Residents and motorists are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and allow additional travel time
This Sunday the good people of Belfast will welcome thousands of participants to its streets for the 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon.
The 26.2-mile challenge will begin at Stormont Estate, travel through North, South, East and West of the city, and finish in Ormeau Park.
As a result, motorists can expect some disruption throughout the morning and early afternoon, although every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.
READ MORE: Belfast City Marathon 2026 road closures, route, transport, results, Expo details and more ahead of race dayREAD MORE: Belfast City Marathon Results 2026: Official finish times
Roads will begin to close wholly or partially from approximately 6am until 4pm. Once all runners have passed each point on the route, the reopening of roads will be managed as quickly and safely as possible.
The 2026 Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon route follows a similar format to previous years, with some adjustments across sections of the course. You can view a full list of closures here https://canva.link/bcmroadclosure26
The area around Stormont Estate and Upper Newtownards Road will be closed to through traffic between approximately 6am – 10:30am, as runners make their way through East Belfast including Beersbridge, Castlereagh and surrounding areas.
A full road closure will be in place on sections of the Ravenhill Road and Ormeau Embankment from approximately 7am – 12pm, as participants move towards South Belfast.
Some disruption can be expected in Belfast city centre between approximately 8:30am – 1pm, with full road closures in place across key routes including Chichester Street, Donegall Square, Wellington Place and surrounding streets.
Further disruption can be expected in South Belfast, particularly along the Boucher Road and Lisburn Road areas, with closures in place approximately 8am – 1:30pm, as runners pass the halfway stage of the marathon.
In West Belfast, areas including the Falls Road and Andersonstown Road will experience lane and full road closures from approximately 9:30am – 2pm.
Full road closures will also be in place from approximately 9:30am – 3pm in parts of North Belfast, including key routes such as the Antrim Road and surrounding areas, as well as relay changeover points.
As the race enters its final stages, some disruption can again be expected in the city centre and along the Ormeau Road from approximately 9:30am – 3pm, as well as being partially closed from 8.30am – 4.30pm between Rosetta Roundabout and Ormeau Avenue, as participants make their way towards the finish line in Ormeau Park.
Residents and motorists are encouraged to plan their journeys in advance and allow additional travel time where necessary.
Full details of all road closures, timings and projected participant times are available at Belfast City Marathon: Premier Running Events In NI | Belfast City Marathon
Official Belfast Marathon finish times and results will be available here as soon as runners cross the finish line.
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