Runner in 50s dies after Belfast Marathon effort

A runner collapsed during yesterday’s Belfast Marathon and later died.

The man, in his 50s, encountered difficulties at 9.55am, at around the sixth mile, near Victoria Park in East Belfast. He was taken to the Royal Victoria Hospital in West Belfast, but later died.

Around 17,000 people entered the 37th annual race, which was won by Eric Koech, from Kenya.

The Belfast City Marathon is one of the city’s showpiece events and attracts thousands of spectators and competitors.

In April, Matt Campbell, 29, a Masterchef finalist, collapsed at the London Marathon and later died.