A participant at the 37th edition of the Belfast City Marathon on Monday (May 7) has died.

The male runner, one of the 17,000 that took part, collapsed about six miles into the marathon close to Victoria Park in the city.

Organisers said aid was quickly at the scene and the man in his 50s was taken to hospital, but sadly passed away.

“It is deeply regretful that this has happened today,” a Belfast City Marathon spokesperson told Belfast Live. “He collapsed at about mile six. It was really early on.

“Two members of our senior management team went to visit his family in hospital and offer their condolences.

“He went to the Royal Victoria Hospital but unfortunately passed away.”

Eric Koech and Caroline Jepchirchir won Northern Ireland’s premier marathon, with organisers also warning that it could be the last time the event is staged because of new legislation.

At the London Marathon last month, runner Matt Campbell collapsed at the 22.5 mile mark and died in hospital.