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Thousands taking part in Belfast City Marathon 2025

Belfast City Marathon 2025 LIVE
Bernie Allen
BBC News NI

The 43rd Belfast City Marathon has started with thousands of runners aiming to complete the 26.2-mile course.

The race started at Stormont at 9:00 BST and will finish in Ormeau Park.

Record numbers have taken part this year - organisers say 6,500 full marathon runners signed up along with 2,750 relay teams (which have between two and five people in them) and 1,200 walkers.

A number of roads are closed and there are changes to public transport.

The course starts in Stormont in east Belfast and heads 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 consists of five legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route.

There are some slight changes to the route in 2025 compared to previous years.

Last year, Kenyans Mathew Kiplimo Kembo and Beatrice Jepkemei won the men's and women's races respectively.

Chairman John Allen said the organisation was "delighted" to welcome participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.

Four women standing next to each other. From left to right the first has plaited long brown hair, black top and is wearing Minnie Mouse ears. Next to her is Elaine who has blonde hair tied back wearing a red Minnie Mouse costume. Next to her is a lady with black clothing and short blonde hair wearing Minnie Mouse ears, and beside her is a lady with a blue top, red shorts black sunglasses and Minnie Mouse ears with her dark hair tied up.
Elaine Mac Anulty (second from left) and her relay team dress up for the occasion every year

Elaine Mac Anulty is running the marathon as part of a relay team dressed as Minnie Mouse.

"We are all just out to have a bit of fun and raise some money for charity," she said.

"It's a good day out.

"Every year we pick a different theme, it's easy to dress up.

"Everybody wants to high five Mickey and Minnie."

Jill Chadburn has dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. She is wearing a purple top with a navy long sleeved top under it. She is holding a white unicorn with a multicoloured tail. Beside her is a woman with a pink cap, blue top, black jacket and purple shorts holding a blue balloon.
Jill Chadburn is carrying a unicorn balloon so the person after her in the relay will be able to spot her

Jill Chadburn is running the first leg of the marathon relay.

"I only signed up last Friday," she said.

"I'm holding a balloon for my part as I don't know the person I'm handing over to on the second leg, so I thought I would be distinctive so she could find me."

Marathon PB

Mr Tolan, who is on the right, stands next to another man. He has short black hair and is wearing a mint green vest with glasses. To the left is a man with ginger hair and facial hair wearing a red and white running vest with 'Children's Heartbeat Trust' written on it.
Ethan Tolan (pictured on the right) is hoping to beat his time from last year

Ethan Tolan said that this is his second marathon.

"I'm well strapped up [from injuries] and hoping to hold it together," he said.

"I want to beat my time from last year. I'm aiming for 3:25 this year."

Michael wearing a black cap, blue half zip fleece and black running fence smiles at the camera. He has a dark beard and moustache.
Michael Walker said he had not run in 10 years but wanted to give back to a charity that helped his family

Michael Walker had not run in a decade.

"I'm running for the charity Angel Eyes who helped my son," he told BBC News NI.

"It's been hard back training and it's been a culture shock."

Sophie Millar, is running a leg of the marathon as part of a relay, for the first time.

"I'm very nervous and I'm hoping my knee will hold out," she said.

There are four people in the picture. From left to right is a dark haired man with a grey jacket and black running vest. There are three women next to him with a hi-vis top on and black running vest.
Ciara McEvoy pictured alongside others as she takes part in her first marathon

This is also Ciara McEvoy's first marathon experience.

"I'm taking part in the relay for a special needs school," she said.

"It's brought the whole community together. We've been training at lunchtime."

A man and women holding a white banner each. He is wearing a grey hoodie and black jeans and has dark hair. The lady has black hair with sunglasses with a multicoloured top and blue jeans.
A lady with long brown hair and sunglasses holds a white sign as she wears a red top, black trousers and sandals. Beside her is a young girl holding a white sign and wearing a red top, and a small boy in a grey pram.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna is also among those running the marathon.

She had been planning for months to run the marathon but did not make it public until close to race day, as she was not sure whether she had prepared enough.

Posting on Instagram, she showed a picture of her race number and running top and said running had become a big part of her life.

DUP MLA Brian Kingston, who has run a number of marathons including Boston, is also due to run on Sunday.

A map showing the marathon route. It is green with grey marking out the buildings with a yellow line showing the route of the marathon.
Roads along the route will open and close on a staggered basis as runners pass

What roads are closed?

For a full comprehensive list of what roads are closed and when they reopen you can click here.

There will be some disruption for the duration of the marathon, with the Upper Newtownards Road closed at the Comber Road junction until 11:00 BST.

Roads along the route will open and close on a staggered basis as runners pass.

Organisers say roads will reopen as quickly as possible as runners pass key routes.

The last road to reopen will be the Ravenhill Road from the Rosetta Roundabout to the Ormeau Embankment (where local access is being maintained) which closes at 09:00 and does not reopen until 16:00.

Marathon organisers have asked that motorists please follow the traffic diversion signs and take direction from stewards.

"These traffic management measures are set up to prioritise safety for participants and road users," said chairman John Allen.

A weather graphic showing the predicted temperatures for the marathon day. A high of 8C at 7am, 10 at 10am, 11 at 1pm and 12 at 16:00. In the background is a blurred image of runners making their way from the start line.
Conditions are dry with sunny spells

To help people going to the marathon there special trains are running from Londonderry, Larne, Bangor and Newry to Belfast Lanyon Place.

For a list of all special departure times click here.

Public transport around the city will be affected due to several road closures.

Ulsterbus, Metro and Glider bus services within Belfast will be subject to delay or disruption.

Can I watch the marathon from the comfort of my living room?

You can watch live coverage of the race on BBC iPlayer and the BBC NI Sport website or listen on Radio Ulster.

There will also be updates here on the BBC News NI website.