Belfast Marathon 2026

On 3rd May 2026 we are running the Belfast Marathon 2026 in aid of Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI and Breast Cancer Now.

In September 2024 our mum Bridie was diagnosed with a very rare type of aggressive breast cancer. With quiet strength and resilience, she underwent 2 surgeries, chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

On the evening after one of her chemotherapy treatment sessions in March 2025, we found out the devastating news that John had been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia and had to begin treatment immediately. He underwent 4 gruelling rounds of chemotherapy in Belfast City Hospital. John had many obstacles which were very hard to overcome but he picked himself up and kept going through sheer determination and faith that he would get better. Throughout it all, his amazing wife Hannah was a constant support by his side, and he was cared for by the incredible staff on 10 North.

Mum and John are both now thankfully in remission. As a family, we would like to thank our family, friends and wider community including John’s work colleagues and St Michael’s teammates. They all wrapped themselves around us and got us through a really difficult year.

Running the Belfast Marathon is our way of giving something back to the charities who support patients and families facing these diagnoses every day. 75% of the profits will go to Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI and 25% to Breast Cancer now.

Leukaemia & Lymphoma NI is the only charity in NI dedicated to research into developing life-saving new treatments for Blood Cancers. All money remains in NI to fund work carried out here by the Blood Cancer Group at the Johnston Centre for Cancer Research near Belfast City Hospital.

Breast Cancer Now is here for anyone affected by breast cancer, every step of the way, providing support for today and hope for the future. Their vision is that by 2050, everyone diagnosed with breast cancer will live - and be supported to live well. They fund vital research into breast cancer including Mum’s specific type of cancer (Metaplastic breast cancer) which makes up only 1-2% of breast cancers worldwide. By supporting this charity, we hope to contribute to the research, care, and progress that could change the future for families like ours.

Any donation, big or small, will help support people living with blood cancers and breast cancer, fund vital research, and help families like ours when they need it most.

Thank you so much for all donations already added to our Eventmaster page. We have reached our initial target of £1000 for our relay place and all further donations will be through this page.

List of runners participating:
Hannah Kearney
Thomas Kearney
Lucy Kearney
Ella Kearney
Emma Colton
Jess Doherty
Rachel Nethercott
Jervis Quinn
Niamh Glass
James Kearney
James Kearney
Martin Mulholland
Dermot Bailey
Michael Quigley
Ellen Colton
Brad Shepherd
Yasmin McLean
Cathal McSherry