Phoenix Energy was proud to play its part in an unforgettable Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 3 May, as thousands of runners took to the streets of the city powered by determination, community spirit, and plenty of Phoenix Energy along the way.
Sponsoring the event for the very first time, Phoenix Energy helped to fuel the day both on and off the course, with staff and volunteers turning out in force to cheer runners on from dedicated cheer zones along the route. Armed with banners, noise, a finish line ‘PB Bell’ and plenty of positive energy, the Phoenix Energy team gave runners the boost they needed when it mattered most.
As one of Northern Ireland’s most prestigious sporting events, the Belfast City Marathon brought the city to life, with spectators lining the streets and a sense of excitement from start to finish. Phoenix Energy was delighted to be part of the action, supporting runners of all abilities as they pushed themselves to new personal milestones.
A particular highlight of the day was seeing Phoenix Energy’s sponsored athletes, Ciara Gill and Simon Trimble, cross the finish line after months of dedicated training. Following an online competition in late-2025, with over 30 entries, Ciara and Simon won the title of official Phoenix Energy Sponsored Runners bagging branded goodies and treats including an overnight stay at Belfast’s 5-star Fitzwilliam Hotel, providing some much-needed R&R following the big day.
Ciara completed the marathon in 4:36:38, while Simon finished in an impressive 4:35:43, each showing incredible commitment, resilience and determination throughout their marathon journey. Their performances perfectly captured the spirit of the day – proving that with the right support, encouragement and energy, anything is possible.
Following the race, Simon commented, “The Belfast marathon was an amazing experience, and the crowds brought the energy. Phoenix Energy made it possible for me to take part as a Sponsored Athlete and the package supplied made the training and recovery so much easier. A truly amazing experience.”
When Ciara reached the finish line she told us, “Being selected as a sponsored athlete for Phoenix Energy at the Belfast Marathon 2026 has been an incredible experience from start to finish. The level of support from the team was amazing, from constant motivation and encouragement to the real sense of community built through the shakeout runs, meeting with the other sponsored athlete and filming days. Phoenix also went above and beyond by bringing in some fantastic brands to kit me out, which made a huge difference in my preparation. I genuinely couldn’t have imagined taking on my first marathon without the backing of Phoenix Energy and the amazing team involved.”
Kailash Chada, Group Chief Executive at Phoenix Energy said, “Today is all about community, determination and energy – and we were incredibly proud to be part of it. This was Phoenix Energy’s first year sponsoring the Belfast City Marathon, and it truly lived up to its reputation as one of the most prestigious and inspiring events in Northern Ireland’s sporting calendar. From our sponsored athletes to our staff cheer zones, it was fantastic to see Phoenix Energy helping to fuel runners and spectators right across the city.”
He added:
“The support for runners was outstanding, and we want to say a huge well done to everyone who took part. We’re already looking forward to building on this in the years ahead.”
For Phoenix Energy, the day marked the start of an exciting journey with the Belfast City Marathon – one that celebrates resilience, teamwork and the power of people coming together to achieve something extraordinary.
Speaking at the event Dominic Walsh, Chair of Belfast City Marathon commented, “As we reflect on the incredible success of the 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon, we’re filled with pride and gratitude. With over 23,000 participants and a record-breaking atmosphere, this year’s event truly showcased the spirit of our community.
We were especially excited to have Phoenix Energy on board with this year’s event being their first as title sponsor. Their commitment to this iconic event has been invaluable in making the event a remarkable success, and we look forward to continuing our partnership across the rest of our event calendar and the years to come.
