NOT even a call of nature could prevent Rathfarnham's Olive Nolan from winning the women's event in yesterday's Belfast marathon.

The 37 year old recovered from her interruption at 15 miles to win in a time of 2.54.31 - nearly eight minutes ahead of US based Barbara Brewer. Another Dubliner, Mary Jennings, was third in 3.02.13.

Nolan reckoned afterwards that her unscheduled time out had cost her about two minutes.

"I didn't know whether it was going to cost me dear, as I really didn't know where I was in relation to the other girls during any stage of the race."

Nolan, who was second in Belfast last year, may now run the Dublin marathon later in the year.

Local man John Ferrin was the first male home.

Ferrin, who also won in 1995, clocked 2.20.17 to edge out fast finishing Scot, Gregor Booth, by four seconds.

The Belfast man seemed to be well on course to break 2.20 when he sped clear of Dunshaughlin's Tom Maher at 18 miles. Earlier, a former Dublin marathon winner, Tommy Hughes, and pre race favourite, Tralee's John Griffin, both dropped out at 15 miles after challenging during the first half of the race.

However, Ferrin's pace dropped in the final six miles - particularly the closing two miles, where Booth pulled back more than a minute on the winner.

Another Scot, Ian Brown, took third in 2.20.30, while Maher faded to finish fifth in 2.21.37.