Scenic Antrim Coast Half-Marathon sets the pace

The 2022 Antrim Coast Half-Marathon event takes place over a bank holiday weekend on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 August on one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world.

The highly rated international event, which has this year been elevated to ‘World Athletics Elite’ status within the global road running calendar, is now established as one of the must-run races in the UK and Ireland.

Taking in part of the iconic Causeway Coastal Route, the course sweeps through the port town of Larne before moving onto Ballygally on the world-famous Antrim Coast Road and then returning to finish at the Chaine Memorial Tower in Larne.

Home to sights such as the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and the Old Bushmills Distillery, the Causeway Coastal Route is regarded as one of the most scenic journeys in the world.

Ahead of the half-marathon on Sunday 28 August, the inaugural Antrim Coast Classic Street Mile will kick off proceedings on the preceding evening. Featuring kids, wheelchair and adults races, the chip-timed, one-mile route has been officially measured and verified.

Legendary Ethiopian distance runner Haile Gebrselassie, who won multiple global titles during his career, will run the classic mile race for fun, alongside five-time British Olympian Jo Pavey and many of the headline half-marathon stars already confirmed to take part.

On a weekend that celebrates running, the race route will feature music, graffiti artists, great food and something for all the family to enjoy, while all Classic Street Mile participants will receive a T-shirt and race medal.

An ideal warm-up for the main race on Sunday, the mile event is a fantastic opportunity for all levels of runner to compete with some of the half-marathon stars and race ambassadors, and hopefully witness a sub four-minute mile on the super quick course. It’s also a shorter challenge for those not ready to take on the half-marathon distance.

For the main race, the organisers have confirmed a star-studded field, with over 100 runners from the 2021 international elite race returning. Among them in the men’s race will be Valencia half-marathon winner Jemal Yimer and Shadrack Kimining, one of the world's most consistent athletes over the half-marathon distance.

In the women’s race Yalemzerf Yehualaw, who set an unratified world record last year on the Antrim Coast is also competing, while making her debut will be 23-year-old Ethiopian star Gete Alemayehu.

Entries for the 2022 mass race are still open and both it and the elite race will be covered on the BBC’s digital platforms.

A run amid some of the most stunning scenery in Europe, combined with a host of running celebrities makes for a fantastic way to enjoy the friendliness and giant spirit of Northern Ireland.

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