What will the weather be like for the Belfast City Marathon 2023?
Do you know someone running this weekend? 👟
Last updated 28th Apr 2023
The Cool FM and Downtown teams can't wait to take part in Sunday's Mash Direct Belfast City Marathon.
Thousands of participants have been training for months and years in preparation for the 26.2m route across Belfast.
The race will start at Stormont at 9am and finish in Ormeau Park. It will follow the same route as the Wheelchair Race and the Team Relay Event.
The Belfast event is renowned for the incredible local support and crowds to cheer you on throughout your 26.2 miles!
Here's hoping the weather doesn't cause havoc for anyone. Take a look at this weekend’s weather forecast...
Saturday: A cloudy morning with some showery rain gradually clearing. Sunny spells in the afternoon, but heavy slow moving showers also breaking out with some hail and thunder possible. Maximum temperature 18 °C
Sunday : Light rain is expected from 11am with gentle breezes throughout the day
Monday: Cloudy with a few lighter showers on Monday. Cloudy but dry Tuesday. Mostly light winds
We asked some of our listeners who have previously taken part, to share some helpful advice for those running on Sunday.
Check it out 👇
Don’t stress about your time
It's easy to pick goals and then try to beat them as you count down each mile, but your body will let you know whether it's gone off too fast or if it's got some spare energy in the tank.
Don’t panic if you need to walk!
Give yourself time to recharge and hydrate. Take in the atmosphere, breathe and then when you feel up to it, start jogging again.
Don’t wear new shoes
Guaranteed some beginners will rock up with sparkly new trainers, looking the real deal. When mile 8 kicks in…they'll not be looking so fresh. Best to stick with the shoes you've worn to train in, they've gotten you this far.
Don’t forget to wear Vaseline
Trust us, you don't want 'runners nipple' – carrying a tiny tin of Vaseline can help prevent chafing in those delicate areas as you run.
Do Pace Yourself
The energy and atmosphere on the day with everyone cheering can be overwhelming. You know your body, so stick to your game plan – slow and steady wins the race!
Do fuel up!
As the saying goes, you are what you eat. So you must make sure you're eating healthy and fuel-efficient foods in the build-up to the race. Food you should avoid are cheese, spices, high-fibre fruits and caffeine in large amounts.
Do Hydrate Properly
Drinking water in the days leading up to the event is important to get your body fully hydrated. Our top tip is to drink little and often, don't go downing pints on Sunday morning. You'll be racing to the toilet, rather than the starting line.
There's nothing like some of your favourite tunes to get you totally pumped up before and during your marathon. We're talking the hottest dance tracks that will motivate and inspire you across the line – that's Cool Marathon Mix. You can listen via the app and online!
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