they enjoy a ‘Lidl boost’ as they make their way around the course.”

Caption:  Robbie Geary, Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon Manager, Sport for Good ambassador and Olympic runner Ciara Mageean and Phil Campbell, Supply Chain Director Lidl Northern Ireland.

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Established in 2019, the Sport for Good scheme, in partnership with children’s charity the Youth Sport Trust, aims to encourage and support young people to make the most of the physical and mental benefits of sport participation.

Over the last two years, Sport for Good has supported more than 80 sports clubs and schools across Northern Ireland and provided more than £220,000 in funding to encourage more young people into sport.

With 45 per cent of young people in Northern Ireland saying their mental health has worsened since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic*, this year’s Sport for Good campaign is focused on boosting young people’s social skills, self-esteem and body confidence through sports participation and supporting young people across the region with the roll out of a dedicated Mental Health Athlete Mentorship Programme.

Lidl Northern Ireland shoppers can nominate their local secondary school to win a place on the Mental Health Athlete Mentorship Programme by visiting their local Lidl store and making a purchase to receive a qualifying Lidl receipt containing a 10-digit code. Receipt codes must be submitted online along with the secondary school nomination for a chance to be in with winning. Entries can be made via the dedicated Sport for Good online entry form at lidl-ni.co.uk/lidl-community-works. The competition is open now until Sunday 28^th November.

Ambassador

Speaking at the launch of the 2021 Sport for Good campaign, programme ambassador Bethany Firth MBE said: “Sports participation is one of the best ways to improve physical and mental health and I’m honoured to be a Lidl Northern Ireland Sport for Good Ambassador for a third year running. Since the launch of this initiative I’ve seen how the programme has transformed the lives of many young people and the positive feedback received has been phenomenal.

“Having just competed at the Tokyo Olympics, and as a Paralympian, I know only too well how important it is to have a strong, healthy mindset which really helped drive me to winning two gold and two silver medals this year.

“I also realise how lucky I am to be surrounded by an excellent support system of teachers, coaches, family and friends who spur me on to reach my sporting goals. Not all young people have that same access or have the skills to be able to manage their mental health and that’s why this year’s Sport for Good campaign is more important than ever.

“I’m really proud to launch this initiative and partner with Lidl Northern Ireland who are actively reaching into the heart of communities, investing in young people and helping improve their health and wellbeing through sport.”

Mentorship

Representing an investment of over £100,000 this year’s programme gives 25 secondary schools across the region the opportunity to win a spot on Lidl Northern Ireland’s dedicated Mental Health Athlete Mentorship Programme plus £1,000 worth of sports equipment for their school.

Facilitated by a trained and qualified Mental Health Ambassador appointed by Youth Sport Trust, the UK’s leading sports charity supporting young people’s education and development through sport, the programme will take place over two sessions designed to help young people explore the positive effect of sports participation on their mental health, helping to drive the next generation of sporting legends and encourage more young people to reap the benefits of participating in sports.

Gordon Cruickshanks, Head of Sales Operations, for Lidl Northern Ireland said: “At Lidl Northern Ireland, we’re committed to supporting our local communities through our established Community Works initiative and Sport for Good is our flagship programme to reach and support young people across the region.

“The pandemic has undoubtedly had a significant impact on the mental health of our young people and this year we aim to tackle mental health head on. We’re delighted to partner with Youth Sport Trust for the first time to deliver a bespoke Mental Health Athlete Programme, designed specifically for secondary school pupils to provide practical advice and techniques to improve mental health through sport.

“We’re thrilled to welcome back three of our sporting heroes, Bethany, Rhys and Ciara, who have all had great success over the past year. They are an inspiration, and we have no doubt that they will motivate more young people into sport and encourage those already engaged in sport to achieve their sporting goals.”

Jenny Rouse, Head of Business Development & Fundraising, Youth Sport Trust said: “Empowering young people through sport is the lifeblood of our charity and we are delighted to partner with Lidl Northern Ireland on the Sport for Good 2021 programme. Sport gives young people a platform to have their voices heard and a sense of belonging, and it is our mission to harness this power to help them build a brighter future.”

Caption: Head of Sales Operations at Lidl Northern Ireland, Gordon Cruikshanks with Sport for Good Ambassadors, Olympic gymnast, Rhys McClenaghan and Paralympic swimmer, Bethany Firth.

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