Belfast City Marathon: Traffic Update

The 26.2 mile route covers most of the city

Author: Emma DicksonPublished 1st Oct 2021

Northern Ireland's largest mass participation sporting event since the pandemic began kicks off this Sunday!

Over 5,700 people will take part in the Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon, racing in the main event team relay, 5km fun run or eight-mile walk.

The event was cancelled last year as a result of the pandemic and delayed a number of times this year due to restrictions. So this weekend's 39th Belfast marathon will be a welcome milestone moment for those involved.

2019: (L-R) 2nd place Eoin Hughes place 1st place Gideon Kipsang Kimosop, and 3rd place John Black

Runners will set off from Prince of Wales Avenue on the Stormont Estate at 9am on Sunday 3rd October. 26.2miles later, the finishing line is in Ormeau Park.

There will road/traffic disruption across the city throughout the morning and early afternoon.

2019: Ladies winners, 2nd place Gladys Ganiel, 1st place Anne-Marie Muldoon and 3rd place Joanne McCandless

Roads will be closed in order to accommodate runners from 6am until 4:30pm and drivers should prepare for potential delays.

There will be diversion signs in place and marathon stewards and staff will be available for advice.

Road Closures & Times 👇

  • The area around Stormont and Upper Newtownards Road will be closed between approx 6am and 10.30am
  • Ravenhill Road (Albertbridge Road to Ormeau Embankment) will be closed from 7am to 11.30am
  • Chichester Street, Wellington Place, May Street, Donegall Square and Howard Street areas will be closed in the city centre between 8.30am and 12.30pm
  • Boucher Road (Tates Avenue to Stockmans Lane) will be closed between 8am and 1.30pm
  • Parts of the Andersonstown Road and Falls Road will be closed from 9.30am to 2pm
  • Lanark Way, Crumlin Road and Antrim Road will be closed from approx 9.30am to 3pm
  • Donegall Quay onto Oxford Street and Lanyon Place will be closed from 9.30am to 3pm

Find more info on road closures and estimated opening times HERE

Read more:

Deep RiverRock Belfast City Marathon: The do's & don'ts

What will the weather be like for the Belfast City Marathon 2021?

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.