It’s mid-August, the long runs are getting longer, and your Saturday or Sundays are now a grim combination of sugary energy gels, chafing, and wondering if you’r now in some sort of bizarre cult. You’re deep in the Dublin Marathon training plan now, so why not make one of those long runs a bit more interesting?
Running a half marathon in September is the perfect way to practise race-day fuelling, pace control, and the art of pretending everything's ok while your soul quietly leaves your body. Bonus points if there’s a medal and a cup of tea at the end.
The Belfast Half Marathon on September 21st is long long sold out, those entries were like gold dust, but there are still a couple of great Ulster half marathons you can bag in mid-September.
What’s Still on the Menu in Ulster
- September 13th - Rock the Lough & Lakes Half Marathon – Armagh – Flat, scenic, and with a name that sounds like a 90s boyband album.
- September 21st - Causeway Coast Half Marathon – Antrim – Run near one of the most famous landscapes in the very north of Ireland.
Why Bother Doing a Half in Training?
A mid-September half gives you a chance to:
- Practise your race-morning routine without the marathon-day pressure.
- Test your gel strategy (and the nearest portaloo).
- See if your goal pace for Dublin is achievable or a beautiful lie.
And crucially, it makes one of your long runs far less boring. There’s a huge difference between plodding around solo and running in an organised event with other lunatics who paid money to suffer.
Conclusion