Overview of the Belfast Marathon
The 44th Belfast City Marathon is scheduled for Sunday, attracting thousands of runners and spectators to the streets of Belfast.
The marathon covers a 26.2-mile course beginning in east Belfast and concluding at Ormeau Park in the city's south, passing through the north and west areas en route.
Consequently, numerous road closures will be in effect throughout Sunday, and public transportation services will experience disruptions.
The inaugural Belfast City Marathon took place on the same date in 1982, with over 3,000 runners starting near the city centre at the former Maysfield Leisure Centre.
What time does the marathon start?
The race commences at the Stormont estate in east Belfast.
The wheelchair race begins at 08:59 BST, followed by the elite race at 09:00 BST, and all other participants start at 09:01 BST.
Runners start on Prince of Wales Avenue, proceeding downhill onto the Upper Newtownards Road.
When is it likely to finish?
Abay Alemu, an international elite runner from Ethiopia with a personal best of 2:06:50, is expected to be among the first to finish shortly after 11:00 BST.
Other runners will continue along the course for several hours afterward.
Roads will reopen approximately six hours after the start; runners still on the course after this time are advised to use footpaths and comply with road safety regulations.
How many people are taking part?
Nearly 24,000 individuals have registered for the marathon, though organizers anticipate a 10-15% drop-off on race day.
Entrants in the marathon must be aged 18 or older, while team relay participants must be at least 16 years old.
It is estimated that between 70,000 and 100,000 spectators will attend the event.
Is there going to be extra public transport?
Special early morning train services will run from Londonderry, Larne, Bangor, and Newry to Belfast Lanyon Place to assist attendees.
These additional trains cannot be booked in advance, and standard fares apply.
Public transport within Belfast will be affected due to road closures, with Ulsterbus, Metro, and Glider services subject to delays or disruptions.
Shuttle buses will operate from Belfast City Hall and Lanyon Place Station to the starting line from 07:00 BST and 07:30 BST, respectively.
Additional shuttle buses will transport spectators from Massey Avenue to Ormeau Park after the race start at Stormont, and buses will drop off runners at relay changeover points.
From 11:45 BST to 16:00 BST, buses will ferry participants from Ormeau Embankment to Belfast City Centre, with shuttle buses returning spectators from Ormeau Embankment to Stormont.
What is the Belfast marathon route?
The course begins at Stormont in east Belfast, heads south, then west along Boucher Road, continues north via Falls Road, passes the Waterworks and city centre, and finishes at Ormeau Park.
There are minor route changes this year in east Belfast, with a left turn off Beersbridge Road onto Clara Street, then another left onto Castlereagh Road.
In north Belfast, the route remains on Oldpark Road, turning right at the roundabout onto Cliftonville Road before continuing.
What are the relay changeover points?
The Team Relay follows the same route as the main marathon and wheelchair race, divided into five legs of varying distances with designated changeover points:
- LEG 1: Stormont Estate to Montgomery Road – 4.2 miles
- LEG 2: Montgomery Road to Boucher Road – 6.8 miles
- LEG 3: Boucher Road to Falls Road – 4.5 miles
- LEG 4: Falls Road to Duncairn Gardens – 5 miles
- LEG 5: Duncairn Gardens to Ormeau Park – 5.7 miles
Organizers note that leg distances are approximate and may vary depending on exact changeover locations, which can span up to half a mile.
Runners are advised to be cautious approaching changeover points, as relay participants prepare to start their segments.
Designated sides of the road at each changeover point help maintain smooth runner flow.
What roads are closed for the Belfast Marathon?
A full list of road closures and reopening times is available online.
Road closures will cause disruptions throughout the marathon. For example, Upper Newtownards Road at Comber Road junction will be closed from approximately 06:00 to 11:00 BST.
Closures will be staggered as runners pass. Boucher Road from Tates Avenue to Stockmans Lane will be closed between 08:30 and 13:30 BST, and Duncairn Gardens in north Belfast will be closed from 09:30 to 14:45 BST.
The final road to reopen will be Ravenhill Road from Rosetta Roundabout to Ormeau Embankment, closing at 09:00 BST and reopening at 15:45 BST, with local access maintained.
When can I pick up my Belfast marathon race pack?
The Belfast City Marathon Expo and pack collection will take place at the Waterfront Hall on Friday, 1 May, and Saturday, 2 May.
All participants must attend to receive their race number, t-shirt, and bag; no packs will be mailed or available on race day.
To collect a pack, participants need the QR code from their confirmation email, accessible via their Eventmaster account.
If unable to attend, someone else may collect the pack on the participant's behalf with printed QR code confirmation, limited to three packs per person.
How can I prepare for the Marathon?
Before leaving home, participants should verify their equipment, including race number, timing chip, pins, and final instructions.
Using restroom facilities prior to departure is advised.
Toilet facilities have been increased this year but may still be insufficient for all competitors.
Bag drop facilities are available at the Expo & Pack Collection, at Charles Hurst vehicles outside, Carson's Statue, and Prince of Wales Gates at Stormont.
Bag drop closes promptly at 08:15 BST; bags left after this time will not be transported to the finish line.
At the start line, participants should allow space for elite runners at the front and avoid pushing forward.
Runners are asked to line up according to predicted finish times, following signage indicating where to stand.
Elite athletes, identified and invited to the elite pen, will wear green race numbers and should be in position by 08:45 BST.
Wheelchair athletes should also be at the front of the start line by 08:45 BST.
What are the rules?
Participants may face disqualification for violations; however, specific rules were not detailed in this release.
Is the eight-mile walk still part of the marathon?
The eight-mile walk, first introduced in 1997, will not be included in the 2026 event.
Claire O'Neill, chief executive of Belfast City Marathon, stated, "the decision to cancel the walk was not taken lightly."
She added, "the decision is not about excluding the walkers - the marathon is in a very different position in 2025 than what it was in 1997."
What facilities will there be at Ormeau Park?
Ormeau Park will offer refreshments, food, samples, and freebies from marathon sponsors.
An athletic village and a charity village will be set up for attendees.
For younger spectators, amusement attractions will be available.
Water will be provided at the finish line and at eight water stations along the route.
Can I watch the marathon at home?
Yes, live coverage will be presented by Mark Simpson and Nicola McCarthy from various points along the course.
The race will be broadcast live on BBC and the BBC NI Sport website, with radio coverage on Radio Ulster starting at 08:45 BST on Sunday.
Updates will also be available on the NI website.
What will the weather be like on the day of the marathon?
The forecast predicts a mostly cloudy day with moderate northeasterly winds from Belfast Lough.
Most of the day is expected to be dry, although occasional passing showers are possible.
Cloud cover may break at times, allowing some sunshine.
Temperatures will start around 9°C, rising to 13-14°C by early afternoon, close to the average for early May.
Winds are not expected to be strong, and the temperature should be comfortable for runners and spectators alike.
Good luck!
Best wishes to all participants competing in the marathon.
