Mash Direct to complete Marathon in a Tractor

L-R Clare Forster (Head of Marketing, Mash Direct) with Mash Direct’s ambassador Johnny Breen.

Title sponsor of the 40th Belfast City Marathon, Mash Direct, have decided to take on this very challenge on Sunday 1st May 2022!

Mash Direct’s ambassador Johnny Breen, a keen marathon and ultra-runner from Banbridge aims to complete 26.2 miles in Mash Direct’s Maris Mashcot tractor costume this coming May.

Johnny is accustomed to running fast paced marathon times such as the London Marathon in 2019, in a time of 3.16.59, and has a personal best of 2.56.39, achieved in Mayo in 2020. Running in the Maris Mashcot, weighing a mighty 20kg, will certainly test Johnny’s marathon expertise but he is more than ready to take on the challenge.

Johnny (Mash Direct Ambassador) says:

“The Belfast City Marathon promises to be such a fantastic day out. I am really looking forward to representing Mash Direct by running the 26.2 miles in Maris! It will be tough, Maris is definitely not a lightweight, but with the support of the always brilliant Belfast crowds and my fellow runners, I know I will make it.”

Mash Direct will be working with Belfast City Marathon to implement several New Year initiatives to help entrants get fit and increase vegetable consumption for a healthier lifestyle. These will include healthy, energy and immunity boosting recipes using Mash Direct’s very own range of vegetables and mash products. Mash Direct have lots of fresh vegetable dishes to help you increase your five a day, plus local potatoes, perfect for carb loading and marathon training.

Clare Forster, Head of Marketing, Mash Direct comments:

‘’We are really looking forward to sponsoring the 40th Belfast City Marathon and joining Johnny at the start line. I will be taking on my own challenge, aiming to complete my first full marathon. I will be running alongside Johnny to support him as he takes on the challenge of running the marathon in the Mash Direct Maris Mashcot. It is a really exciting year; this is an event that brings the best out in people. We would like to encourage as many participants as possible and members of the community to sign up and get involved in the walk, relay or marathon and bring communities together. We are encouraging people to make healthier lifestyle choices by increasing their vegetable consumption and participate in some form of exercise in the New Year. We are always by your side; we offer a range of healthy and convenient vegetable accompaniments.”

Has this given you some food for thought? It’s never too late to make a new health and fitness goal and with around 17 weeks left until Marathon Sunday, there is plenty of time to start training.

The 40th Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon takes place on Sunday 1st May 2022 with a Marathon, Team Relay and 8 Mile Walk option available. Enter now at www.belfastcitymarathon.com to enjoy the middle rate. Final entry will be on Friday 8th April 2022.

Volunteer opportunities are available for race weekend including the new Expo and Pack Collection, which will be held on Friday 29th and Saturday 30th April in the Titanic Exhibition Centre. Visit the event website for more details.

The Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon is sponsored by Athletics Northern Ireland, Daily Mirror, Belfast City Council, Better, Cool FM (Downtown Radio and Downtown Country), Translink, Belfast Live, Tayto, Four Star Pizza and CompareNI.com. This year’s official charity is Cancer Focus Northern Ireland.