PRESS STATEMENT
Alex Easton MP for North Down
I want to warmly congratulate everyone involved following the remarkable scenes at the Boston Marathon, and in particular Bangor’s own Aaron Beggs.
Aaron has done North Down proud—not only through completing one of the world’s most prestigious races in a superb time of 2:44:45, placing him among a very large international field of tens of thousands of runners, but through an act of true sportsmanship that has rightly captured global attention.
Stopping just metres from the finish line to help a fellow runner in distress speaks volumes about his character. At a moment when many would have pushed on for a personal best, Aaron chose compassion, decency, and humanity.
As a member of Sons of Ulster LOL 1027, Aaron has clearly demonstrated the values that Orangism stands for—brotherly love, charity, and integrity. In front of a worldwide audience, he showed that these are not just words, but principles lived out in action.
His actions are a credit to himself, his family, his Lodge, his club, and the wider community. They also reflect the very best of what sport should represent—respect, humility, and looking out for others, even at personal cost.
The fact that this moment has been viewed and shared by such a large global audience only reinforces the impact of what he did. It has brought positive attention not only to Aaron, but to Bangor and Northern Ireland as a whole.
Aaron’s selfless decision is something we can all be proud of, and I have no doubt his example will inspire many others.
Well done, Aaron—you have represented Bangor, Northern Ireland, and Sons of Ulster LOL 1027 with distinction.
