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Belfast City Marathon: Race has record entrant numbers Belfast City Marathon: Race has record entrant numbers
(about 3 hours later)
The marathon got under way at Stormont on Sunday morningThe marathon got under way at Stormont on Sunday morning
Thousands of runners have taken part in the 2024 Belfast City Marathon.Thousands of runners have taken part in the 2024 Belfast City Marathon.
This year had a record number of entrants aiming to complete the 26.2-mile course.This year had a record number of entrants aiming to complete the 26.2-mile course.
There were numerous road closures and traffic disruption as the route made its way across the city.There were numerous road closures and traffic disruption as the route made its way across the city.
Kenyans Mathew Kiplimo Kembo and Beatrice Jepkemei won the men's and women's races respectively.Kenyans Mathew Kiplimo Kembo and Beatrice Jepkemei won the men's and women's races respectively.
Jepkemei's winning time of 2:35:03 cut one minute and 47 seconds off the previous women's Belfast mark.Jepkemei's winning time of 2:35:03 cut one minute and 47 seconds off the previous women's Belfast mark.
The winning time in the men's race was 2:14:44.The winning time in the men's race was 2:14:44.
More than 5,000 marathon participants and 12,500 relay runners each running one of the route's five legs were registered to take part.More than 5,000 marathon participants and 12,500 relay runners each running one of the route's five legs were registered to take part.
More than 1,000 participants took part in an eight-mile walk.More than 1,000 participants took part in an eight-mile walk.
Watch: Belfast City Marathon LiveWatch: Belfast City Marathon Live
In pictures: Belfast City Marathon 2024In pictures: Belfast City Marathon 2024
Kenyans Kiplimo and Jepkemei clinch Belfast winsKenyans Kiplimo and Jepkemei clinch Belfast wins
Belfast City Marathon: 'To run within your own city is just amazing'
Belfast City Marathon: 'To run within your own city is just amazing'
Among those who took part in the event were sisters Jenny and Karen Keery from Bangor who are running for Transplant Sport Northern Ireland.Among those who took part in the event were sisters Jenny and Karen Keery from Bangor who are running for Transplant Sport Northern Ireland.
"Twelve years ago Karen had a kidney transplant and she had my left kidney," Jenny said."Twelve years ago Karen had a kidney transplant and she had my left kidney," Jenny said.
"Ever since the operation we have had a main focus on staying fit and healthy - as a living donor I am prone to high blood pressure.""Ever since the operation we have had a main focus on staying fit and healthy - as a living donor I am prone to high blood pressure."
She added: "I have walked a marathon, but I have never physically run 26.2 miles.She added: "I have walked a marathon, but I have never physically run 26.2 miles.
"I will feel absolutely delighted, maybe a little bit emotional, if I actually get to the finish line.""I will feel absolutely delighted, maybe a little bit emotional, if I actually get to the finish line."
More than 1,000 participants are taking part in an eight-mile walk More than 1,000 participants took part in an eight-mile walk
The highest placed runner from Northern Ireland was Eskander Turki Osman of Annadale Striders who was running his first ever marathon.The highest placed runner from Northern Ireland was Eskander Turki Osman of Annadale Striders who was running his first ever marathon.
"It was great, I can run faster than this one, my time, but it's OK for now," he said."It was great, I can run faster than this one, my time, but it's OK for now," he said.
The winner of the wheelchair race was Paul Hannan.The winner of the wheelchair race was Paul Hannan.
"I found the course very good, it's better than the last course, it's a lot flatter," he said."I found the course very good, it's better than the last course, it's a lot flatter," he said.
"Great support the whole way round," "Great support the whole way round," he added.
'The atmosphere was jubilant''The atmosphere was jubilant'
BBC News NI's Bernadette AllenBBC News NI's Bernadette Allen
Some colourful outfits on display at Sunday's race
The rain held off this morning as thousands of runners gathered at Stormont for the Belfast City Marathon.The rain held off this morning as thousands of runners gathered at Stormont for the Belfast City Marathon.
Many runners just about made it to the finish line before the claxon, but the atmosphere was jubilant - and competitors remarked that it was lovely to be thereMany runners just about made it to the finish line before the claxon, but the atmosphere was jubilant - and competitors remarked that it was lovely to be there
Stormont Park was filled with spectators who had all got up early to see friends and family take part, many of whom were running the race for the first time.Stormont Park was filled with spectators who had all got up early to see friends and family take part, many of whom were running the race for the first time.
The clean up operation at Stormont began just as soon as the runners had passed - as the bulk of competitors made their way to Victoria Street in the centre of the city.The clean up operation at Stormont began just as soon as the runners had passed - as the bulk of competitors made their way to Victoria Street in the centre of the city.
Can I follow the marathon from the comfort of my living room? Father and son Pat and Jack Miller are running the full marathon
Yes - coverage on BBC iPlayer began at 08:45 BST and will continue after the races have finished. Pat Miller was planning to run the full marathon on Sunday.
You can also listen on Radio Ulster. He's a seasoned runner having completed last year's event and also the London Marathon several years ago.
Allow Twitter content? "I'm still trying to get under four hours and this year my son's joining me," he told BBC News NI.
This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Twitter’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. When asked if he was hoping to beat his father, first-time runner Jack answered confidently: "I know I am."
You can get in touch with BBC Northern Ireland on their social channels if you're running and would like a shout out from presenter Mark Simpson and the team.
What is the Belfast Marathon route?What is the Belfast Marathon route?
The marathon starts at Stormont in east Belfast and finishes in Ormeau Park in south BelfastThe marathon starts at Stormont in east Belfast and finishes in Ormeau Park in south Belfast
The marathon started at Stormont at 09:00 and takes in all areas of the city - the route starts in the east before going to the south west, north and then back to the south again by the time runners cross the finish line in Ormeau Park. The marathon started at Stormont at 09:00 and took in all areas of the city - the route started in the east before going to the south west, north and then back to the south again by the time runners crossed the finish line in Ormeau Park.
You can have a look at projected times for participants across the marathon route here.You can have a look at projected times for participants across the marathon route here.
Spectators can stand at any point along the route to spectate and offer any encouragement. Spectators could stand at any point along the route to spectate and offer any encouragement.
What roads will be closed? Was there any traffic disruption?
Father and son Pat and Jack Miller are running the full marathon There was some disruption for the duration of the marathon, from about 06:00 BST until 16:30.
There will be disruption for the duration of the marathon, from about 06:00 BST until 16:30. Roads along the route closed and opened again, wholly or partially on a staggered basis, as marathon runners passed through.
Roads along the route will close and open again, wholly or partially on a staggered basis, as marathon runners pass through, However, organisers said that once participants had passed points on the route, roads were to reopen as quickly as possible.
An extensive list of what roads will be closed and when can be found here, which can be used to plan your day on Sunday if you're planning to travel across the city. What were the team relay changeover points?
This is particularly relevant if you are planning to travel along the Ormeau Road, as many parts will be closed with only some local or event access.
The marathon team has also put together a map of road closures.
Motorists are asked to follow diversion signs and take direction from stewards on the route.
However, organisers say that once participants have passed points on the route, roads will be reopened as quickly as possible.
Will public transport be affected?
Some colourful outfits on display at Sunday's race
Yes, if there are road closures on your bus route.
Translink is also putting on some special services.
For those who want to watch the race kick-off, Translink is running a free shuttle bus to the start line at Stormont.
It will depart from Belfast City Hall (outside SS Moore sports shop) from 07:00 to 08:00 and Lanyon Place Train Station from 07:30 to 08:00.
There is also a shuttle from Stormont that will take spectators from Massey Avenue (the entrance to the side of Parliament Buildings) to Ormeau Park after the race begins.
Fancy dress outfits are also being worn
Transport for those taking part in team relays will be from 8:00 to 10:00 - it runs from Annadale Embankment at Dunnes Stores and will drop runners off at each relay changeover point on a loop.
If travelling back to Belfast City Centre there is a shuttle bus from the Ormeau Embankment to the city centre from 11:45 to 16:00.
Meanwhile, a free Glider bus service will run from SS Moore or Wellington Street to Stormont every 15 minutes until 16:30.
If you're getting the train to Belfast, early services will depart on the Londonderry, Larne, Bangor and Newry lines, with all arriving in Belfast's Lanyon Place Station before 08:00.
Describing the extra services, Translink said it wanted to "make it as easy as possible for runners and spectators to use our services as they make their way to the start line".
What are the team relay changeover points?
The leaders of this year's race pass in Belfast city centreThe leaders of this year's race pass in Belfast city centre
The team relay consists of five legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route:The team relay consists of five legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route:
Leg 1: Stormont Estate to Montgomery Road, 4 milesLeg 1: Stormont Estate to Montgomery Road, 4 miles
Leg 2: Montgomery Road to Boucher Road, 7.8 milesLeg 2: Montgomery Road to Boucher Road, 7.8 miles
Leg 3: Boucher Road to Falls Road, 4.2 milesLeg 3: Boucher Road to Falls Road, 4.2 miles
Leg 4: Falls Road to North Queen Street, 5 milesLeg 4: Falls Road to North Queen Street, 5 miles
Leg 5: Duncairn Gardens to Ormeau Park 5.5 milesLeg 5: Duncairn Gardens to Ormeau Park 5.5 miles
I'm taking part in the marathon - anything else I should know?
Some of the wheelchair users taking part in the marathon on SundaySome of the wheelchair users taking part in the marathon on Sunday
Participants must complete the marathon run, wheelchair race or team relay within six hours and the eight-mile walk event within two hours and 30 minutes. Participants were required to complete the marathon run, wheelchair race or team relay within six hours and the eight-mile walk event within two hours and 30 minutes.
You can walk the main event if you wish. You cannot run the eight-mile walk. Entrants could have walked the main event if they wished but runners were not allowed on the eight-mile walk event.
In-ear headphones are not permitted but bone conducting headphones are allowed. In-ear headphones were not permitted but bone-conducting headphones are allowed.
There will be pacers and you can find a list of pacers for your time here. Participants could have been disqualified for:
Participants can be disqualified for:
Urination in any area other than that of designated toilets on routeUrination in any area other than that of designated toilets on route
Swapping numbersSwapping numbers
Deviation from run routeDeviation from run route
Tampering with timing chipTampering with timing chip
Refusing to obey the instructions of race officialsRefusing to obey the instructions of race officials
Unsportsmanlike conductUnsportsmanlike conduct
Offensive actions or language to race officials, volunteers, participants or spectatorsOffensive actions or language to race officials, volunteers, participants or spectators
Last year Mohammed Oumaarir from Morocco won the men's event and Shewaye Woldemeskel from Ethiopia triumphed in the women's event. Can I rewatch the Belfast Marathon from the comfort of my living room?
Yes - all 319 minutes of coverage, from the grounds of Stormont to Ormeau Park, is available on BBC iPlayer for the next 11 months.
BBC Sport NI: Belfast City Marathon Live 2024
Related TopicsRelated Topics
BelfastBelfast
Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Marathon runningMarathon running
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