Belfast Half Marathon favourites to win and essential information ahead of race day
With elite talent, packed fields and thousands of supporters expected along the route, the stage is set for one of Belfast’s most exciting race days yet
Belfast is set for a record-breaking day this Sunday as 7,500 runners take to the streets for the 2025 Moy Park Belfast City Half Marathon, the biggest event of its kind in Northern Ireland. The race gets underway at 9am from Ormeau Embankment and will showcase some of the island’s most celebrated athletes.
Among the favourites are previous winner, Anne Marie McGlynn and Gladys Ganiel, both renowned for their resilience and ability to keep competing at the highest level well into their 40s. McGlynn, won the race in 2023 and remains one of Ireland’s most decorated distance runners. Ganiel, a university lecturer, placed third in this year’s Moy Park Belfast City Marathon and continues to shine through careful race management and consistency.
The women’s field also features Sarah McNutt, 6th last year in 80:49 and 5th in this year’s Moy Park Belfast City Marathon; Caoimhe Nic Fhogartaigh, with a marathon PB of 2:47; Colette McCourt, 8th here in 2024; and Harriett Buswell from Sale Harriers, who boasts a half marathon best of 82:33.
In the men’s race, Stephen Connolly of Annadale Striders will attract plenty of attention after his claimed bronze at the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon earlier this year, where he ran 2:29:30 in testing conditions. He faces tough competition from Kyle Doherty (PB 67:30), Stephen McAuley (68:51), Adam Smyth (70:43) and John Black, who has previously ran the distance in 60 minutes.
With elite talent, packed fields and thousands of supporters expected along the route, the stage is set for one of Belfast’s most exciting race days yet.
In line with road closure legislation, motorists are asked to follow diversion signs and take direction from stewards on the route.
Roads will start to close wholly or partially from around 4am until approximately 3pm. Although once participants have passed points on the route, reopening of the roads will be managed as quickly as possible.
You can view an interactive road closure map here Belfast Half Marathon | events | www.belfastcitymarathon.com
To help people going to the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon on Sunday 21st September 2025, there will be additional services available on race morning. You can view the full list of times at 2025 Moy Park Belfast Half City Marathon | Special Events | Translink
Please note due to line closures between Derry/Londonderry and Coleraine a Double Decker bus will be in operation at 6am from Derry/Londonderry to Belfast
These additional services cannot be booked in advance and standard fares will apply.
For further updates, follow the Moy Park Belfast City Marathon on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
The Moy Park Belfast City Marathon and Half Marathon is sponsored by Moy Park, Northern Ireland Electricity Networks, Belfast Live, Daily Mirror, Cool FM, Downtown, Downtown Country, Translink, Better, Tayto, Belfast City Council, Deep RiverRock, Athletics NI, Charles Hurst, Linwoods Health Foods and Mac in a Sac. The designated charity partner is Air Ambulance NI.
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