Run the Belfast City Marathon 2026 with FOA

Take on the Belfast City Marathon 2026 and raise money for Friends of Africa. Whether you want to run the full 26.2 miles or be part of one of our relay teams, this is your chance to challenge yourself and raise vital funds to support FOA’s work.

For the 2026 Belfast City Marathon, Friends of Africa has entered:

  • 5 full marathon places

  • 6 relay teams (with routes and distances listed below)

Full Marathon Places (26.2 miles)

Running a full marathon is a huge achievement and you won’t have to do it alone.

Each full marathon runner will be supported by their own dedicated relay team, with a new runner joining them at every leg to:

  • Keep spirits high on race day

  • Support training and fundraising efforts

  • Share the journey from start to finish

Your friends and family will already be cheering you onso why not let them be part of the day itself? If they want to support you in a more hands-on way, they can book a relay leg and run alongside you.

👉 Full marathon runners will be given first refusal on reserving relay legs for friends and family.

Costs & Fundraising – Full Marathon

  • Sign-up cost: £35 (subsidised by FOA)
    Includes:

    • Official marathon pack (t-shirt & medal)

    • Fundraising support

    • Full logistical and on-the-day support

    • Post-race celebrations: awards, food & a well-earned pint

    All the thinking and planning is done for you just show up and chase that PB.

  • Fundraising target: £1,000

We genuinely believe this is extremely achievable. From our experience, people are more than happy to donate when they know someone is taking on 26.2 miles for Friends of Africa.

Relay Teams

If a full marathon feels like too much, our relay teams are the perfect way to be part of the Belfast City Marathon while still making a huge impact.

Costs & Fundraising – Relay Runners

  • Sign-up cost: £25 (subsidised by FOA)
    Includes:

    • Official marathon pack (t-shirt & medal)

    • Fundraising support

    • Full logistical and on-the-day support

    • Post-race celebrations: awards, food & a pint

  • Individual fundraising target: £300

Just like full marathon runners, relay runners simply need to turn up, run their leg, and enjoy the day, we’ll take care of the rest.

Relay Legs & Distances

The relay route is split into the following legs:

  • Leg 1: Stormont Estate → Montgomery Road — 4.2 miles

  • Leg 2: Montgomery Road → Boucher Road — 6.8 miles

  • Leg 3: Boucher Road → Falls Road — 4.5 miles

  • Leg 4: Falls Road → Duncairn Gardens — 5 miles

  • Leg 5: Duncairn Gardens → Ormeau Park — 5.7 miles

Whether you prefer a shorter burst or a longer challenge, there’s a leg to suit you.

Support Every Step of the Way

Once you sign up, you’ll be added to a dedicated group chat, which will be the hub for:

  • Fundraising tips and support

  • Training updates

  • Team encouragement

  • A bit of friendly competition between teams

You’ll also receive a runner support pack, including:

  • A step-by-step guide to setting up your fundraising page

  • Practical fundraising ideas

  • Information about Friends of Africa and our work, so you can confidently tell others why you’re running

Sign up today!

Belfast City Marathon - Full
£35.00
Belfast City Marathon - Relay
£25.00

If you have any questions or hesitations, we’d love to chat them through with you.

📧 Contact us: info@friendsofafrica.org.uk