Antrim Coast 5K 2026

The Antrim Coast 5K is a brand new race, introduced for 2026 as a companion event to the well-established Antrim Coast Half Marathon. It sets off at 9:00am on a Sunday morning through Larne town centre - flat, fast, and open to all runners and wheelchair athletes aged 17 and over. If you have been looking for a race with genuine atmosphere, a proper coastal backdrop, and a World Athletics Label to back it up, this is a strong option for late August.

What to expect

The 5K is fully separate from the half marathon and starts two hours before it, giving the course room to breathe. The route is entirely flat with zero elevation gain, which makes it well suited to anyone chasing a personal best or running their first road race. Larne town centre provides the backdrop - a working harbour town on the mouth of the Larne Lough, where the Antrim Coast Road begins its famous run north.

The wider event series, of which this 5K is a new addition, draws runners from more than 30 countries and five continents. There is live music along the route and a post-race celebration at the finish. The half marathon itself has been running since 2020 and has a strong reputation - Mo Farah won the inaugural edition in a course record. The 5K inherits that same organisational standard. Wheelchair athletes are fully catered for, and each distance requires a separate entry.

Getting there

Larne is roughly 30 kilometres north of Belfast on the A2 Antrim Coast Road - an easy 30-minute drive up the motorway and then the coast road. Translink bus services run regularly between Belfast Europa Bus Centre and Larne interchange, so travelling without a car is straightforward. Larne is also the main ferry port for Cairnryan in Scotland, so visitors arriving from Scotland can step off the boat and be at the start line the same morning. For parking, the town centre has several car parks and street parking; arriving early given the race is always sensible.

While you’re in Larne

The town sits at the start of the Causeway Coastal Route, with the Antrim coast stretching north towards Ballygally, Carnlough, and the Glens. After the race it is worth a walk along the seafront or up to Olderfleet Castle at the harbour entrance. There is more to see in Larne and across Co. Antrim.

Good to know

• Date and time: Sunday 23 August 2026, 9:00am start
• Entry: GBP 38 early bird / GBP 42 standard
• Open to all runners and wheelchair athletes aged 17+
• Register and check for updates at antrimcoasthalfmarathon.com
• If you are also running the half marathon, you must enter each race separately