DirectRooms.com – Runners hit the streets of Belfast on 2 May 2011

DirectRooms.com reveals that Belfast will be hosting its annual marathon this year that will feature thousands of runners taking part in the main event and a series of other challenges.

Belfast City Marathon will see professional runners leading the race against all types of athletes with some just there to take part while others are participating to raise thousands of pounds for charity. This year's two main charities are Macmillan Cancer Support and Transplant Sport UK and the event hopes to raise essential funds for many other organisations.

As an official distance of 26.2 miles the race is challenging enough for most people who will be looking just to complete the distance. Leading athletes however will be setting their sights on the £2,000 bonus which will be awarded to the winning male and female runners that can beat Marty Deane's time set in 1985 or that of Marashet Jumma for the women in 2008.

Some fun activities are due to run for non competitors such as a marathon walk of either 26.2 or nine miles and the fun run which is around three miles. The race will begin at 09:00 on 2nd May 2011 beginning by Belfast City Hall and then working its way to the finish line in Ormeau Park. More than 20,000 people are set to be involved with all the events and this will cause a substantial increase in demand for a cheap Belfast Airport hotel.

Lek Boonlert, marketing head at DirectRooms.com commented: "So many attendees will mean limited vacancies at hotels so people needing accommodation should plan their stay months ahead of the race."