Belfast City Marathon: Race under way with record entrant numbers

The Belfast Metropolis Marathon is beneath method with a file variety of entrants aiming to finish the 26.2-mile course.

There can be quite a few street closures and site visitors disruption because the route makes its method throughout town.

There are greater than 5,000 marathon individuals in addition to 12,500 relay runners who every full one in every of 5 legs of the route.

Greater than 1,000 individuals are collaborating in an eight-mile stroll.

On Friday organisers appealed to runners to not promote or swap race numbers if they can not participate.

It’s a “large downside”, in keeping with the marathon’s government supervisor.

In a message to rivals, Claire O’Neill mentioned: “You would possibly assume ‘it is okay I am not match to do it, take my quantity, they’ve offered out’… but it surely does have points for us.

“We do not know who you’re. If in case you have taken a quantity off any individual, we do not know your medical historical past, we do not know your age.

“That impacts insurance coverage and it additionally impacts you if one thing have been to occur to you bodily, and also you took sick, and could not proceed. We’d haven’t any method of contacting your loved ones so you will need to replace the knowledge.”

The age-category outcomes of a race can be affected.

“We want to ensure individuals are in the correct classes and it will possibly mess up the outcomes, particularly if males alternate with females,” Ms O’Neill mentioned.

BBC Information NI’s Bernadette Allen

The rain held off this morning as hundreds of runners gathered at Stormont for the Belfast Metropolis Marathon.

Many runners nearly made it to the end line earlier than the claxon, however the ambiance was jubilant – and rivals remarked that it was beautiful to be there

Stormont Park was stuffed with spectators who had all acquired up early to see family and friends participate, a lot of whom have been operating the race for the primary time.

The clear up operation at Stormont started simply as quickly because the runners had handed – as the majority of rivals made their solution to Victoria Road within the centre of town.

Sure – protection on BBC iPlayer started at 08:45 BST and can proceed after the races have completed.

You may also pay attention on Radio Ulster.

The marathon began at Stormont at 09:00 and takes in all areas of town – the route begins within the east earlier than going to the south west, north after which again to the south once more by the point runners cross the end line in Ormeau Park.

Spectators can stand at any level alongside the path to spectate and supply any encouragement.

There can be disruption at some point of the marathon, from about 06:00 BST till 16:30.

Roads alongside the route will shut and open once more, wholly or partially on a staggered foundation, as marathon runners move by way of,

That is significantly related if you’re planning to journey alongside the Ormeau Street, as many components can be closed with just some native or occasion entry.

Motorists are requested to observe diversion indicators and take course from stewards on the route.

Nonetheless, organisers say that after individuals have handed factors on the route, roads can be reopened as shortly as attainable.

Sure, if there are street closures in your bus route.

Translink can be placing on some particular providers.

For many who wish to watch the race kick-off, Translink is operating a free shuttle bus to the beginning line at Stormont.

It would depart from Belfast Metropolis Corridor (outdoors SS Moore sports activities store) from 07:00 to 08:00 and Lanyon Place Practice Station from 07:30 to 08:00.

There’s additionally a shuttle from Stormont that can take spectators from Massey Avenue (the doorway to the aspect of Parliament Buildings) to Ormeau Park after the race begins.

Transport for these collaborating in staff relays can be from 8:00 to 10:00 – it runs from Annadale Embankment at Dunnes Shops and can drop runners off at every relay changeover level on a loop.

If travelling again to Belfast Metropolis Centre there’s a shuttle bus from the Ormeau Embankment to town centre from 11:45 to 16:00.

In the meantime, a free Glider bus service will run from SS Moore or Wellington Road to Stormont each quarter-hour till 16:30.

In case you’re getting the prepare to Belfast, early providers will depart on the Londonderry, Larne, Bangor and Newry strains, with all arriving in Belfast’s Lanyon Place Station earlier than 08:00.

Describing the additional providers, Translink mentioned it needed to “make it as straightforward as attainable for runners and spectators to make use of our providers as they make their solution to the beginning line”.

The staff relay consists of 5 legs, of various distance, with changeover factors throughout the route:

Individuals should full the marathon run, wheelchair race or staff relay inside six hours and the eight-mile stroll occasion inside two hours and half-hour.

You may stroll the primary occasion if you want. You can’t run the eight-mile stroll.

In-ear headphones aren’t permitted however bone conducting headphones are allowed.

Individuals may be disqualified for: