The Antrim Coast Half Marathon in the northeast of Northern Ireland has become the first running event in Ireland to join the prestigious series of IAAF Road Race Label Events.
Scheduled to take place on Sunday 29th August 2021, it joins the Virgin Money London Marathon and The Cardiff Half marathon (host to the 2016 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships) as the third event in the UK with the IAAF label.
Touted by the organising team as ‘the most beautiful road race in the world’, the event is held on the Antrim Coast road in Northern Ireland. This year’s event will sit alongside major cities Houston, Mumbai, Dubai, Napoli, Osaka, Lagos, Seville, Tokyo, Istanbul, London, Valencia, Barcelona, Warsaw, Shanghai, New Delhi, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires on the prestigious IAAF roster. World Athletics has also confirmed it will be sending a delegate to the race in August.
The 2020 Antrim Coast Half Marathon saw Sir Mo Farah and Lily Partridge break the Irish All-comers records and Gary O’Hanlon and Tommy Hughes break age group world records. The race organisers are planning to welcome back mass entry for 2021… ‘with spectacular on course entertainment planned for the runners and spectators, who will all being well be welcomed back to truly make the event the celebration of sport which we missed in 2020.’
Immediately after the main race the organisers plan to launch the first Antrim Coast mini-marathon Kids Race which will take in the length of the town’s main street before finishing near the race entertainment hub at Sandy Bay.
With the majority of last year’s entry field already signing up for the 2021 race, the race organisers have set the ambitious target of the first ever sub 60 min men’s half marathon and sub 70 women’s half marathon in Ireland.
Race organiser James McIlroy said “The 2021 race really will be amazing when you think we will have the best runners in the world running on one of the most beautiful roads in the world, whilst also welcoming the masses back.
“We also should be in a position to welcome the American and African competitors confirmed for last year’s race but unfortunately due to restrictions were not able to travel, and hopefully topping it all off with the best after party in athletics!”
www.antrimcoasthalfmarathon.com
