
Belfast, United Kingdom · Sunday 21 June 2026
Held in Belfast, Northern Ireland, the Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon starts from Stormont Estate on Prince of Wales Avenue, placing runners at the heart of the city's political and cultural landscape. The setting combines urban infrastructure with access to the broader Belfast area, creating a race experience rooted in the region's character and community identity. The course itself is refreshingly straightforward for those who want to avoid constant elevation battles. Classified as trail running over a generally flat to gently rolling landscape, it offers runners a chance to find rhythm without the constant demands of serious climbing. The modest elevation changes, ranging between sea level and just under 60 metres, mean that what hills do appear won't derail your race plan if you've trained sensibly. This is the kind of course that rewards steady pacing and consistency over dramatic tactical gambits, making it ideal if you're after an honest day out rather than a battle against the terrain.
Adjusted Time
4:31:49
Time difference: +31.8 minutes compared to a flat, road, temperate course.
Moy Park Belfast City Marathon is a full marathon held in Belfast, United Kingdom, scheduled for Sunday 21 June 2026. The course is run on trail surface with 126m of total elevation gain, reaching a maximum altitude of 58m above sea level. For registration and full race details, visit the official Moy Park Belfast City Marathon website.
With 126m of elevation gain, this is a moderately undulating course. The route ranges from 0m to 58m above sea level (58m total range). While not completely flat, the elevation changes are manageable for most runners and shouldn't significantly impact pacing strategy.
Based on historical weather data for June, the expected race day conditions are as follows. Near-ideal running temperatures are expected, ranging from 10°C to 12°C. This temperature range is widely considered optimal for marathon performance, allowing efficient heat dissipation without cold-related issues. There is a high chance of rain (58%). Runners should prepare for wet conditions, including appropriate footwear and clothing choices.
Moy Park Belfast City Marathon is a trail race, meaning the course includes unpaved surfaces such as dirt, gravel, or forest paths. Trail surfaces are inherently slower than road courses due to uneven footing, technical sections, and often steeper gradients. Trail-specific shoes with good grip are recommended, and runners should expect a finish time 10-20% slower than their equivalent road marathon time.
Our difficulty rating for Moy Park Belfast City Marathon is calculated using a model that combines elevation gain, temperature impact, and surface type. Use the difficulty calculator above to enter your target finish time and see exactly how many minutes this course would add or subtract compared to a perfectly flat, cool, road-based marathon. Faster runners and slower runners are affected differently by the same course conditions, so the difficulty is personalised to your pace.
Looking for an easier marathon or a tougher challenge? You can also compare Moy Park Belfast City Marathon against other marathons to find the right race for your goals.
London, United Kingdom
Blackpool, United Kingdom
Stratford-upon-Avon, United Kingdom
Fort Augustus, United Kingdom
Cambridge, United Kingdom
Southampton, United Kingdom