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15,000 line up for city marathon City's 27th marathon under way
(about 2 hours later)
Almost 15,000 people will be taking to the streets of Belfast on Monday for the city's 27th marathon. Almost 15,000 people have taken to the streets of Belfast for the city's 27th annual marathon.
A combination of serious athletes and fun runners raising money for charity are participating in the annual event. A combination of serious athletes and fun runners raising money for charity are taking part in the event.
Almost 1,900 runners are taking part in the main marathon, including two defending champions - John Mutai of Kenya and Marashet Jumma of Ethiopia.Almost 1,900 runners are taking part in the main marathon, including two defending champions - John Mutai of Kenya and Marashet Jumma of Ethiopia.
The majority of entrants make up the 1,800 relay teams. Motorists are being warned of traffic disruption.The majority of entrants make up the 1,800 relay teams. Motorists are being warned of traffic disruption.
About 2,000 walkers are also taking part, while 1,500 people are due to compete in the fun run. About 2,000 walkers are also taking part, while 1,500 people are competing in the fun run.
Danny O'Connor, chairman of the event's organising committee said: "There is no doubt that the interest in the Belfast City Marathon continues to grow." Danny O'Connor, chairman of the event's organising committee, said: "There is no doubt that the interest in the Belfast City Marathon continues to grow."
Among the serious athletes, Kenya's Joyce Kandie is expected to challenge 2007 winner Jumma, while local man Tommy Hughes, men's winner in 1988 and 1998, is also taking part.Among the serious athletes, Kenya's Joyce Kandie is expected to challenge 2007 winner Jumma, while local man Tommy Hughes, men's winner in 1988 and 1998, is also taking part.
Prize moneyPrize money
Mutai won by six minutes last year and was impressive in Mumbai in January but Ethiopia's Tsegaye Tadesse should be a contender.Mutai won by six minutes last year and was impressive in Mumbai in January but Ethiopia's Tsegaye Tadesse should be a contender.
Other names who come into the reckoning are Finland's Jaakko Kero and Ukraine's Vyacheslav Prykhodko.Other names who come into the reckoning are Finland's Jaakko Kero and Ukraine's Vyacheslav Prykhodko.
Among the Northern Ireland challengers will be 48-year-old Hughes, Dungannon's Delfin Pimentel, Armagh's Turlough Donnelly and Sam Crawford of East Antrim.Among the Northern Ireland challengers will be 48-year-old Hughes, Dungannon's Delfin Pimentel, Armagh's Turlough Donnelly and Sam Crawford of East Antrim.
The women's race is expected to be keenly fought and Jumma and Kandie may set a pace capable of breaking Lemma Urge's 2005 course record of 2:41.33.The women's race is expected to be keenly fought and Jumma and Kandie may set a pace capable of breaking Lemma Urge's 2005 course record of 2:41.33.
This would attract a bonus of £1,000 in addition to the first prize of £3,000.This would attract a bonus of £1,000 in addition to the first prize of £3,000.