The 13th Uber Boats by Thames Clippers Richmond RUN-FEST was a fully sold-out success on Sunday, 14th September 2025, as 4,595 people participated across the six race distances, ranging from a Kids 500m to the Richmond Marathon.

Richmond RUN-FEST organisers were thrown a curve ball when Richmond Council announced a delay to planned works on the Thames towpath, which forms a key part of the RUN-FEST race route. Nimble work by the RUN-FEST team identified an alternative to the affected 2.5-mile section and, after liaising with Richmond Council, Network Management and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, the revised route was approved and re-measured – phew!

Richmond RUN-FEST opens with Richmond Marathon at 8:00am, with a tour of the famous Royal Botanic Gardens Kew before running through Hampton Court Palace! Other historical highlights include Ham House, Richmond Green, Teddington Lock, Kingston Riverside, and the meandering River Thames. With three famous bridges, a Royal Palace and one famous river, this race has been described as the 'World's most scenic Marathon!'

The 2025 marathon men's podium was filled by Jamie Ludlow (2:32:19), Enda Kerin (2:38:56) and Sam Peperkamp (2:39:17). The top three women were Raissa Machado (2:56:56), W40 Linda Goodchild (2:58:52) and Alex Rodriguez (3:03:14). The first 53 beat three hours.

The Richmond Half Marathon was headed by Alastair Jackson (1:07:10), Fai Li (1:09:58) and James Izard (1:16:43). W45 Lisa Bailey (1:17:38) and Navneet Kaur Bhamra (1:17:56) led the women's race in the next two positions. Georgina Annett (1:24:38) was third as 95 finished inside 90 minutes.

The Richmond 10K added 750 finishers to the total and was won by the defending champion Fred Woodward Gentle in 34:24. Dayna Riordan took the honours in the women's race with 39:42. Richmond 10K must be one of the flattest races with 16 feet of elevation on the route.

The main events all finish in Old Deer Park, where the Family Mile, Kids Mile and Kids 500m are held. Old Deer Park also hosts the legendary music festival and post-event party. This year's triangular medal drew praise for its clever design, featuring a spinning Kew Gardens Palm House in the centre!

Next year's Richmond RUN-FEST will be on 12-13 September – click here for more information.

Results and previous event reports are at the runABC South race listing here.

Photo courtesy of Richmond RUN-FEST on Facebook