The streets of Belfast will shake to the beat of thousands of feet on Monday as the city marathon takes place once again.
Almost 3,000 of these will be competing in the main marathon, while 2,150 relay teams will also be taking part alongside 2,300 walkers and 1,300 fun runners. "Road racing is one of the fastest growing sports and this is evidenced by the absolutely huge interest in this year’s marathon,” said Danny O’Connor, chairman of the marathon organising committee. Entrants have come from over 20 countries to take part in the marathon including Kenya, Moldova, Ukraine, Cyprus, United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, United States, Hungary, Switzerland, Indonesia, Canada, Qatar, Netherlands and Iceland. Leading the entry list will be Kenyan John Mutai who will be aiming for a hat-trick of wins on May Day following his victories in the 2007 and 2008 Belfast Marathons. His main challenge will come from the Ukrainian Vyachesla Prikhadko who finished third last year, and fellow Kenyan Zak Kihara. The local field is headed by the veteran Alan McCullough, while the most experienced &mdash and most travelled &mdash entrant is Coleraine veteran Peter Ferris who is running his 319th marathon &mdash an Irish record.
Heading the female entries is 2006 winner Joyce Kandia who laid down her marker for 2009 with an impressive victory in the Titanic Quarter 10K warm-up race last month.