The 43rd Belfast City Marathon begins with thousands of runners, aiming to complete the 26.2-mile route.

The match begins at 9:00 BST in Stormont and will end at Ormeau Park.

Record numbers competed this year - organisers said there were 6,500 complete marathon runners as well as 2,750 relay teams (2 to 5 of them) and 1,200 Pacers signed.

Many roads have been closed and public transportation has changed.

The route starts at Stormont in East Belfast, heads south to Boucher Road, west to Falls Road, then north, past Waterworks and through the city center, and ends at Ormeau Park.

The relay consists of five legs, with different distances, and there are conversion points on the entire route.

Compared with previous years, the route in 2025 has changed a bit.

Kenyans Mathew Kiplimo Kembo and Beatrice Jepkemei won men's and women's matches last year.

Chairman John Allen said the organization was “happy” to welcome participants of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna is racing a marathon.

She had planned to come to the marathon for several months, but it wasn't revealed until the day of the race because she wasn't sure if she was ready enough.

She posted on Instagram showing her race numbers and photos of her running and said Running has become a big part of her life.

DUP MLA Brian Kingston has participated in many marathons, including Boston, and he will also be held on Sunday.

A complete list of closing roads, you can click here when they reopen.

During the marathon there will be some disruption, with Upper Newtown Valles Road closed on Comber Road Junction until 11:00 BST.

With runners' passes, the roads along the route will be open and closed on a staggered basis.

The organizers say the road will be opened as soon as possible through the critical route.

The last road to reopen will be Ravenhill Road from the Rosetta roundabout to Ormeau embankment (maintaining local access), which closes at 09:00 and does not reopen until 16:00.

Marathon organizers ask the driver to follow the traffic transfer signs and take the direction from the butler.

"These traffic management measures are designed to determine the safety of participants and road users," said Chairman John Allen.

To help people compete in marathons from Londonderry, Lahn, Bangor and Newry to Belfast Lanney Square.

For a list of all special departure times, click here.

Public transportation around the city will be affected due to several road closures.

Ulsterbus, Metro and Glider Bus services within Belfast will be affected by delays or interruptions.