Mother and daughter complete 'amazing milestone' by running Belfast Half Marathon

A Lisburn woman who finished the Belfast Half Marathon alongside her daughter, who has autism and additional needs said it was an "emotional day" as they completed an "amazing" milestone together.

Martina Rydout's daughter Anita is 25. At the age of four she was diagnosed with severe global developmental delay and her family said the initial prognosis for her future was bleak.

On Sunday, along with her mum and a number of friends, she completed the half marathon, after Anita took up running a decade ago with this goal in mind.

The 13.1 mile race started and finished in Ormeau Embankment as thousands of runners took in the north, south, east, and west of the city along their route.

Martina said Anita's running journey began when she entered a parkrun ten years ago.

From this she "slowly but surely took to running".

"The group of runners that we have, have become part of the community which enabled us to think about doing a half marathon and with their support and their help, we've got here and we've completed this amazing milestone," she said.

The group was also able to raise more than £4,500in the process, for a number of charities who support her.

"In doing it, Anita has raised money for two amazing charities; Live Life Wellbeing Centre and Sensibility NI, who do phenomenal work and support and help young people with additional needs thrive and support their families too, which is so important," she added.

Martina said the experience was very special.

"It was very emotional, a great achievement but Anita was rock solid, she kept us right, she kept our pace and we're all good," she said.

At the more competitive end of the race there was a repeat winner in the men's competition.

Stephen McAuley made it back to back titles, crossing the line in 1:05:18.

Danny Mooney was second in 1:08:30, with Patrick McColl third in 1:09:06.

In the women's race, Judith Storm won in 1:14:14.

Dearbhla Cox, last years winner, was second with a time of 1:17:35, with Máire Ferguson third in 1:17:44.