Clearer Water Antrim Coast Half Marathon: 2024 road race attracting top global talent
A “spectacular” lineup of elite athletes featuring world record holders, World medallists and previous race winners will compete in the 2024 Clearer Water Antrim Coast Half Marathon.
Talented female entrants include two-time champion of the Antrim Coast Half Marathon (2021 and 2022) and the 2022 London Marathon winner, Yalemzerf Yehualaw (24 Ethiopia), Mestawut Fikir (24, Ethiopia), who is the 2023 Antrim Coast Half Marathon champion and 2024 Paris Marathon champion, Vicoty Chepngeno (30, Kenya), the 2022 Houston Half
Marathon winner and runner-up in the 2024 Houston Marathon.
They will be joined on the starting line by Bosena Mulatie (22, Ethiopia), who placed second in the 2024 Lisbon Marathon and third in the 2023 Istanbul Half Marathon, Loice Chemnung (27, Kenya). who won the 2024 Malaga Half Marathon and took second place at the 2024 Paris 10km, Roza Dereje (27, Ethiopia), who finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, Degitu Azimeraw (25, Ethiopia), the 2024 Barcelona Marathon winner, who was second at the 2021 London Marathon, Bekelech Gudeta (26, Ethiopia), who claimed victories at the 2024 Xiamen Marathon, 2023 New Taipei City Marathon and 2022 Prague Marathon and Mary Ngugi-Cooper (35, Kenya), who is a two-time medalist at the World Half Marathon Championships and a former African U20 champion.
She has finished second and third at the Boston Marathon, with personal bests of 1:06:29 for the half marathon and 2:20:22 for the marathon.
The elite men’s field will feature Hillary Chepkwony (25, Kenya), who placed second at the 2024 Bengaluru 10km and won the 2023 Venloop Half Marathon, Milkesa Mengesha (24, Ethiopia), who was the World Junior Cross Country Champion (U20) in 2019, finished third at the 2024 Houston Half Marathon and won the 2023 Daegu Marathon, Vincent Ngetich (25, Kenya), who placed third at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon and second at the 2023 Berlin Marathon, Alex Nzioka (20, Kenya), Dawit Wolde (32, Ethiopia), who finished third at the 2023 Valencia Marathon and the 2021 Rotterdam Marathon and Charles Matata (Kenya), who won the 2024 Venloop Half Marathon and finished second at the 2023 New Delhi Half Marathon.
Commenting ahead of this year’s race, which is taking place on August 25, Elite Race Director, James McIlroy BEM OLY, said: “In addition to the stellar lineup of elite runners, the Antrim Coast Half Marathon is excited to welcome the stars and producers of the acclaimed documentary, Skid Row Marathon, who will be flying over from LA to participate.
"Their participation underscores the race’s growing international appeal and its commitment to inspiring stories of transformation through running.
"With participants from 30 countries set to take part, the event will see a record number of entries, making it the most globally diverse and inclusive race in its history.
"The Antrim Coast Half Marathon, renowned for its stunning coastal route and supportive community, promises a day of exceptional athletic achievement and thrilling competition. The race begins at the iconic Antrim Coast Road, offering breathtaking views and a fast, flat course conducive to record-breaking performances.”
This year’s event, which will see over 8,000 participants, is raising funds for the British Heart Foundation NI. The worthy cause is encouraging people to sign up to one of their free charity spaces.
To support the charity, contact BHF NI Fundraising Manager Orla Copeland at [email protected]