Waterside Half Marathon

The Waterside Half Marathon is Northern Ireland's longest-running road race, first staged in 1984 and now run annually by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with City of Derry Spartans Athletic Club. The 2026 edition marks its 43rd running. Runners, wheelchair athletes, and three-person relay teams start and finish together at Ebrington Square on the banks of the River Foyle, crossing to the cityside and back over Derry's four iconic bridges as the 13.1-mile route winds through the city's parks and greenways. The rolling course climbs roughly 160 meters over its length, making for a scenic but genuinely hilly test. Title-sponsored by The LYCRA Company, the race drew a record field of more than 2,500 finishers in 2025, and the 2026 edition sold out well ahead of race day, though a waitlist remains open for late entrants. Solo runners and wheelchair participants must be at least 17 on race day; relay team members must be at least 15. Every finisher receives a medal and event T-shirt, the course is chip-timed and fully marshalled, and entries are non-refundable.