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Tilahun Nigussie Sets New Course Record to Win Belfast Marathon

Posted : 04 May 2025

Ethiopia’s Tilahun Nigussie claimed victory at the Belfast Marathon, setting a new course record with a time of 2:13:37. The 26-year-old dominated the race from the outset and shaved four seconds off the previous record set by fellow Ethiopian Negewo Ararisa in 2012. Nigussie had a slight scare near the end when he briefly took a wrong turn, but he quickly recovered and sprinted to the finish, motivated by a cash bonus for breaking the record.

 

In the women’s race, Kenya’s Millicent Kibet secured first place with a time of 2:38:30, finishing 21 seconds ahead of Moroccan runner Lalla Aziza, who closed the gap in the latter stages. Previous winner and Northern Ireland native Gladys Ganiel, 48, rounded out the podium in third place, also securing the local title. Despite her win, Kibet’s time was over three minutes slower than the course record set last year by fellow Kenyan Beatrice Jepkemei.

 

Ireland’s Aaron Hanlon was the runner-up in the men’s event, clocking 2:27:06, while Stephen Connolly of Annadale Striders placed third in 2:29:30 and claimed the Northern Ireland title in his marathon debut. In the wheelchair division, Jayne Bleakley from Aghadowey made history as the first woman to complete the race, finishing in 2:28:27 at the age of 44. Diagnosed with encephalitis as a child, Bleakley’s achievement marked a milestone in her first-ever marathon appearance.

 

This year’s Belfast Marathon saw record participation, with 6,500 entrants in the full marathon, 2,750 relay teams, and 1,200 walkers. Nigussie, who boasts a personal best of 2:07:50, reached the halfway point in 1:08:40 before accelerating in the final stretch to break the long-standing course record. His commanding performance and resilience despite the brief misstep capped a memorable edition of the event.

 

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