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Thousands taking part in marathon Ethiopian wins Belfast Marathon
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Belfast in perfect conditions for the 2010 marathon. Ethiopian runner Urga Negewo has won the 29th Belfast Marathon in an exciting finish at Ormeau Park.
A total of 3,300 runners have entered the main race which began at the City Hall at 0900 BST and finishes at Ormeau Park. Negewo, 24, sprinted away from Belfast-based Kenyan John Mutai in the closing stages to win in a time of 2hrs 16mins and 53secs.
Mutai was going for his fourth win in succession in the race.
Sarah Stradling from England won the women's competition while Darrell Erwin from Ballymena prevailed in the wheelchair race.
Thousands of people, including many fun runners and relay competitors were still completing the course on Monday afternoon.
They were enjoying near perfect conditions for marathon running, with the weather dry but cool.
A total of 3,300 runners entered the main race which began at the City Hall at 0900 BST and finishes at Ormeau Park.
They are joined by 11,000 relay runners, 2,350 walkers and 1,500 fun runners in various events.They are joined by 11,000 relay runners, 2,350 walkers and 1,500 fun runners in various events.
The area around City Hall will be closed to through traffic between 0730 BST to 0930 BST. Disruption is expected on a number of roads in the city during the day.
Disruption is also expected on a number of other roads in the city during the day.
Kenyan athlete John Mutai is aiming for a fourth successive Belfast Marathon success.
Irish Olympian Maria McCambridge is among the favourites for the women's prize.
This year, pacers have been introduced to the marathon for those attempting to finish the 26.2 mile race in times of three hours, three and a half hours, four hours and four and a half hours.This year, pacers have been introduced to the marathon for those attempting to finish the 26.2 mile race in times of three hours, three and a half hours, four hours and four and a half hours.