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Boston 'hero' runner hopes he won't be 'villain' in Belfast race

Mark SimpsonCommunity correspondent, BBC News NI
News imageReuters Three marathon runners move along a finish line with their arms linked over each other’s shoulders. Each runner wears a race bib; the visible bib numbers are 2272, 1636, and 2289, with “Boston Marathon” branding and Adidas logos. The runners wear different singlets—white, black, and yellow—and athletic gear including headband and watch.Reuters
Aaron Beggs helped carry a fellow runner over the line in Boston

Boston Marathon "hero" Aaron Beggs has said he is hoping not to become a "villain" in the Belfast race.

After helping to carry a fellow runner over the line in Boston last month, Beggs knows he will be a focus of attention as he runs 26.2 miles around Belfast on Sunday.

If he spots anyone struggling near the finish line, the 40 year old from Bangor in Northern Ireland said he will feel obliged to help them.

"I'll have to pick them up. I know if I run past anyone this weekend I'll be a villain. One week hero, next week villain!" he said.

News imageAaron Beggs, with short brown hair and a brown beard, wearing a sleeveless yellow sports top. He is holding a blue page with the number 5988 written in white.
Beggs can run a marathon in under three hours and he is hoping to do the same again on Sunday in Belfast

Since his and Robson De Oliveira's actions went viral on social media, Beggs has done more than 50 interviews with media outlets from across the world.

"It's been crazy. I have just been spreading the word that it's 'nice to be nice'," he told BBC News NI.

Beggs can run a standard marathon (26.2 miles) in under three hours and he is hoping to do the same again on Sunday in Belfast in spite of an exhausting few weeks since Boston.

"It's my home city race and I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

News imageA man with grey hair and glasses, and a woman with long brown hair, both wearing purple hooded sweatshirts, stand indoors at a large event hall holding Belfast City Marathon 2026 race bibs. The bibs read “Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon 2026,” with numbers 5966 and 5967 labelled “MARATHON”; rows of seating, event staff in green shirts, and a stage with lighting are visible in the background.
Husband and wife Philip and Debbie McLorina are hoping to complete their first marathon

He is one of almost 7,000 runners taking part in the race which begins at Stormont and goes through all four corners of the city.

Among the participants are husband and wife Philip and Debbie McLorinan from Lisburn, both hoping to complete their first marathon.

Debbie said: "He's faster than me but we all run together with Jog Lisburn Running Club."

News imageA red haired woman stands inside a large auditorium holding a Belfast City Marathon 2026 race bib showing the number 2030 with the word “MARATHON.” She has a navy and red stripped top on. The venue has tiered seating, wooden railings, and a stage with lighting equipment, while event volunteers in green shirts and tables with race materials are visible in the background.
Alice is running the marathon three years after having a stroke

At the age of 29, Alice Cinnamond from Belfast had a stroke, but three years later she has entered the Belfast marathon.

She is raising money for charity and also celebrating her remarkable return to good health.

"Now I'm in full recovery, happy, healthy and ready to run another marathon," said Alice.

One runner likely to stand out from the crowd is Alan Harris, 46, from east Belfast as he runs in a gorilla suit with a pink top and skirt.

"I wanted to do something to grab attention as I run for my favourite charity," he said.

"I ran the London Marathon last week. The suit gets a bit warm after eight miles but I'll cope."

News imageA person stands on a sidewalk wearing a full gorilla costume with a black mask, furry arms, and a bright pink headband topped with a small tiara. The person points both hands toward a bright pink T‑shirt that reads “ALAN mencap” in white text. Parked cars, trees, metal railings, and brick buildings line the street in the background.
Alan Harris is running for his favourite charity

As well as the full marathon runners, there are more than 3,200 relay teams, made up of five people each running around five miles.

There is also a wheelchair race.

The field includes runners from Ethiopia, Morocco, Canada and USA as well as many runners from the European mainland.

However, the majority of entrants are from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

There is full coverage of the Belfast Marathon on BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio Ulster, and the BBC NI Sport website from 08:45 BST on Sunday.

The latest weather forecast suggests a rather cloudy day with a moderate, north-easterly wind.

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