Yalemzerf Yehualaw and a Stellar Women’s Elite Field to Shine at the 2024 CondorExecutive Antrim Coast Half Marathon

Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland – [17.07.2024] – The 2024 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon is poised to host the most formidable women’s elite field ever assembled in the UK or Ireland, with runners from 26 countries set to compete along one of the world’s most scenic routes. Headlining the event is Ethiopia’s Yalemzerf Yehualaw, returning for her third time, joined by the world’s top three fastest half marathon runners of 2024.

Yalemzerf Yehualaw, renowned for her prowess and multiple accolades, including the 2022 London Marathon win, a third-place finish at the 2020 World Half Marathon, and a 10km world record in 2022, is set to showcase her extraordinary talent once again. She holds the current UK & Ireland All Comers Records and boasts a personal best of 1:03:51, making her the fastest in the field.

Joining Yehualaw is Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei, the fastest half marathon runner in the world for 2024. Jepkosgei, making her debut at the Antrim Coast, is celebrated for her victories at the 2021 London Marathon and the 2019 New York Marathon. With a recent third-place finish at the 2024 London Marathon, she remains a dominant force. Ethiopia’s Sutume Assefa, the fastest marathon runner in the world for 2024, will also make her debut on the picturesque Antrim Coast. Assefa’s recent triumphs include winning the 2024 Tokyo Marathon and the 2024 Houston Half Marathon, securing her position as a top contender.

Adding to the elite roster is Ethiopia’s Senbere Teferi, one of the four women who have run sub-65 minutes. Teferi’s impressive career includes a second-place finish at the World Championships 5000m in 2015 and the World Cross Country Championships the same year.

Other notable competitors include:

• Vicoty Chepngeno (Kenya): 2nd Houston Marathon (2024), 1x Houston Half Marathon winner (2022)
• Bosena Mulatie (Ethiopia): 2nd Boston 10k (2024), 2nd Lisbon Half Marathon (2024)
• Loice Chemnung (Kenya): 1x Port Gentil 10k winner (2024), 1x Malaga Half Marathon winner (2024)
• Roza Dereje (Ethiopia): Winner of Valencia Marathon (2019) and Dubai Marathon (2018), 4th Tokyo Olympic Games Marathon (2021)
• Ftaw Zeray (Ethiopia): 2nd Berlin Half Marathon (2024), 3rd Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon (2023)
• Degitu Azimeraw (Ethiopia): Winner of Barcelona Marathon (2024), 2nd London Marathon (2021)
• Mary Ngugi – Cooper (Kenya): Winner of Rome Half Marathon (2024), 2nd World Half Marathon Championships Copenhagen (2014)
• Bekelech Gudeta (Ethiopia): Winner of Xiamen Marathon (2024)
• Mestawut Fikir (Ethiopia): Antrim Coast Half Marathon winner (2023), Winner of Paris Marathon (2024)
• Tekle Muluat (Ethiopia): Winner of Berlin Half Marathon (2024)
• Meseret Belete (Ethiopia): Winner of Amsterdam Marathon (2023)
• Fabienne Konigstein (Germany): Winner of Warsaw Half Marathon (2024), 3rd Antrim Coast Half Marathon (2023)
• Jackie Gaughan (United States): Making her debut, notable for her performance at the 2023 Berlin Marathon

With 17 major city half marathon or marathon winners and multiple world record holders, the 2024 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon Women’s race promises an unparalleled display of athletic excellence. This year’s event is set to be a landmark in the history of women’s distance running, attracting the global elite to Northern Ireland’s breathtaking coastline.

Nine Sub-60 Minute Runners to Compete in 2024 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon

2024 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon men’s race is set to witness an extraordinary display of speed and endurance with nine elite male runners boasting sub-60- minute half marathon times. As Ireland and Northern Ireland prepare to announce their teams at the end of the month, the international field is already shaping up to be the most competitive in the event’s 5-year history.

Leading the charge is Kenya’s Hillary Chekwony, the fastest in the field, who has shown remarkable consistency with a second-place finish at the 2024 Bengaluru 10k, fourth at the 2024 Laredo 10k, and a victory at the 2023 Venlo Half Marathon. Chekwony also placed sixth in the highly competitive 2023 Valencia Half Marathon.

Ethiopia’s Milkesa Mengesha, another sub-59 minute runner, will make his Antrim Coast debut. Mengesha’s accolades include winning the 2023 Daegu Marathon, the 2022 Copenhagen Half Marathon, and the 2022 Houston Half Marathon. He also secured a third- place finish at the 2023 Houston Half Marathon and came sixth in the marathon at the 2023 World Championships. Mengesha first gained global attention as the World Junior Cross
Country Champion in Arhus in 2019.

Returning to the Antrim Coast is Kenya’s Nibret Melak, aiming to improve on his third-place finish from last year. Melak, a two-time All African Champion in the 10,000m (2024), finished seventh at the World Half Marathon Championships in Riga (2023) and first at the 2023 Lisbon Half Marathon.
Also confirmed is Hillary Kipkoech, whose recent performances include second at the 2024 Paris 10k, fifth at the 2024 Barcelona Half Marathon, and victories at the 2023 Castellon 10k and Madrid Half Marathon. Kipkoech also won the 2021 Sapparo Half Marathon and was runner-up at the 2021 Paris Half Marathon.

Making his debut at the Antrim Coast is Mohammed Esa, known for his second-place finishes at the 2024 Boston Marathon and 2023 Tokyo Marathon. Esa’s past victories include the 2022 Lisbon Half Marathon and the 2021 Poznan Half Marathon.

Kenya’s Alex Nzioka, winner of the 2024 Padova Half Marathon and the 2024 Bucharest Half Marathon, adds to the elite field, alongside Antony Kimtai, winner of the 2024 Milano Half Marathon and second at the 2024 Napoli City Half Marathon.

Ethiopia’s Dawit Wolde, the fastest full marathoner in the field with a time of 2:03:48 set in Valencia in 2023, will also compete. Wolde’s impressive résumé includes a win at the 2024 Madrid 10k and third place at the 2023 Valencia Marathon.

Local interest will be strong with Scotland’s Callum Hawkins, a two-time fourth-place finisher at the World Championships (2017, 2019) and eighth-place finisher at the 2016 London Marathon. Additionally, Ethiopia’s Adissu Gobena, the 2024 Dubai Marathon winner, will make his debut at the Antrim Coast, following a third-place finish at the 2023 New Delhi Half Marathon.

With such an impressive lineup of elite runners, the 2024 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon promises fans some of the fastest and most competitive distance running in the world for 2024 on the beautiful Antrim Coast route.

For full elite field start lists please see the link below from 18.07.24

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info@antrimcoasthalfmarathon.com