Record numbers for Belfast Marathon

Joseph Riri takes the tape in the Belfast Marathon

The 20th annual Belfast City Marathon has attracted a record number of participants, with a Kenyan runner taking first place.

More than 6,000 people registered to take part in the event, despite initial worries over the foot-and-mouth crisis.

The numbers were up by at least 1,000 on last year.

As well as those running or walking the 26 miles, there were hundreds of relay teams taking part, mostly for charity.

A separate fun run also took place to raise money for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for children.

Event administrator Cormac McCann said the fun run was expected to raise between £20,000 and £30,000.

He added: "If last year was anything to go by, we recorded 15 other charities who, between them, also raised about £50,000 from the marathon.

"So there are a lot of people out there, making a lot of effort, but it's going to be of real benefit to the charities within Northern Ireland."

The participants in the main marathon set off from Maysfield Leisure Centre about midday.

Charities will benefit from the race

The winner was Kenyan Joseph Riri in a time of two hours, 25 minute and 58 seconds.

It was the 27-year-old's third visit to Belfast but his first marathon, so he was a relatively unknown quantity.

In second place was Wilson Cheriuyot, also from Kenya who was last year's winner.

And in third place was Gary Crossan from Letterkenny, County Donegal.

The best local athlete was north Belfast man Alan McCullough, the brother of boxer Wayne McCullough, who came fourth.

Lancashire runner Deborah Curley won the women's race in a time of two hours, 56 minutes and two seconds. She picks up £750.

The men's winner picks up £2000 with £1000 and £500 going to the second and third placed.