For others, taking part in the marathon was an opportunity to do something special as part of a team.
Ciara McEvoy ran as part of a special needs school relay team who trained together lunchtime.
"It's brought the whole community together," she added.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) SDLP leader Claire Hanna, in her first marathon, finished the course in just under four hours and 37 minutes, and was believed to be the first Westminster MP to complete the Belfast race.
She was the second Northern Ireland party leader to run the Belfast marathon after the then Alliance leader David Ford ran it in 2009 and 2010.
Hanna finished the race at Ormeau Park in her own constituency, South Belfast and Mid Down.
Posting on X after, Hanna said the "cheers, jelly beans and funny signs" made it bearable.
DUP politician Brian Kingston went around the 26.2 mile course at a fast pace, clocking a time of three hours and 32 minutes. It was his 15th marathon
His party colleague, Cheryl Brownlee MLA, ran the London marathon last month.
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