Belfast City Marathon: Road closure details and everything you need to know ahead of the race

It is the first and only marathon in Northern Ireland to join the World Athletics Label Road Race Series.

The race starts at Stormont and finishes in Ormeau Park, running through all four areas of the City; North, South, East and West.

The Belfast event is renowned for the incredible local support and crowds to cheer your on throughout your 26.2 mile journey.

There is an event to suit all levels of fitness on including a Marathon Run, Wheelchair Race, Team Relay and 8 Mile Walk, attracting over 15,000 participants annually.

In 2023, the Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon joined the prestigious World Athletics Label Road Race Series.

The 2024 race is ‘sold out’ with a record 5,500 taking to the streets of Belfast, making it the ‘biggest’ marathon in the city's history.

Start time

The race will start at Stormont at 9am and finish in Ormeau Park on Sunday 5th May 2024.

Projected times for participants across the marathon route can be found here.

Route

The Marathon route runs through all 4 areas of Belfast; North, South, East and West, starting at Stormont Estate and finishing in Ormeau Park.

Team relay

The Team Relay follows the same route as the main Marathon Race and the Wheelchair Race.

This event is perfect if you are exploring an interest in running as there are ‘legs’ of the marathon route ranging from approximately 4 to 7.5 miles.

As the name suggests, this is very much a "team" based event rather than competitive. More often than not friends, work colleagues or schools will form a team and raise much needed funds for charity.

The 2024 Moy Park Belfast City Marathon Team Relay is also sold out with a record 2,500 teams taking to the streets of Belfast, making it the biggest Team Relay in the city's history.

The Team Relay follows the same route as the Marathon, which route runs through all 4 areas of Belfast; North, South, East and West, starting at Stormont Estate and finishing in Ormeau Park.

Team relay legs

The Team Relay consists of 5 legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route.

LEG 1: Stormont Estate - Montgomery Road, 4 miles.

LEG 2: Montgomery Road - Boucher Road, 7.8 miles.

LEG 3: Boucher Road - Falls Road, 4.2 miles.

LEG 4: Falls Road - North Queen Street, 5 miles.

LEG 5: Duncairn Gardens - Ormeau Park 5.5 miles.

Can I amend/transfer my entry?

If you would like to transfer your entry to another person/group, you can do so via the manage my booking facility on Eventmaster.

This can be done free of charge however there will be a cut off date.

MARATHON, TEAM RELAY & 8 MILE WALK - To transfer your entry to another person, you can do so via the manage my booking facility on Eventmaster and selecting the 'edit' option.

No dogs or wheeled items

No participant may bring dogs, baby joggers, baby strollers, skateboards, rollerblades, hand cycles, unauthorised bicycles or any other wheeled device on the course.

Only hand propelled wheelchairs and aided / pushed wheelchairs are permitted for the Marathon, 8 Mile Walk and Half Marathon Events.

Wheelchair and aided / pushed wheelchair participants MUST contact the event organisers in advance of registration to secure permission to compete and to complete a risk assessment. Wheelchair and aided / pushed wheelchair participants must start to at the back of the race, and the device must meet UK Athletics requirements.

Unfortunately no wheeled devices are permitted in the Team Relay event for Health and Safety Reasons.

Can my assistant/guide to run with me?

If running with a guide/assistant, please contact the marathon office. A carer, guide or any other runner in a support role is eligible for one complimentary entry. You MUST contact the marathon office prior to registration or you will not be able to take part.

Can I run with headphones?

In ear headphones are not permitted. Bone conducting headphones such as Aftershokz are allowed.

Please see the Athletics Northern Ireland rule on in-ear or over the ear headphones as of 1st January 2018.

Do I need to complete the event in a given time?

Yes participants must complete the Marathon race or Team Relay within 6 hours, the 8 Mile Walk event within 2 hours and 30 minutes and the Half Marathon within 3 hours.

Each participant must only enter if they recognise that they make their best efforts in training for and completing the race in the allocated time limit. The organisers are required to open the roads as soon as possible.

There will be a tail vehicle to transport runners who are failing to keep with required pace. If you refuse to board the tail vehicle when asked the organiser will no longer accept liability for your welfare. At this point you are no longer part of the race.

Can I walk the 26.2 miles main marathon event?

Yes, but it must be completed in under 6 hours. Alternatively, there is an 8 Mile Walk event option.

Can I run the 8 Mile Walk event?

No, this is a walking event only with designated walk checkpoints. Anyone attempting to run this event may be disqualified on the day.

Can I cancel my entry?

Belfast City Marathon operates a strict no refund policy. If you decide to cancel your entry, you accept that all entry fees are non-refundable and may not be deferred towards a future event.

If you need to defer your place to the following year due to injury, you must send a medical certificate from your GP or Physio directly to the Marathon Office on info@belfastcitymarathon.org.

This must be done 2 weeks prior to Race Day for each Event for consideration by the Management Team.

The sale, swapping or bartering of a Belfast City Marathon or Half Marathon entry is strictly forbidden.

*Please note transfers and deferrals are only valid for 1 year

Will there be pacers at the Marathon and Half Marathon?

Yes, meet our pacers for both events HERE.

What happens if Belfast City Marathon cancels the event?

Belfast City Marathon may cancel the Event if circumstances beyond their control arise, including, without limitation, war, epidemic, civil or political unrest, terrorism or inclement weather conditions. In such circumstances we will contact you via email, mobile phone, text message, television and radio broadcast. You will receive a refund of the fee if it was you that paid it, unless you choose another option that the company offers (e.g. deferment or virtual). Refund of entry fees are only valid for 8 weeks after announcement of cancellation.

In the event of a cancellation of the Event/entry, Belfast City Marathon will have no responsibility for any costs incurred as a result of the cancellation which may include travel or accommodation costs.

Where can I find terms and conditions of entry?

When registering for any of the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon and Half Marathon events, terms and conditions are available to view and must be accepted by each participant before processing an entry. A copy of these terms and conditions can also be found HERE.

What is the difference between an Affiliated (registered) runner and non Affiliated (unregistered) runner?

If you hold a valid Athletics membership in the UK and Ireland, you are eligible for a discount and can register the Marathon or Half Marathon events as an Affiliated (registered) runner.

Is the marathon race AIMS certified?

The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon 26.2 miles course is AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Races) certified.

Competitors must start at the official start Line and complete the full officially measured course. Competitors must start the event at an officially sanctioned start time only.

When can I expect to receive my race pack/race number?

No packs will be posted for the 2024 events. An expo and pack collection will be hosted. Details are available at https://belfastcitymarathon.com/race-weekend/Expo-&-Pack-Collection

Where can I find my QR code for pack collection?

The QR code is sent in the initial sign up email. This will allow you to pack up your race pack on the given pack collection date(s).

Disqualification

Disqualification can be enforced upon the partaking of any of the following: urination in any area other than that of designated toilets on route, swapping numbers, deviation from run route, tampering with timing chip, refusing to obey the instructions of race officials, or who conducts themselves in unsportsmanlike manner, or who uses offensive actions or language to race officials, volunteers, participants, or spectators.

NI Finisher Prize

To qualify for the Northern Ireland Finisher Prize, the runner must qualify in one of the following ways:

1. Have been living in Northern Ireland for at least a year

OR

2. Have been born in Northern Ireland

When registering please clarify if you are eligible for NI prizes or contact info@belfastcitymarathon.org

Road closures

Full list of road closures for Belfast City Marathon 2024

Massey Avenue Belmont Road - Stormont Estate 06.00-10.30 Full closure

Upper Newtownards Road Comber Road junction - Beersbridge Road 06.00-10.30 Full closure

Beersbridge Road Upper Newtownards Road -Castlereagh Road 08.30-11.00 Full closure

Castlereagh Road Outer Ring - Beersbridge Road 08.30-11.00 Full closure

Montgomery Road All 08.30-11.00 Full closure

Cregagh Road Greenway - Ravenhill Avenue 08.30-11.30 Full closure

Woodstock Road Ravenhill Avenue - Albertbridge Road 08.30-11.30 Full closure

Albertbridge Road Woodstock Road - East Bridge Street 08.30-11.30 Lane closure city bound

Ravenhill Road Albertbridge Road - Ormeau Embankment 07.00-11.30 Full closure

Ravenhill Road Rosetta roundabout - Ormeau Embankment 09.00-16.30 Lane closure city bound

Ormeau Embankment All 06.00-16.30 Controlled local and event access will be maintained

Ormeau Road Rosetta roundabout - Ormeau Avenue 08.30-16.30 Lane closure country bound

Ormeau Road Ormeau Avenue - East Bridge Street 08.30-11.30 Full closure

Cromac Street All 08.30-11.30 Lane closure

Victoria Street May Street - Chichester Street 08.30-11.30 Lane closure

Chichester Street All 09.00-11.30 Full closure

Donegal Place All 09.00-11.30 Full closure

Castle Street All 09.00-11.30 Full closure

Queens Street All 09.00-11.30 Full closure

Wellington Place All 09.00-11.30 Full closure

May Street Cromac Street - Donegall Square South08.30-12.30 Full closure

Donegall Square South All 08.30-12.30 Full closure

Howard Street All 08.30-12.30 Full closure

Donegall Square North All 08.30-12.30 Full closure

Donegall Square WestAll 08.30-12.30 Full closure

Great Victoria Street Fisherwick Place - Bruce Street 08.30-12.30 Lane closure country bound

Great Victoria Street Bruce Street - Donegall Road 08.30-12.30 Full closure

Donegall Road All 09.00-12.00 Full closure

Donegall Road Entrance to City Hospital 09.00-12.00 Full closure

Glenmachan Street All 08.30-12.30 Full closure

Boucher Road Tates Avenue - Stockmans Lane 08.00-13.30 Full closure

Lislea Drive All 08.30-13.30 Full closure

Lisburn Road Lislea Drive - Kings Hall 09.30-13.30 Lane closure city bound

Lisburn Road Flyover 09.30-13.30 Full closure

Upper Lisburn Road Kings Hall - Finaghy Road North 09.30-13.30 Lane closure city bound

Finaghy Road North Upper Lisburn Road - Finaghy Park Central 09.30-13.30 Full closure

Finaghy Road North Finaghy Park Central -Andersonstown Road 09.30-13.30 Lane closure country bound

Andersonstown Road Finaghy Road North - Falls Road 09.30-14.00 Lane closure country bound

Falls Road Andersonstown Park - Glen Road 09.30-14.00 Lane closure country bound

Falls Road Glen Road - Broadway 09.30-14.00 Full closure

Falls Road Broadway - North Howard Street 09.30-14.00 Lane closure city bound

North Howard Street North Howard Street - Cupar way 07.00-14.15 Full closure

Cupar Way All 07.00-14.15 Full closure

North Howard Link All 07:00-14.15 Full closure

Northumberland Street All 09:30-14.15 Full closure

Shankill Road Millfield – Tennent Street 09.30-14.15 Full closure

Agnes Street All 09.30-14:30 Full closure

Crumlin Road Cliftonville Avenue - Hillview 09.30-14:30 Full closure- access to Mater Hospital maintained from Carlisle Circus

Oldpark Road Crumlin Road - Cliftonville Road 09.30-14:30 Lane closure city bound

Cliftonville Road Oldpark Road - Linden Gardens 09.30-14.30 Full closure

Antrim Road Cavehill Road - Duncairn Gardens 09.30-14.30 Full closure

Duncairn Gardens All 09.30-14.30 Full closure

North Queen Street Brougham Street - Carrick Hill 09.30-14.30 Full closure

Frederick Street All 09.30-14.30 Lane closure city bound

Great Patrick Street Great Patrick Street - Dunbar Link 09.30-14.30 Lane closure city bound

Dunbar Link All 09.30-14.30 Lane closure city bound

Waring Street All 09.30-14.30 Full closure

Albert Square All 09.30-14.30 Lane closure from Tomb Street

Victoria Street High Street - Waring Street 09.30-14.30 Lane closure

Donegall Quay All 09.30-15.00 Full closure

Bridge End Queens Quay - Queens Bridge 09.30-15.00 Full closure

Queens Bridge All 09.30-15.00 Full closure

Oxford Street All 09.30-15.00 Full closure

Lanyon Place All 09.30-15.30 Full closure

Mays Meadow All 09.30-15.30 Full closure

Sunnyside Street All 06.30-11.00 Full closure, Local Access maintained

Ravenhill Road Ravenhill Road - Rosetta roundabout 11.30-15.30 Local Access maintained