Antrim Coast Half Marathon
The Lowdown
The Antrim Coast Half Marathon is a World Athletics Elite Label road race held every August Bank Holiday weekend in Larne, Northern Ireland, on the shores of the North Channel. First run in 2020 -- when Mo Farah won the inaugural men's race -- it has quickly become one of the fastest half marathons in the world, drawing Olympic and world champions to a flat, net-downhill course (a 19-meter net decrease over the 13.1-mile distance, within World Athletics' legal tolerance for record purposes) that hugs the Antrim Coast Road past Larne harbour, through the town, out to the village of Ballygally, and back to the finish at the Chaine Memorial Tower. The men's course record of 58:36 was set by Kenya's Daniel Mateiko in 2023; Ethiopia's Yalemzerf Yehualaw ran an unratified 1:03:44 women's time in 2021. A companion 5K starts at 09:00, two hours before the half marathon's 11:00 start. The half marathon field is capped at roughly 2,500 entrants drawn from more than 40 countries, and entrants must be at least 17 years old on race day. Entry for the 2026 edition sold out ahead of the race, though a limited number of charity places remain available through partner organizations such as The Welcome Organisation.
Race Day
Weather Forecast
Elevation
Terrain Profile
Relatively flat course
Participants
Field Size
Medium-sized race
Crowd Rating
Spectator Support
Excellent spectator turnout
Larne Town Park -- event hub and 5K start/finish area
Larne Harbour -- course passes through the port town early in the route
Ballygally village -- coastal turning point of the out-and-back course
Chaine Memorial Tower -- half marathon finish line on the Larne seafront
Other distances available during the event weekend:
Larne, County Antrim, United Kingdom
GB
Average rate for 3-star accommodations near the start line
Eligibility
- Minimum age 17 on race day
Required Documents
- Photo ID may be requested at race number collection
Entry Methods
- Online entry via antrimcoasthalfmarathon.com (sold out for 2026)
- Guaranteed charity place through official partner charities with a minimum fundraising pledge
Cancellation & Refund Policy
Review the official race terms at antrimcoasthalfmarathon.com/race-terms/ before entering
One of only two half marathons in the UK and Ireland with a World Athletics Elite Label designation.
Course record: 58:36 (men, Daniel Mateiko, Kenya, 2023).
Yalemzerf Yehualaw (Ethiopia) ran 1:03:44 in 2021, an unratified women's time due to a course measurement issue.
Co-founded in 2020 by Olympian James McIlroy and international rowing coxswain Ruth McIlroy; Mo Farah won the inaugural 2020 men's race.
Held annually on the last weekend of August (Northern Ireland's August Bank Holiday weekend).
Community
Stories, tips, and race-day snapshots from runners who have tackled this course.
Community Reviews
Learn from fellow runners and share insights that will help the next person toe the line.

