Joshua Cheptegei, Olympic and world champion long-distance runner, is set to compete in the 2025 Condor Executive Antrim Coast Half Marathon, marking his first-ever appearance in Ireland.
The announcement was made by race director James McIlroy, who described the development as a historic and inspiring moment for athletics in Northern Ireland.
“This is the very first time Joshua has been to Ireland,” McIlroy said. “It’s such an honour to welcome him to the North Coast of Antrim where he will join thousands of people to run the Antrim Coast Half Marathon course.”
Cheptegei, who holds world records in the 5,000m (12:35.36) and 10,000m (26:11.00), expressed his excitement ahead of the race, which is scheduled for Sunday, August 24.
“I’m very excited to come to Ireland for the first time and run at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon,” Cheptegei stated. “I’ve watched the race on television and the course looks beautiful and very fast. My teammates both hold the course record and now it’s my turn to run here.”
Organisers expect Cheptegei’s participation to elevate the event’s profile and attract widespread attention from the global running community.
“Cheptegei is coming here to win, but also to inspire,” said McIlroy. “Whether you’re a young runner in Belfast or a seasoned club athlete from further afield, seeing a legend like Cheptegei compete in your backyard is a once-in-a-generation moment.”
He added, “Having an Olympic and world champion, and one of the greatest runners of all time, here on our coastline is something truly special. It speaks volumes about the reputation the Antrim Coast Half Marathon has earned globally.”
Cheptegei’s competitive resume includes Olympic gold in the 5,000m and silver in the 10,000m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, along with four world titles.
McIlroy highlighted the significance for participants, saying, “Everyone who takes part in the 2025 Antrim Coast Half Marathon gets to say they raced against the reigning double Olympic champion. That’s the sort of bragging rights runners live for.”
The Antrim Coast Half Marathon, founded in 2020 with just 62 runners, has rapidly grown into a premier event on the international calendar. It now hosts over 6,000 runners from more than 40 countries and is classified as a World Athletics Elite Label Road Race. In 2024, it was ranked seventh among half marathons worldwide.
