Thousands took to the streets of the capital last Monday to run in the 30th annual Belfast City Marathon on a day of scorching temperatures and record crowds.

A total of 21,000 competitors took part in the race, including more than 12,000 relay runners, 2,500 walkers and 1,700 fun-runners. 

Matthew Nicolson, from Armagh, took part in the Belfast Marathon just two weeks after completing the 26 mile run in London. 

Speaking to the Ulster Gazette, Matthew said: "It was a cracking day, but maybe the weather was too good to be running that distance.  I believe the weather was in excess of 20 degrees. 

"However, there was a nice wind which helped cool you down." 

Matthew, who is responsible for the Run Armagh 10k, ran an impressive three hours and 52 minutes around the Belfast route. 

The Run Armagh 10K is a charity event organised to raise money for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young). 

"This fundraising is important for Northern Ireland," he said. 

"The money raised helps fund a screening clinic for sports people across the country. 

"We have raised roughly £40,000 over the last five or six years with this year's 10k event bringing in £6,000 which is absolutely fantastic. 

Of the 12,000 relay runners pounding the streets of the city there were 2,281 relay teams and a group of friends from Armagh finished 372nd on the day. 

The team consisted of Gareth Posnett, Adam Cooke, Dwaine Hutton, Chris Toal and Iain Latimer.  The team raised around £1,000 for the Chest, Heart and Stoke Association. 

Gareth, who got the group together, told the Gazette: "We just decided to get together and run the marathon as a team. It was the first time running a marathon for each of us.

"It was a brilliant day and the race went really well for us.  We finished in a good position. 

"We all really enjoyed the day and will definitely do the Belfast Marathon again next year.