Belfast City Marathon 2026: A Day of Triumph and Emotion
The 44th Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in the event's 44-year history on Sunday, 3 May 2026, as nearly 24,000 participants took to the streets of Belfast in a spectacular celebration of endurance and community. Ethiopian Abay Alemu claimed the men's title by a single second in a breathless sprint finish, while Aziza Alaoui Selsouli of Morocco finally secured the women's crown she had twice been denied, setting a personal best in the process. From Stormont Estate to Ormeau Park, Belfast was alive with the sound of cheering crowds and the sight of runners pushing themselves to their limits.
Background
The Belfast City Marathon has been a cornerstone of Northern Ireland's sporting calendar since its inaugural running on May Day 1982, when just over 3,000 participants lined up at the start. In the four decades since, it has grown into the largest mass-participation sporting event in Northern Ireland, attracting elite athletes from across the globe alongside thousands of club runners, charity fundraisers, and first-timers. The event was held without interruption until the COVID-19 pandemic forced a cancellation in 2020, but it has returned stronger than ever in the years since.
Phoenix Energy became the title sponsor of the event in October 2025, a partnership built on shared values of community and positivity. The sponsorship covers not just the full marathon but the half marathon, Women's 10K, and Festive 5K Fun Run — a suite of events that together make Belfast one of the most active running cities in the UK and Ireland. The course record for men stands at 2:13:37, set by Ethiopia's Tilahun Nigussie in 2025, while the women's record of 2:35:03 was set by Kenya's Beatrice Jepkemei in 2024.
This year's event drew an elite field capable of challenging those marks, and while no records fell on the day, the racing was of the highest quality — particularly in a men's race that went down to the wire in a manner rarely seen at road marathons.
Key Developments
The men's race was a masterclass in tactical running that ended in extraordinary fashion. Abay Alemu and his fellow Ethiopian Teadese Mamo ran shoulder to shoulder through the final miles before Alemu found just enough in the tank to cross the line in 2:16:23 — one second ahead of Mamo's 2:16:24. Abera Ketema completed an Ethiopian clean sweep of the podium with a time of 2:17:38. The women's race was a more commanding victory for Selsouli, who finished in 2:38:00 — a personal best and her first win in Belfast after two previous runner-up finishes. Judith Storm of City of Derry Spartans was the first local woman home in a superb 2:39:09, with Melissah Gibson of Ealing Eagles third in 2:42:44.
In the wheelchair race, Jayne Bleakley from Aghadowey made it back-to-back titles, defending her crown in 2:32:39 despite reporting "major technical difficulties" during the race — a victory that drew particular admiration from the crowd. The team relay and fun run categories added to the festive atmosphere, with participants of all ages and abilities completing their own personal challenges across the course.
Why It Matters
The Belfast City Marathon is more than a race — it is an annual affirmation of what this city is capable of when it comes together. In a sporting landscape often dominated by football and GAA, the marathon offers something different: a genuinely inclusive event where an elite Ethiopian athlete and a first-time charity runner share the same road, the same cheering crowds, and the same finish line. The event raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities each year through its Give2You fundraising platform, making it one of the most significant charitable fundraising occasions in the Northern Ireland calendar. That 24,000 people chose to spend their Sunday running 26.2 miles through Belfast is a testament to the city's extraordinary running culture and community spirit.
Local Impact
For Belfast, the marathon is a source of genuine civic pride. The route through the city's streets — past City Hall, through residential neighbourhoods, and on to the finish at Ormeau Park — transforms the city into a living sporting arena for a day. Local clubs like City of Derry Spartans, whose Judith Storm finished second in the women's race, demonstrate the depth of running talent across Northern Ireland. The event also provides a significant economic boost to the city, with thousands of visiting runners and supporters filling hotels, restaurants, and shops. The FTD Brothers' participation in this year's event, running the Belfast leg of their 33-marathon Irish challenge, added an extra layer of emotional resonance to an already moving occasion.
What's Next
With the 2026 edition in the books, attention will quickly turn to next year's 45th anniversary marathon — a milestone that organisers are expected to mark with special celebrations. For the elite athletes, the Belfast result will feed into their preparations for the major autumn marathons in Berlin, Chicago, and New York. For the thousands of club runners and charity fundraisers who crossed the finish line on Sunday, the achievement is its own reward. Belfast's marathon will return in May 2027, and if this year's edition is anything to go by, it will be bigger and better than ever. Sources: Belfast Live — Belfast City Marathon Results 2026; BBC News — Belfast City Marathon 2026.
