The Belfast Irish Milers Meet celebrated its’ decade edition on Saturday 10th May, which was highlighted by Justin Davies setting a Welsh Record in the men’s international 800m.
After ten successful year since the establishment of the Belfast Irish Milers Meet in 2015, Race Director Eamonn Christie has rebranded the track meet which will be formally known as The Belfast Classic.
The 2026 edition of the track meet and first edition of The Belfast Classic will take place on Saturday 9th May at the Mary Peters Track, Belfast.
“I’m looking forward to 2026 edition, were will have a new headline sponsor on board” Commented Race Director Eamonn Christie.
Pictured: Ardent Wealth Sponsored Women’s International 800m
“After ten years, I thought it was time to rebrand. I won’t be retiring anytime soon and have big plans for the first edition of the Belfast Classic” said Eamonn Christie.
Christie continued, “it’s fantastic to look back over the ten years and we’ve had some absolutely outstanding performances”
Pictured: Men’s International 800m
The Race Director highlighted ten stand out performances over the ten years of the Belfast Irish Milers Meet:
Welsh Record 2025. British athlete Justin Davies set a Welsh Record to win the Men’s International 800m. Davies posted a time of 1:44.35 which is also a leading British u23 time, 2026 Commonwealth Games standard, World Championships Qualifying Time and a Mary Peters Track Stadium Record.
Leading Canadian Time. Canadian Olympian Gabriela Deubes-Stafford clocked 8:39.35 for a comfortable win in the women’s 3000m at the 2025 edition. This time ranks Deubes-Stafford number one in Canada by over ten seconds.
European Record. In 2024 seventeen year old Phoebe Gill had a history making performance to win the women’s International 800m. Gill front ran the 2 lap race and took victory in an outstanding 1:57.86. This qualified Gill for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and broke the 45 year old European u18 Record.
Irish 1500m Record. Double Commonwealth Games Athlete Kelly Neely set a new Irish Masters Record in the 2024 Women's 1500m.
Irish Record. In 2022 Louise Shanahan wrote the Belfast Irish Milers Meet into the Irish Record books. Shanahan stormed to victory over 800m breaking the Irish 800m Record with a time of 1:59.42.
World Athletics. In 2022 the Belfast Irish Milers Meet became part of the World Athletics Continental Tour.
Tokyo Olympic Games QT. British athlete Alexandra Bell won the 2021 Women’s International 800m in a time of 1:58.52, which was the qualifying standard for the postponed Tokyo Olympic Games and the first time a sub 2 minute clocking was performed at the Belfast Irish Milers Meet.
European Athletics. In 2021 the Belfast Irish Milers Meet was awarded a European Athletics Permit.
Irish Masters Record. In 2020 Irish Olympian and Irish Masters Record Holder Shane Healy clocked 3:59.17 for 1500m to set a new Irish Masters Record.
World Record. In 2019 Irelands’ Anne Gilshinan set a new World Record in the 1500m (over 55 category).
To say up to date with the latest news on The Belfast Classic, follow Race Director Eamonn Christie on all social media platforms.
