A suspect device discovered on the route while the Belfast Marathon was being run has been described by the RUC as an elaborate hoax.
A security alert was declared along the route of the race on the Falls Road at 12:37 p.m. Shortly afterwards a warning was received but by that time all runners had passed the location of the suspect package.
British army bomb disposal experts attended the scene but declared the object to be a hoax package.
The road was re-opened and the RUC described the incident as a "deliberate attempt to disrupt event".
The event attracted a record number of participants - more than 6,000 people, up by at least 1,000 on last year.
The men's race was won by Kenyan Joseph Riri in a time of two hours, 25 minute and 58 seconds. Compatriot, Wilson Cheriuyotwas second and Donegal-man Gary Crossan was third.
Britain's Deborah Curley won the women's race in a time of two hours, 56 minutes and two seconds.
The race was re-routed in 1998 when two mortar bombs were found near the course.