Predict your Belfast City Marathon finish time from a recent race, with the course climb already built in. Then use the course notes below to plan your pacing and fuelling.
Use a recent all-out race on a fairly flat course in mild weather.
Filled in with the typical weather for the race month. Change it to the forecast closer to race day.
Before we send your report: your gels
Check the label on the gel you train with. We use this to build your gel-by-gel race timeline. Already training your gut to take more carbs? Set your own hourly target.
Get your full race report by email: your pacing plan split by split, carbohydrate, fluid and sodium per hour for this finish time, a gel-by-gel race timeline, and course notes.
Figures from the 2024 course track. Routes can change from year to year, so check the official race website before race day.
42.2 km through Belfast.
About 172 m of climbing and 194 m of descent. Slightly net downhill overall.
Highest point about 60 m, around km 29. Several sections are close to sea level.
We don’t have reliable race-day weather for Belfast yet. Enter your forecast in the predictor for a weather adjustment.
Based on the 2024 course track, kilometre by kilometre:
Pacing. Belfast’s key moment is the climb around km 27–30. Run the first 25 km at an effort that leaves something in reserve, take the climb by effort rather than pace, and use the descent after km 30 to get back on target. The predictor adds time for the climbs and gives some back on the descents.
Fuelling. Most marathon runners aim for 60–75 g of carbohydrate per hour, and more if they have practised it in training. Taking a gel before the km 27 climb can help. The predictor’s emailed report and the fuelling calculator give you a gel timeline by kilometre.
In person at the Endurance Lab studio in Dún Laoghaire.
A 60-minute sports massage a few days before the race to loosen tight legs without leaving them heavy. €60. Book a sports massage →
Book it now for the week after the race, once the worst of the soreness has eased. €60. Book a sports massage →
Turn the prediction into a race. Pick the support that fits your build-up.
A plan built around you and your race, adjusted week by week by your coach. See running coaching →
A VO2max or lactate test in the lab gives you heart-rate and pace zones based on your own physiology. VO2max test → Lactate test →
5K, 10K and half marathon plans on the Endurance Lab 7-zone method. One plan, one purchase. See the plans →
Carbohydrate, fluid and sodium targets for race day, with a gel timeline. Plan your fuelling →
More race guides. Ireland: Dublin Marathon · Dublin Half Marathon · Cork City Marathon. Portugal: Lisbon Marathon · Funchal Marathon.
More free tools: Race time predictor · Zone calculator · All free tools
