Belfast City Marathon 2023: where to watch the race and when will the roads be closed

Along with runners taking part in the main marathon race, competitors will also be pounding the streets in the team relay and 8-mile walk.

A significant number of spectators are expected to line the route and road users are warned of disruption throughout the duration of the race.

John Allen, chairman of the Belfast City Marathon organising committee, wished all those taking part “the very best of luck”.

"We appreciate the impact and inconvenience of traffic disruption on race day, but ask 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,” he added.

What is the marathon route?

The 26.2 mile marathon route runs through all four areas of Belfast - north, south, east and west -starting at Stormont Estate and finishing in Ormeau Park.

The route is mainly the same as the 2022 ‘running’, with revisions in Belfast city centre and in north Belfast. Runners will now take a right off Chichester Street onto Donegal Place, left onto Castle Street, left onto Queens Street and right onto Wellington Place. Runners will also now turn left off Falls Road onto North Howard Street, right onto North Howard Link, left onto Northumberland Street, through the crossroads onto Agnes Street, left onto Crumlin Road and right onto Oldpark Road.

For more details go to belfastcitymarathon.com

Which roads are affected and when will they close?

A PSNI spokesperson said roads will start to close wholly or partially from around 6am and will fully reopen by 4.30pm.

"On Sunday afternoon there will also be a series of parades in Belfast which will impact on traffic volume.

“Motorists are asked to check their routes before travelling and allow plenty of time for journeys across the city throughout the day.”

The area around Stormont and Upper Newtownards Road will be closed to through traffic between approximately 6am – 10.30am, as the runners make their way towards Beersbridge, Castlereagh and Montgomery Road areas.

A full road closure will then be in place on the Ravenhill Road (Albertbridge Road to Ormeau Embankment) from 7am – 11.30am.

Some disruption can be expected in the city centre approximately between 8.30am – 12.30pm with full road closures in place on Chichester Street, Wellington Place, May Street, Donegall Square and Howard Street areas.

Some further disruption can be expected on the Boucher Road (Tates Avenue to Stockmans Lane) with a full road closure between 8am – 1.30pm approximately, as runners make their way onto Lislea Drive and Lisburn Road, marking their marathon halfway point.

Another point where disruption can be expected is in the Andersonstown Road and Falls Road areas with lane closures and full road closures in place from approximately 9.30am – 2pm.

Full road closures will be in place at approximately 9.30am – 3pm from North Howard Street, North Howard Link, Northumberland Street and Agnes Street.

Full road closures will also be in place from approximately 9:30am – 3pm in Antrim Road areas with a Team Relay changeover point taking place on North Queen Street.

Some disruption again in the city centre as runners take on the final stretch of the marathon from Donegall Quay onto Oxford Street and Lanyon Place (full road closure 9.30am – 3pm). Runners will make their way up Ormeau Road to the Rosetta Roundabout and complete their journey down Ravenhill Road, onto Ormeau Embankment for the finish at the Ozone Tennis Centre, Ormeau Park.

Full details of the route, roads affected and predicted time of closures, and projected participant times can be found at belfastcitymarathon.com/race-weekend/Road-Closures