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Record-breaking day as thousands take part in Belfast City Marathon

Belfast City Marathon 2025 LIVE
Bernie Allen
BBC News NI

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 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.

Pacemaker Press A lady in a wheelchair with a white helmet puts her thumbs up as she crosses through the blue ribbon. She is wearing red glasses and is wearing black gloves. She is wearing a vest with leggings.Pacemaker Press
Jayne Bleakley won the wheelchair race in her first marathon

The race started at Stormont at 09:00 BST and finishes in Ormeau Park.

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.

'A good day out'

Among those taking part in the marathon is Elaine Mac Anulty, who is running her part in the relay team dressed as Minnie Mouse.

"It's a good day out," she said.

"Every year we pick a different theme... Everybody wants to high five Mickey and Minnie."

Pacemaker 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.Pacemaker
Elaine Mac Anulty (second from left) and her relay team dress up for the occasion every year

Michael Walker has not run in a decade, but is picking back up the running shoes for a cause close to his heart.

"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."

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

For others, Sunday will be their first time taking part in a marathon.

Ciara McEvoy is a part of a relay team for a special needs school.

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

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

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.

Pacemaker A large crowd of runners begin their race from the starting line at the Stormont estate. The runners, wearing athletic gear, are running underneath a large blue banner reading 'Moy Park Belfast City Marathon' and are heading towards the camera. There are supporters behind metal barricades on either side holding up supportive signs.Pacemaker
Thousands of runners began the marathon from Stormont Estate in east Belfast

More on the winners can be found here.

Pacemaker Press A man with short black hair crossing the finish line. He is wearing a black and yellow running vest, black shorts and yellow trainers. He is crossing through a blue ribbon and you can see the crowd cheering him on from behind a blue branded baricade.Pacemaker Press
Pacemaker Press Numerous runners take off from the marathon start line wearing various coloured sportswear. There are spectators along the side of the road and Stormont in the background.Pacemaker Press
Tilahun Nigussie won the Belfast Marathon in a new event record

What roads are closed?

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

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 roads along the route opening and closing on a staggered basis as runners pass.

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.

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

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.