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sport · Sunday 23 August 2026 · 11:00am 
Antrim Coast Half Marathon 2026
At Larne Town Park · Glenarm Road, Larne, BT40 1RQ
At Larne Town Park · Glenarm Road, Larne, BT40 1RQ
Running 13.1 miles is one thing. Running them along one of Europe’s most celebrated stretches of coastline, with cliffs at your shoulder and the Irish Sea opening out ahead, is something else entirely. The Antrim Coast Half Marathon draws runners from over 40 countries to Larne every August for precisely that combination - serious racing on a course that happens to be genuinely beautiful. With a World Athletics Elite Label designation, it sits in the same category as major international road races, yet the atmosphere remains accessible. Pacers cover a spread from 1:30 to 3:00, so whether you are chasing a personal best or completing your first half marathon, there is a place for you on the start line.
The half marathon starts at 11:00am on Glenarm Road, just outside Larne Town Park. The course sweeps into Larne harbour and through the town centre before joining the Antrim Coast Road proper - a route that passes UNESCO World Heritage landmarks and the coastal village of Ballygally. The terrain is flat and the road is fast; it is widely regarded as one of the quickest courses in the UK and Ireland, a gentle downhill section after 7km helping legs stay fresh. The finish line sits at the Chaine Memorial Tower, a Larne landmark right on the waterfront.
A companion Antrim Coast 5K also runs on the same day, starting at 9:00am with a flat town-centre route open to all runners and wheelchair athletes aged 17 and over. Race ambassadors have included Catherine McKiernan and Jo Pavey, and the event has attracted participants from six continents since its launch in 2020.
Larne sits on the A2 Antrim Coast Road, roughly 30 kilometres north of Belfast. By road, the A8 motorway connects Belfast to Larne in under 30 minutes. Translink bus services run regularly between Belfast and Larne; on race day it is worth checking the Translink journey planner in advance as schedules can vary. Parking is available in Larne town centre, though spaces fill early on race morning - arriving well ahead of your start time is sensible.
Larne is the gateway to the Causeway Coastal Route, one of the great scenic drives in Ireland and Britain. The town itself has a working harbour and a compact centre that is easy to get around on foot. There is more to see in Larne and across Co. Antrim.
Heading to Larne Town Park in Larne? Antrim has plenty more to see. Read the Larne area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.