Record-breaking day as thousands take part in Belfast City Marathon
Thousands of runners began the marathon from Stormont Estate in east Belfast
- Published
The 43rd Belfast City Marathon record has been broken by Tilahun Nigussie as thousands of runners take part in the 26.2-mile course.
The Ethiopian won the marathon with a new event record of 2:13:37.
Kenya's Millicent Kibet took victory in the women's race in 2:38.30 while Jayne Bleakley won the wheelchair race in 2:29:28 in her first marathon.
Record numbers took part this year - organisers said 6,500 full marathon runners signed up along with 2,750 relay teams (which had between two and five people in them) and 1,200 walkers.
The race finished in Ormeau Park.
A number of roads across the city were closed, and a staggered reopening took place in the afternoon.
Public transport around the city was also affected, external due to the road closures.
- Image source, Pacemaker Press
Image caption, Tilahun Nigussie won the Belfast Marathon in a new event record
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The course started in Stormont in east Belfast at 09:00 BST and runners headed south, taking in the Boucher Road, west on to the Falls Road, then north, past the Waterworks, as well as through the city centre, before ending in Ormeau Park.
The relay consisted of five legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route.
There were some slight changes to the route in 2025 compared to previous years.
Chairman John Allen said the organisation was "delighted" to welcome participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
'A good day out'
Some of those taking part in the event spoke to BBC News NI before the race began.
Michael Walker had not run for a decade, but put on his running shoes for a cause close to his heart - a charity that had helped his son.
He said the training was hard and "a culture shock".
Michael Walker said he had not run in 10 years but wanted to give back to a charity that helped his family
For others, taking part in the marathon was an opportunity to do something special as part of a team.
Ciara McEvoy ran as part of a special needs school relay team who trained together lunchtime.
"It's brought the whole community together," she added.
Ethan Tolan (pictured on the right) hoped to beat his time from last year
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) SDLP leader Claire Hanna, in her first marathon, finished the course in just under four hours and 37 minutes, and was believed to be the first Westminster MP to complete the Belfast race.
She was the second Northern Ireland party leader to run the Belfast marathon after the then Alliance leader David Ford ran it in 2009 and 2010.
Hanna finished the race at Ormeau Park in her own constituency, South Belfast and Mid Down.
Posting on X after, Hanna said the "cheers, jelly beans and funny signs" made it bearable.
DUP politician Brian Kingston went around the 26.2 mile course at a fast pace, clocking a time of three hours and 32 minutes. It was his 15th marathon
His party colleague, Cheryl Brownlee MLA, ran the London marathon last month.
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Jayne Bleakley won the wheelchair race in her first marathon
Roads along the route opened and closed on a staggered basis
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