Nearly 5,000 runners took part in the annual 'SPAR Craic 10k' road race which was held in Belfast on St Patrick's Day, March 17th.

Growing participation

The annual event attracts runners from across the island of Ireland and beyond. First organised in 2015, the race continues to grow, with nearly 5,000 runners of all levels taking part this year.

The race began at Belfast City Hall and ended at Ormeau Park, creating an all-inclusive celebration. This year’s event aimed to be greener when compared to the previous editions. Participants in the race wore all types of green, ranging from t-shirts and headbands to full outfits. Spectators were also decked out in green to cheer on the participants and take part in the festive atmosphere.

Medals handed out to runners were made of wood, one of the measures aimed at making the occasion more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Participants in the race were also encouraged to raise funds for Marie Curie, the charity partner of the race, SPAR Northern Ireland, and SPAR UK.

SPAR Northern Ireland has sponsored the event each year since its inception in 2015. This year, runners received a bottle of SPAR Own Brand still water. Members of the SPAR Northern Ireland team were also on hand at the start and finish lines, offering support and samples from local suppliers.

Core part of St Patrick’s Day celebrations

The ‘SPAR Craic 10k’ race is a key element to start the St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Belfast. Kicking off at 9am, the race brings runners and spectators into the city in the morning.

Bronagh Luke, Corporate Marketing Controller at Henderson Group, which operates the SPAR brand in Northern Ireland commented; “The SPAR Craic 10K has become a firm fixture for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations every year, and one that runners of all levels have come to look forward to.”

Source: Henderson Group

Read more about SPAR UK.

About SPAR UK

The United Kingdom became a SPAR member in 1956 when SPAR International granted the SPAR licence to a group of independent wholesalers. There are five regional organisations in the UK, continually building the brand’s presence. A central office in London provides national marketing and buying services for the group. SPAR UK comprises independently owned, licensed, retailers and company-owned stores.