Local fireman blazes the marathon trail

A Banbridge Retained Firefighter, Richie Johnston, was set to run this year's Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon in full fire kit and helmet.
Banbridge Fire Fighter Richie Johnston will be running this years Belfast Marathon in full fire fighters kit for The Cancer Fund For Children represented by Amanda Steele, events fund raiser and the Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund for Victor Spence, District Commander.  C1611112.Banbridge Fire Fighter Richie Johnston will be running this years Belfast Marathon in full fire fighters kit for The Cancer Fund For Children represented by Amanda Steele, events fund raiser and the Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund for Victor Spence, District Commander.  C1611112.
Banbridge Fire Fighter Richie Johnston will be running this years Belfast Marathon in full fire fighters kit for The Cancer Fund For Children represented by Amanda Steele, events fund raiser and the Fire Fighters Benevolent Fund for Victor Spence, District Commander. C1611112.

Richie was supported by relay teams from Banbridge Station, Whitla Fire Station, and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters in Lisburn.

He was further supported by a team of Banbridge-based Firefighters providing food and drink during the race.

The NIFRS sent good luck messages to all those representing the organisation in the marathon.

The Retained Firefighter of over seven years is no stranger to running marathons, but this is the first time he has ran in full firefighter kit

The father of three was raising funds for the work of the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children and the Firefighters Charity.

Speaking before the event Richie said: “I’ve run the marathon before, but I saw a couple of people do it in their fire kits in England and I thought I’d like to give it a go.

“I’ve completed a few half marathons and 10Ks but completing the Belfast Marathon in kit will be a new challenge. I’ll need to ensure I get plenty of water and food on the day.

“I would like to thank Banbridge Firefighters Paul Anderson, Desmond Curran, Scott McSpadden and Mervyn Ingram, who will be carrying a support pack filled with food and drinks during the race.”

If you would like to help support Richard during this arduous ordeal, please see his Just Giving page at: www.justgiving.com/Richard-Johnston17.

The team based at Whitla Fire Station were running for the Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association to celebrate the charity’s 70th anniversary.

The team from NIFRS Headquarters were raising money for Action Cancer, and the team’s Just Giving page can be found at: www.justgiving.com/hoserunners.

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