McAuley and Storm take honours at windswept Waterside Half Marathon
Stephen McAuley reclaimed his men’s title while Judith Storm took the women’s honours as thousands of runners took on the Waterside Half Marathon in blustery conditions around the banks of the River Foyle this morning.
McAuley’s win in a time of 1.08.17 was part of a remarkable performance from Letterkenny AC who claimed the first four positions in the men’s race to take the team prize with McAuley’s cousin, Danny Mooney, finishing in second place with Michael Fox and Jamie Westerman sealing fourth and fifth place.
City of Derry Spartan Judith Storm was the event’s 2026 Women’s champion as she battled the strong south westerly breeze coming up the Foyle to finish in 1.18.43, closely followed by last year’s winner, Claire McGuigan and Strabane Lifford Half Marathon champion, Sarah Kelly.
The sold-out event attracted one of the biggest fields in the history of the Waterside Half Marathon, with close to 3,000 finishers completing the course that started and finished in Ebrington Square. The figure-of-eight route took runners through the city and surrounding area, crossing the Peace Bridge and Craigavon Bridge and incorporating sections of the city’s greenway network before returning to a packed Ebrington Square finish.
Among the huge field were runners raising money and awareness for a wide range of charities and causes, with participants of all abilities taking on the challenge and many achieving personal goals and personal bests along the way. Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, was there to welcome runners across the finish line after officially starting the race at Ebrington this morning.
“Congratulations to all the winners and to every single person who took part in this year’s Waterside Half Marathon,” said Mayor Uí Niallais, “It was a wonderful sight to see thousands of runners making their way around the city and across the River Foyle, with such an incredible atmosphere created by the runners, volunteers and spectators.
“The Waterside Half Marathon has become a major event in the sporting calendar for our city and it was wonderful to see such a huge field taking part this year.
“Congratulations, in particular, to our winners and category winners, and to everyone who took on the challenge, whether they were chasing a fast time, raising money for a charity or simply aiming to get around the course.
"I would like to pay tribute to the Council’s Festival and Events team, our partners, volunteers, emergency services and everyone who played their part in delivering such a successful event. I would also like to thank the public for coming out to support the runners and creating such a brilliant atmosphere along the route.
“The feedback from participants and spectators has once again shown what a special event the Waterside Half Marathon is and I hope everyone involved enjoys celebrating their achievements today.”
The Waterside Half Marathon is sponsored by The Lycra Company and hosted by Derry City and Strabane District Council in partnership with Share Energy and Ulster University. Full results from the Waterside Half Marathon can be accessed at: https://myrunresults.com/events/waterside_half_marathon_2026/6129/results