Well boi, the bobble hat is back. The Waterford AC Half Marathon returns on Saturday November 28th, 2026, with a 9:30am start from SETU Arena in Carriganore. Entries are open for a race that gives runners in the Déise and beyond a reason to keep the miles going when winter training starts to feel like hard work.
A Reason to Run Through November
Once the clocks go back, the temptation to leave your runners by the door gets fierce. A half marathon at the end of November keeps the long runs in the diary without asking you to commit to another marathon. And because the gun goes on Saturday morning, you still have the rest of the weekend to enjoy Waterford.
Road Miles and a Taste of the Greenway
The organisers say the 2026 route will be the same as last year. It starts and finishes at SETU Arena, using open roads and a section of the Waterford Greenway. So do not bank on 13.1 traffic free miles along the old railway line. This is a varied course with a large field around you.
There is speed at the front, too. In last year’s race, Ryan Creech of Leevale AC won in 1:05:58, while Nichola Sheridan of Bohermeen AC took the women’s victory in 1:17:20. For runners chasing a target of their own, the organisers list pacers for 1:30, 1:40 and 1:50.
The Hat, Obviously
Every finisher gets a medal and the famous Waterford AC bobble hat. I still have mine from 2015, and it has survived more winters than most of my running shoes. A race souvenir that actually sees daylight after race weekend is a decent reward for 13.1 miles.
Make a Weekend of It
The race falls during Winterval, and its Christmas market in Waterford city centre is scheduled to open from 11am to 8pm on Saturday November 28th. There are showers at SETU Arena, so you can freshen up after the run and head into town for lunch, a wander around the stalls or a well earned pint. Friends and family can see the start and finish at the arena before joining you in town.
Entry Details
- Date and time: Saturday November 28th, 2026 at 9:30am
- Start and finish: SETU Arena, West Campus, Carriganore, Co. Waterford, X91 XD96
- Entry: €45 plus booking fee, a €5 increase on 2025. There is no late registration surcharge.
- Facilities: Parking at SETU Arena, a bag drop, showers and water at miles 3, 6 and 9.
- Time limit: The organisers put the finish cutoff at approximately 12:30pm. There is no early start for walkers.
- Finishers: A medal and the Waterford AC bobble hat.
The race is Waterford AC’s main fundraiser. Entry fees support its juvenile programme and more than 300 training sessions a year for athletes from age five to masters level. That is another good reason to put the winter miles in.
