Marathon Health Month encourages runners, walkers and volunteers to keep fit in February

The organisers of the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon have launched their official “Health Month” for February.

Now more important than ever as we all try to recover from a global pandemic, the event will be working with sponsors to provide a full schedule of activities, tips and competitions to help keep you healthy and active in 2022.

Perhaps you have signed up for the Marathon, Team Relay or 8 Mile Walk events, taking place on Sunday, May 1?

Or maybe you still plan to, but need the motivation to start training?

Have you decided to volunteer instead for the 40th year of the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon?

Whatever your plans are for this year’s event, make 2022 your year to be healthier and more active.

The event will be teaming up with title sponsor Mash Direct to provide healthy, energy and immunity boosting recipes for marathon and team relay runners, walkers, and volunteers.

Mash Direct have lots of fresh vegetable dishes to help you increase your 'five-a-day', plus local potatoes, perfect for carb loading.

Official gym sponsor Better will also be providing training plans, tips and more to help you get started or motivate you to keep going on your marathon journey.

Included will be updates on the Ruby Runner ambassadors, with support from Better, as they train for their first ever marathon.

Keep an eye out in the Daily Mirror and on Belfast Live Sport as they introduce the ambassadors weekly.

This Friday (February 4) marks World Cancer Day and official charity partner Cancer Focus Northern Ireland will be encouraging you to eat healthier and become more active to help prevent cancer.

Participants in the Marathon, Team Relay and 8 Mile Walk events are encouraged to run or walk for Cancer Focus NI to help fund