With more than 22,000 participants signed up, the event promises to be one of the city’s largest yet, drawing athletes of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.

The 26.2-mile route kicks off at 09:00 BST from the Stormont Estate and winds through iconic landmarks including City Hall, Parliament Buildings, the Falls Road, and the Shankill Road, before finishing in Ormeau Park. Notable changes to this year’s course include minor alterations near City Hall and the Falls Road area to streamline the flow of the race.

Race day features 6,500 full marathon runners, 2,750 relay teams, and 1,200 walkers. Relay participants will swap batons at five changeover points throughout the city, with distances ranging from 4.2 to 6.8 miles.

To accommodate the event, numerous roads across Belfast will be temporarily closed on a staggered basis, with the final section at Ravenhill Road reopening at 16:00. Public transport will be disrupted, though early morning trains from key cities including Londonderry, Larne, and Newry will provide access to Belfast.

Marathon organisers have reminded participants that in-ear headphones are prohibited, while bone-conducting headphones are permitted. Strict rules apply, with possible disqualification for unsportsmanlike conduct, swapping numbers, or urinating outside designated toilets.

Race packs can be collected from the ICC Riverside entrance at the Waterfront Hall on Friday and Saturday. A pre-race event featuring Q&As and expert talks will also take place at the venue.

With dry weather and sunny spells forecast, the 2025 Belfast City Marathon is set to be a vibrant celebration of fitness, community, and city pride—broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, Radio Ulster, and the BBC Sport website.