Antrim Coast Half Marathon: Some of the world's elite confirmed as sub-58 minute barrier comes under threat

Mateiko, the UK & Ireland All-Comers Record holder, returns to the Antrim Coast on August 23 where he produced a sensational 58:36 in 2023, cementing the event’s reputation as one of the fastest half marathons in the world.

Now in scintillating form following his 2:03:44 marathon performance in Tokyo this March, the Kenyan arrives with clear intent.

However, standing in his way is fellow Kenyan star Isaia Lasoi, a 26-year-old rising force making his Antrim Coast debut. Lasoi boasts a superb personal best of 58:10 and arrives in top form following victory at the Boston Half Marathon in November 2025.

Earlier this year, he impressed on his marathon debut in London, running with the world record group through 30km. His consistency is underlined by podium finishes in Valencia, Copenhagen and Berlin Half Marathons.

With both men capable of rewriting the record books – and dedicated pacing support in place – the race could witness history, as organisers target the first-ever sub-58- minute half marathon on UK or Irish soil.

But the elite field extends far beyond the headline clash as Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw will make her highly anticipated Antrim Coast debut. A former London Marathon runner-up and recent fourth-place finisher, she has secured victories in both the Barcelona Marathon and Kolkata 25km over the past year.

Also in the women’s field, Mercy Chepwogen adds further strength. The former World Junior Champion over 3000m recently finished third at the Paris Half Marathon in a personal best of 1:06:32 and will be aiming to improve further.

Great Britain’s Lily Partridge, winner of the inaugural race in 2020, also returns and will look to improve on her 69:52 personal best.

In the men’s race, Edward Cheserek is set for his long-awaited debut. The most decorated athlete in NCAA history, Cheserek brings exceptional pedigree and will target an improvement on his 59:11 personal best.

South Korea-based athlete Little Nick Kitundu is set to make his Antrim Coast debut, becoming the first athlete based in South Korea to compete at the event. The 2025 Seoul Marathon champion (2:05:32) will target a personal best over the half marathon distance.

Adding to the event’s unique atmosphere, five-time Olympian Jo Pavey will return for her seventh consecutive year, once again pacing the mass participation field and helping hundreds of runners achieve the coveted sub-two-hour milestone.

Race Director Ruth McIlroy commented: “The Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon has quickly established itself as one of the premier road races in the world. This year’s head-to-head between Daniel Mateiko and Isaia Lasoi elevates the event to another level entirely.

"With both athletes targeting history and the sub-58-minute barrier, we believe something truly extraordinary could unfold on race day. This course has already produced history – and we are confident it can do so again.”

Additionally, this year’s event set to be broadcast live across the globe via World Athletics platforms, reaching an estimated 5 million viewers worldwide, alongside dedicated live coverage across the United States via FloTrack.

The World Athletics Elite Label event holds World Athletics global ranking status, further underlining its position as one of the leading road races in international athletics. In recent years, the race has consistently featured among the world’s top events, ranking 16th in 2023, and 21st in both 2024 and 2025 in the World Athletics standings for 5km–25km races.

Meanwhile, the race is also set to welcome participants from over 40 countries, highlighting its growing international appeal.

For the first time, the event will welcome runners from Taiwan, marking another milestone in its global expansion.

The United States has now firmly established itself as the event’s third-largest market, behind the UK and Ireland, with runners travelling from across the breadth of the country from Oregon, Seattle, California on the west coast to Massachusetts, New York and Florida on the east.

Ms McIlroy added: “It’s brilliant to see the 2026 event set to be broadcast live across all World Athletics platforms, reaching a global audience of 5 million viewers, in addition to going out live across the United States.

"The continued international growth of the event, both in participation and broadcast reach, reflects the strength of the Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon on the global stage.”