Thousands of runners including Buncrana tragedy mum take part in marathon

Louise James paid an emotional tribute to more than 100 runners – including a hero who saved her baby daughter from drowning in the accident – who joined her in the race.

Crossing the line at the marathon, she said her eight-year-old son Evan would have been proud of them all.

“I want to thank every single person who took part to remember Evan, whether you ran the race or have put your hand in your pocket to donate,” she said. “You did something remarkable in his name and to celebrate his life. I know he would be proud.”

Ms James’ partner Sean McGrotty, 46, died alongside Evan, her other son Mark, 12, her mother Ruth Daniels, 57, and her sister Jodie Lee Daniels, 14, when their SUV sank after sliding off a slipway in Buncrana in March.

Ms James, from Londonderry, had been away for the weekend when the accident happened.

The rescue of her four-month-old daughter Rionaghac-Ann, the sole survivor, is her only reason to go on living, she has said.

Davitt Walsh, who jumped into the water and saved the baby, was among those who completed the marathon to raise funds for Muscular Dystrophy UK. Evan suffered from the muscle-wasting condition, Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

“Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a heart-breaking condition,” said Ms James after the race. “There are hundreds of young people who live with it today.”

Family, friends and neighbours of Ms James ran together as Team Evan.

Some 17,000 people took part in the 35th marathon yesterday, either competing in the full race or in one of the 1,800 five-person relay teams.

There was also a shorter distance walk and a wheelchair marathon.

Other participants who competed for charity yesterday included the Northern Irish former manager of Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers, 43.

He was competing alongside his fiancée Charlotte Searle (formerly Hind) on behalf of the Northern Ireland Hospice, which care for his late father Malachy as he was dying in 2011.

The main race, in which 2,700 runners took part, was won by Joel Kipsang Kositany from Kenya. It was his third Belfast Marathon victory, with a time of two hours, 17 minutes and 39 seconds.

A Kenyan also took second place, Eric Koech

The women’s race was won by an Ethiopian Berhan Gebremichael.

A Kilkeel woman was runner-up, Laura Graham.

The participants on behalf of Evan James wore a specially designed t-shirt featuring Evan and his big brother Mark.

Robert Meadowcroft, chief executive of Muscular Dystrophy UK, offered heartfelt thanks to the team.

“It’s impossible to comprehend what Louise, her family and friends must be going through,” he said.

“We are in awe of the strength of character they display in resolving to do something so tremendous to celebrate the lives of those lost.”

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