Running as part of a relay team, I had a great day! In fact, we all did.... I think the others are very harsh in criticizing but maybe it's just cause I'm new to all this!!! Everyone was great - that doesn't just include the organizers, but the fellow runners were really nice and helpful as well! With my earphones in and head down, I was still offered much support en route than I thought! Viewers were better than I thought, and people should never underestimate that effect it has on the runners! First time running a relay but now I want to do the whole race next year... well, try it anyway! Well done to all runners, especially those in the marathon!

I walked this marathon - my first one. Finished at 7 hours. The last 3 water stations had packed up. It took us through Belfast's roughest areas. There were hardly any crowds supporting you along the way. The timing clock had been packed away at the end. Expensive medal at £45!

I took part in the '07 Belfast Marathon Relay Walk, leaving from Gideon's Greenn, and doing the last 2 legs all the way to Ormeau Park. At no point in the walk did we see a water station that was still working!! Very poor, considering the sponsor!!!

I first ran this race in 2005 (the "suspect device" year). This didn't put me off. More so, I admired the organisers reaction to the crisis i finished in 2.56. (being one of the lucky ones who missed the diversion)
The following year 2006 was back to the old course I'm told and no complaints apart from walkers sharing the last few miles, I finished in 2:54 that year.
This year was an opportunity for a great success and they missed out on it. Granted they needed to separate the runners and Walkers at the finish in the park why not divert the walkers? WHY oh WHY add two loops to an already decent course? The second loop at around 24 miles was a nice half mile detour up an hill through a park!! .. I was 3 minutes faster through 20 miles this year, and despite running much more strongly in the last 6 miles ended up a mere 1.5 minutes faster at the end finishing in 2.52 ... I would really like to get that last 10k measured compared to the previous year.

I have been running 23 yrs and honestly would know if my slowing was so bad. That fact, Mile markers incorrectly placed (by up to 20 secs) and the results as clear as mud, no half way timing split and no intermediate chip timings .... For an International Marathon it was all very amateurish and the people who have trained long and hard really deserved better.

Like I said the only fault the previous year was the walkers sharing the last 4 miles apart from that everything was great ... This year it looked liked someone who actually knew what they were doing packed up and left and the resultant race was very disappointing in its lack of attention to detail.

There actually were two energy stations, but it was short at Gideon's Green just up from Rathcoole Estate Entrance; but they were only giving small plastic cups of Powerade and one at Maysfield. The walkers did create a problem, but they do add to the overall feel of the marathon. And the support for the 26.2 mile runners was fantastic. Thank you, Belfast - especially for the jelly babies!! My only gripes are the lack of energy stations. Please have more from around the 10 mile point. And stop people from being able to cross the runner's path on the last 600 meters of the course. And why were medals being thrown at weary runners by snappy young girls?!!

Overall there has been a great improvement in the organization of the Belfast Marathon, however I would like to raise the following points: -

1). Why were the Walkers allowed to mix with the Runners at the start?
This only frustrates Runners trying to pass them at the start.

2). Why was there only 1 Energy Station, when it clearly states on the course map there would be 2? There was no Energy Station at Gideon's Green for Marathon Runners.

3). Why was there no Water Station between Gideon's Green and the Fortwilliam Roundabout?

4). Why have the cobblestones been introduced at Corporation Sq when they have been done away with in the London Marathon?

I hope the points above will be taken into consideration and I must congratulate the Belfast City Council on making the Belfast Marathon Event Organizer a Full-Time Position.

I have run this race many times and think it is important to recognize a fantastic effort and great improvement this year compared to last year.

The course was very interesting, with all the hills in the first half, which meant negative splits for many.

The relay runners added to the atmosphere and this year were well controlled at the hand-over points.

The organization generally has improved, although my main gripe is that there needs to be segregation of runners from walkers at the new finish in Ormeau Park - I am sure this will be listened to by the organizers.

Also this year the mileage markers were clear and accurate and water stops were plentiful (although no sports drinks).

Despite the hills and a tough wind, I managed a PB (3:06), along with many others.

This was a well organized marathon; I enjoyed it very much. Great support from the volunteers, organizers and spectators. However, found the course a little bit too hilly. Furthermore, I would recommend for the next Belfast Marathon to barricade the last mile to the finish, in order to avoid people entering the course from all direction in front of the runners.

1. Walkers and fun-runners were mixed in with elite runners at the start, as there were no time band placings.
2. No sports drink stops - only plastic cups.
3. The marathon walk joins at the 20th mile on a narrow towpath, so you have to dodge in and out around walkers.
4. The finish is a mess. It finishes in a park with the public and the walkers wandering around the last mile. And there was no clear marshaling at this piont to tell you where to go.

A big, big improvement on last year's event. There was a great course that was well marshaled, plenty of water stations, and great support along the route. The relay was a success too. A great family day out - the children had a ball. I really enjoyed it and will be back next year.