Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon Produces Historic World-Class Racing as Record 7,000 Runners Take Over the Antrim Coast
Monday 24 August 2026
The 2026 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon delivered a spectacular day of world class athletics yesterday, as a record 7,000 runners from more than 40 countries joined thousands of spectators along the iconic Antrim Coast Road. With live coverage broadcast around the world through World Athletics platforms, and across North America through FloSports, the seventh edition of the Antrim Coast Half Marathon showcased Northern Ireland on a truly global stage.
The men's race produced one of the most remarkable finishes in the event's history, with Kenya's Isaia Lasoi storming to victory in a sensational 58:26, setting a new UK & Ireland all-comers record and lowering the previous mark set by fellow Kenyan Daniel Mateiko at Antrim Coast in 2023. Mateiko produced an extraordinary performance of his own, finishing second in 58:30, while Lasoi and Mateiko's performances place them 8 th and 9th fastest half marathon performances in the world in 2026.
The race was paced at an extraordinary level from the gun. Lasoi and Mateiko passed 5km in 13:38, reached 10km in 27:41, and remained locked together through 15km in 41:29 and 41:28 respectively. At 20km both athletes were still together at 55:49, before Lasoi produced the decisive final kilometre to take the victory in 58:26.
Kenyan athletes dominated the men's top four, with Vincent Kipkorir third in 1:00:39 and Samwel Chebolei fourth in 1:01:02.
Ethiopia's Yismaw Dillu was fifth in 1:01:06, with South Africa's Adam Lipschitz sixth in the same time.
American double Olympic medallist Galen Rupp added further star quality to the field, finishing 10th in 1:01:30.
Ireland's Hiko Tonosa finished 11th overall in 1:02:07, becoming the first Irish man home.
The extraordinary depth of the race was underlined by the fact that the leading athletes were still running at close to record pace deep into the second half of the race.
Ethiopian victory in the women's race
The women's race was won by Ethiopia's Girmawit GebrzihaIr, who produced commanding performance to take victory in 1:06:12.
GebrzihaIr and Kenya's Winnie Kimutai passed 5km together in 15:36, with the Ethiopian athlete establishing the decisive advantage over the closing stages.
Kimutai finished second in 1:07:03, followed by fellow Kenyan Wede Kefale in 1:07:12.
Ethiopia's Degitu Azimeraw was fourth in 1:08:44, while American Dakatoh Popehn, who finished third at Antrim Coast last year, returned to take fifth in 1:08:47.
Ireland's Emily Haggard-Kearney was sixth in 1:12:00.
Antrim Coast now among the world's fastest half marathon courses The extraordinary standard of racing once again underlined the unique status of the Antrim Coast Road as one of the fastest road-running courses in the world.
Following yesterday's performances, the Antrim Coast Half Marathon is now recognised as the eighth-fastest half marathon course of all time, further cementing its reputation as a destination for the world's leading distance runners.
The combination of the fast, coastal course, exceptional conditions and huge crowds once again produced an unforgettable atmosphere.
Historic first Antrim Coast 5K
The inaugural Antrim Coast 5K, a World Athletics Label event, also produced world-class performances.
Ethiopia's Ermias Girma, the 2022 World Junior Champion, won the men's race in 13:50, holding off Ireland's John Travers, who finished just two seconds behind in 13:52. Scotland's Angus Smith completed the podium in 13:55.
The women's 5K produced another sensational result, with Ethiopia's Aynadis Mebratu winning in 14:51 – a time that ranks among the 10 fastest women's 5K performances in the world in 2026.
Mebratu held off Kenya's Beatrice Chepkoech, the steeplechase world-record holder and former world champion, who finished second in 15:11. Switzerland's Agnes McTighe was third in 15:35.
Spectators create unforgettable Antrim Coast atmosphere
While the elite racing provided the headlines, the defining feature of the 2026 event was the extraordinary atmosphere created by the thousands of mass-participation runners and spectators.
The world's leading athletes were cheered virtually the entire length of the Antrim Coast Road, with huge crowds gathering in Drains Bay, Ballygally and along the Chaine Memorial Road to create an atmosphere befitting one of the world's leading road races.
Race Director Ruth McIlroy said:
“Yesterday was an incredibly proud day for everyone involved in the Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon. To welcome 7,000 runners from more than 40 countries, alongside record crowds of spectators, and then witness performances of this quality on our course was truly remarkable.
“Isaia Lasoi and Daniel Mateiko produced an incredible race, and to see the UK & Ireland all comers record broken here for the 5th time in Northern Ireland is something very special.
“But the Antrim Coast Half Marathon is about far more than the elite athletes. The atmosphere created by our mass runners, spectators, volunteers, communities and supporters along the entire coast was phenomenal.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make yesterday possible.”
The organisers also paid tribute to the hundreds of runners who raised money for charities and causes close to their hearts, adding an important fundraising dimension to the event.
The organisers extended their thanks to Mid & East Antrim Borough Council, all event partners, volunteers, emergency services, officials and the local communities who supported the event.
Particular thanks were given to residents and community groups along the route, with special recognition for the incredible support in Drains Bay, Ballygally and around the Chaine Memorial Road.
With the 2026 event now complete, entries for the 2027 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon are officially open.
Runners can secure their place at:
Headline Notes
The 2026 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon welcomed 7,000 runners
from more than 40 countries.
2026 Half Marathon men's winner: Isaia Lasoi (Kenya) – 58:26
2026 Half Marathon women's winner: Girmawit GebrzihaIr (Ethiopia) – 1:06:12
2026 Antrim Coast 5K men's winner: Ermias Girma (Ethiopia) – 13:50
2026 Antrim Coast 5K women's winner: Aynadis Mebratu (Ethiopia) – 14:51
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