Thousands run in marathon

About 1,300 runners were attempting to go the full distance

More than 10,000 people have taken part in the annual Belfast City Marathon.

About 1,300 runners were attempting to go the full distance amid damp conditions in Monday's event.

International athletes joined local runners hoping to complete the gruelling course in the 23rd year of the event which covers 26.2 miles.

Kenyan runner Peter Edukan won the men's race in a time of two hours, 23 minutes and 51 seconds.

Mr Edukan said he was delighted with the win.

"It is my first time running a marathon, and I have enjoyed it very much," he said.

"We don't have rain like this back home."

In the women's event, Julia Myatt, from Newcastle in England came first with a time of two hours and 52 minutes.

Daryl Erwin from Ballymena won the wheelchair race.

The action got under way at 0930 BST and a number of roads throughout Belfast were closed at different times as the marathon was passing.

The four-mile Fun Run, in aid of Macmillan Cancer Relief Northern Ireland, started at 1000 BST.

Enthusiasm

Chief Constable Hugh Orde and champion jockey Richard Dunwoody were among those competing.

Dunwoody, who recently completed the London Marathon, said he knew it would not be easy.

"At least it will be a great way of seeing Belfast today. Certainly, I will have seen places I have never seen before."

Belfast Lord Mayor Martin Morgan, who was also taking part, praised the enthusiasm of the competitors and those who turned out to support the event.

He said: "For all of us in Belfast, it's the highlight of the May Day weekend.

"We had BBC Music Live with 20,000 people in the city centre a couple of days ago.

"Now we have the marathon. It's supported so well across the community in the city, and the runners come back time after time.

"I met a man today who said this is his 20th Belfast marathon."