The superb photo above features Tom (#124) and Carole Maleczek (#355) finishing the 2024 Fleet Half Marathon together in 1:53:26, alongside Becky Neale (#949), whose number is obscured. The effort, elation, pride and sheer relief in finishing one of the UK's oldest and most prestigious half-marathons is clear to see.

With just over four months to the next running of the Fleet Half Marathon, on 29 March 2026, now is the time to sign up and secure your bespoke 45th-anniversary event T-shirt (blue or white, unisex or female cut) designed to celebrate the history of this race, which was first held on 4 April 1982, with a start and finish in Rushmoor Arena – as seen in this fabulous YouTube clip...

The current Fleet Half Marathon champions are Army athlete Dean Williamson (Colchester Harriers, 1:07:41) – a 2:17:45 marathon runner – and W40 Nina Griffith (Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow AC, 1:14:44), who ran her PB half marathon time at Fleet.

Nearly 2,500 runners completed the race within the three-hour cut-off time this year, with almost 500 finishing within 90 minutes, demonstrating the route's PB potential in ideal conditions. The current course, based in the Calthorpe Park Race Village, has fewer undulations than the original circuit used 45 years ago.

Organisers Fleet and Crookham AC have maintained the entry fees the same this year. Other highlights of the race, which is "run by runners, for runners", include FREE professional race photography; Pace Makers for 1:30, 1:40, 1:45, 1:50, 2:00, 2:10 and 2:20 finish times; and a well-marshalled, traffic-free route, with over 125 volunteers cheering you on your way.

Entries cost £30 (affiliated) or £32 (unattached) and will close on 8 March 2026. The commemorative T-shirt can be ordered with entry for an additional £12 (including P&P). The 2026 Fleet Half Marathon supports the Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care in Farnham.

For more information on this runABC Featured Race, visit the Fleet Half Marathon website.

Results and previous news items are at the runABC race listing here.

Image courtesy of Fleet Half Marathon on Facebook