AN Irish Olympic athlete yesterday won the Belfast City Marathon as thousands competed in the race as it returned to its usual May Day bank holiday weekend for the first time in three years.
Co Down athlete Paul Pollock (35) was crowned the winner after crossing the finish line in a time of two hours, 16 minutes and 13 seconds, while north Belfast's Gladys Ganiel won the women's race.
But Mr Pollock's celebrations were put on hold as he sped away to be with his partner Sophie who is expecting their second child.
With the baby due on Saturday past, the Holywood doctor yesterday said he had been "nervous about whether I'd make the start line".
A late entry after dropping out of the Rotterdam Marathon due to injury, he added that he would be "on driving duty" while they awaited the newborn's arrival with the double celebrations on hold until after the birth.
He finished eight minutes and 44 seconds ahead of second-placed Conor Gallagher from St Malachy's in Belfast.
University lecturer, Ms Ganiel, won the women's race ahead of St Peter's Lurgan athlete Gillian McCrory.
Thousands of runners pounded the streets of the city as the race started at Prince of Wales Avenue at the Stormont Estate, with competitors taking in the 26.2 miles across east, north, west and south Belfast, before finishing in Ormeau Park.
A relay and wheelchair race also followed the same route as the marathon, while an eight mile walk also took place.
The event, now in its 40th year, had been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic, but returned last October.
The Covid-19 crisis also meant this was the first year the race was held on the Sunday, moving from its traditional date of the May Day bank holiday.
The decision to change days was made in 2019 following a request from the Belfast Chamber of Trade and Commerce, which said the first May bank holiday should be a significant trading day.
It also said a Sunday event would boost visitor numbers to the city although public transport was affected on some routes in the morning.
