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Thousands of people are taking part in the 43rd Belfast City Marathon on Sunday.
The 26.2 mile route will take participants across the city, past landmarks including City Hall and Parliament Buildings, before finishing in Ormeau Park.
There will be numerous roads closed and changes to public transport for much of Sunday as the run progresses through Belfast.
Organisers say 6,500 full marathon runners have signed up, as well as 2,750 relay teams (which have between two and five people in them), with a further 1200 walkers.
Chairman John Allen said the marathon team was "delighted to welcome over 22,000 participants of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds".
Some are running it professionally, while others are running or walking for charity.
What date is the Belfast marathon?
The race is on Sunday 4 May and kicks off at 09:00 BST at Stormont estate.
Participants start in the Stormont Estate on Prince of Wales Avenue, and run down the hill, on to the Upper Newtownards Road.
Is there going to be extra public transport?
To help people going to the marathon there will be special early morning trains from Londonderry, Larne, Bangor, and Newry to Belfast Lanyon Place.
For a list of all special departure times click here.
These additional services cannot be booked in advance and standard fares will apply.
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.
What is the marathon route?
The course takes in all parts of the city, starting off in Stormont in east Belfast and heads south, taking in the Boucher Road, west, taking in the Falls Road, then north, past the Waterworks, as well as through the city centre, before ending in Ormeau Park.
So if you're in Belfast, wherever you are based, you'll never be too far away from the action.
There are some slight changes to the route in 2025 compared to previous years.
The route has minor alterations at the City Hall, this year remaining on Chichester Street, directly onto Wellington Place before turning left onto Fisherwick Place and continuing on the route.
A further change takes place on the Falls Road, turning left onto North Howard Street, left onto Cupar Way, right onto Lanark Way, right onto the Shankill Road, left onto Tennent Street, across the Crumlin Road onto Hillview Road and left onto the Oldpark Road and continuing the route.
What are the relay changeover points?
The Team Relay consists of five legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route.
LEG 1: Stormont Estate – Montgomery Road, 4.2 miles
LEG 2: Montgomery Road – Boucher Road, 6.8 miles
LEG 3: Boucher Road – Falls Road, 4.5 miles
LEG 4: Falls Road – North Queen Street, 5 miles
LEG 5: Duncairn Gardens – Ormeau Park 5.7 miles
What roads are closed?
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 the Upper Newtownards Road closing at the Comber Road junction from about 06:00 until 11:00.
Roads along the route will open and close on a staggered basis as runners pass.
Organisers say roads will reopen as quickly as possible one runners pass key routes.
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.
"These traffic management measures are set up to prioritise safety for participants and road users," said Chairman John Allen.
I'm running in the marathon – when can I pick up my pack?
If you've taken part in the marathon before then where you pick up your pack has changed.
Participants now get their race packs at the ICC Riverside entrance of the Waterfront Hall in Belfast, instead of the old location on the Queens Road.
These can be collected any time between 09:00 -17:00 on Friday and Saturday.
Belfast Marathon Chief Executive Claire O'Neill said organisers had planned lots of events at the ICC to get runners ready for the big day.
"There will be a quiet time between 15.30 and 17:00 on Friday, a live stage on the Saturday, with Q&A sessions as well as our route measurer John Glover, coaches and pacers," she told BBC Talkback.
She added that participants should check their emails for any additional details or updates.
What are the rules?
Entrants can walk the main event, but runners cannot be part of the eight-mile walk event.
Participants are 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.
In-ear headphones are not permitted but bone-conducting headphones are allowed.
Participants can be disqualified for:
- Urination in any area other than that of designated toilets on the route
- Swapping numbers
- Deviation from run route
- Tampering with timing chip
- Refusing to obey the instructions of race officials
- Unsportsmanlike conduct
- Offensive actions or language to race officials, volunteers, participants or spectators
Can I watch the marathon from the comfort of my living room?
You can watch live coverage of the race on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC NI Sport website or listen on Radio Ulster from 08:45 BST on Sunday.
Mark Simpson and Nicola McCarthy will present live coverage from around the course.
There will also be updates here on the BBC News NI website.
If you would like to have your good luck message to friends and family included in the TV and radio coverage you can click here to add a message of support.
What will the weather be like on the day of the marathon?
Things are looking good for our runners.
Conditions are to be dry, with sunny spells, winds will not be too strong, with temperatures between 8C and 11C at the time of the race.
Good luck
To everyone competing – whether professionally, for a cause close to your heart, or just for fun, good luck!
#Belfast #Marathon
