The 43rd Belfast City Marathon record has been broken by Tilahun Nigussie as thousands of runners take part in the 26.2-mile course.

The Ethiopian won the marathon with a new event record of 2:13:37.

Kenya’s Millicent Kibet took victory in the women’s race in 2:38.30 while Jayne Bleakley won the wheelchair race in 2:29:28 in her first marathon.

Record numbers have taken part this year – organisers say 6,500 full marathon runners signed up along with 2,750 relay teams (which have between two and five people in them) and 1,200 walkers.

The race started at Stormont at 09:00 BST and finishes in Ormeau Park.

A number of roads are closed and there are changes to public transport.

The course starts in Stormont in east Belfast and heads south, taking in the Boucher Road, west on to the Falls Road, then north, past the Waterworks, as well as through the city centre, before ending in Ormeau Park.

The relay consists of five legs, of varying distance, with changeover points across the route.

There are some slight changes to the route in 2025 compared to previous years.

Last year, Kenyans Mathew Kiplimo Kembo and Beatrice Jepkemei won the men’s and women’s races respectively.

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

Among those taking part in the marathon is Elaine Mac Anulty, who is running her part in the relay team dressed as Minnie Mouse.

“It’s a good day out,” she said.

“Every year we pick a different theme… Everybody wants to high five Mickey and Minnie.”

Michael Walker has not run in a decade, but is picking back up the running shoes for a cause close to his heart.

“I’m running for the charity Angel Eyes who helped my son,” he told BBC News NI.

“It’s been hard back training and it’s been a culture shock.”

For others, Sunday will be their first time taking part in a marathon.

Ciara McEvoy is a part of a relay team for a special needs school.

“It’s brought the whole community together. We’ve been training at lunchtime,” she added.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna is also among those running the marathon.

She had been planning for months to run the marathon but did not make it public until close to race day, as she was not sure whether she had prepared enough.

Posting on Instagram, she showed a picture of her race number and running top and said running had become a big part of her life.

More on the winners can be found here.

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 roads along the route opening and closing on a staggered basis as runners pass.

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.

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.