Elites set to battle it out for NI and Ulster Championship honours at Waterside Half Marathon

Sponsored by The LYCRA Company, the event is hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with Share Energy and Ulster University. This year’s 13.1-mile showcase proudly doubles up as the NI & Ulster Championship race and a competitive elite field will battle for both individual honours and national titles.

In the men’s field, Letterkenny AC’s in-form Stephen McAuley is returning to defend his 2025 Waterside Half title and is red hot favourite after his 1.04.32 personal best in the Antrim Coast Half Marathon in Larne two weeks ago. He will be strongly backed by Letterkenny AC teammate, Michael Fox, who holds a predicted time of 1:07 following an outstanding 1:08:48 performance in Omagh, putting the pair in prime position for the team award.

Challenging the Letterkenny duo is another Donegal runner, John Joe Doherty, with the Finn Valley clubman already claiming the Derry 10-Miler and Strabane Lifford Half Marathon titles. Former winner champion Kyle Doherty from City of Derry Spartans also remains a genuine podium threat if he runs on Sunday.

A talented chasing pack including Danny Mooney, Sean Melarkey, Mark McPaul, James Speight, Jamie Westerman, David Laird, Paddy O’Donnell, Noel McNally, Ronan Toland, Gary McCay, Darragh Crossan, and Brian McFlynn will all be aiming to push the pace at the front of the field,

In the women’s race Ann-Marie McGlynn is registered and if the Irish champion athlete takes to the start line she will be the clear favourite after her recent top six finish in an intensely competitive field at the Antrim Coast Half Marathon finishing in an outstanding time of 1.13.12.

McGlynn starts as the clear favourite but a stacked line-up of contenders will be ready to seize the opportunity, including Strabane Lifford Half winner Sarah Kelly, runner-up in Strabane Leoni Cooke and Caitlyn Harvey, Judith Storm, Cara Laverty and Kirsty Downey.

The action begins at 9:30am on Sunday and the figure of eight course around the River Foyle will guide runners under the Craigavon Bridge, across the Peace Bridge, through Strathfoyle, over the Foyle Bridge, down Bay Park, and along the quay before crossing the Peace Bridge for a grandstand finish back at Ebrington Square.

To ensure safety across the route, temporary road closures, traffic restrictions, and speed limits will be operational throughout the morning. Spectators and motorists are encouraged to check full traffic arrangements and route maps on the official website. For complete race day details and traffic updates, visit www.derrystrabane.com/whm.