Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
All Assembled for marathon
KEEP COOL New route will start at Stormont & plan includes every area of city GORSE FIRE
THE new Belfast City Marathon route will see the iconic race set off from Stormont, plans show.
Details emerged on Wednesday night after councillors agreed to change the course as well as moving the event to a Sunday.
Two routes have been put forward but it is understood the Proposal 1 option is preferred and, if it passes a consultation process, will see a range of new streets pounded in 2019.
Proposal 1 will see the starting pistol fired in the shadow of Edward Carson sending competitors off down the Upper Newtownards Road.
Chair of the City Growth and Regeneration Committee that passed the new plan, Donal Lyons, said he was delighted by the agreement.
The SDLP cllr added: “The route has changed quite a bit and spans all parts of the city. Starting in Stormont it will sweep through the city to the Ormeau Road, curve south to include the Lisburn Road and Finaghy.
“It then heads up to Andersonstown Road, onto the Falls and across the Shankill to the Crumlin Road before heading back to the city centre. Ultimately the marathon will end as before in Ormeau Park and I have no doubt the Ormeau area will continue to provide the festive atmosphere of previous years.”
Belfast City Marathon Ltd chairman David Seaton said they are “very excited about the proposed new route and move to a Sunday”.
The final stamp of approval is due to be given on Monday night at the full council meeting.