Protest Fails To Halt Belfast Marathon

Tributes have been paid to spectators, participants, volunteer marshals and motorists by the North's police for the success of yesterday's Belfast Marathon event - even though a protest by a prisoner support group hit a sour note - with supporters of dissident republican inmates gathering on the Falls Road. They held up placards as athletes ran by hoping to disrupt the action.

Runners gave their all anyway, with some taking a little longer than others, like these two pictured on the 'last leg' to the finish post, James Boyce from Carrigans and David Harper from Portstewart, under St John's Ambulance's watchful eye.

With little account taken of the protest, the organising committee Chairman Danny O'Connor praised the efforts of everyone involved saying the event had been a "tremendous success" in almost perfect conditions.

He said that the 29th annual marathon was a great success, with more runners taking part than ever before.

However, one runner - and the overall winner - had already put in a marathon effort as Urga Negewo almost failed to make it to the starting line on time after spending four times as long as the race itself wandering lost in Heathrow Airport on his way to the race.

Although he finished the race in a stunning 2hrs and 16mins to win his first ever marathon in Belfast on Bank Holiday Monday, the Ethiopian - who does not speak any English - only through the help of an airport security guard who speaks the same language that he made it.

With barely one-hour's sleep he flew into Belfast after an epic period 'lost' in the London airport, but was rewarded with his winning time.

(BMcC/GK)