The Royal Parks Half Marathon, now in its 19th year, will welcome over 16,000 runners to the start line in Hyde Park on Sunday, 11 October 2026. The event is fully subscribed every year and the public ballot for this year's race officially opened on Monday, 26 January 2026, giving runners the chance to secure a place in one of the UK’s most iconic and scenic running events.

First launched in 2008 by The Royal Parks Charity, the event has grown into one of the UK’s most celebrated half marathons, raising over £80 million for more than 1,900 UK charities, supporting organisations like Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Mind, MacMillan Cancer Support, and Prostate Cancer UK, as well as hundreds of grassroots causes. Funds also directly help protect London’s Royal Parks, ensuring these green spaces remain thriving havens for all.

The spectacular 13.1-mile course takes in some of London’s most famous landmarks and passes through four of the capital’s eight beautiful Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens.

Last year saw victories for Italian international Andrea Soffientini (1:09:53) and Sweaty Betty runner W45 Alice Braham (1:16:48). The top 10 men ran faster than 1:14:00, and nine women were under 1:25:00, showing this is a fast course with less than 100m elevation gained.

The race starts in Hyde Park and finishes in Kensington Gardens, with a short walk to the Event Village situated in Hyde Park. Closed roads and a festival-style atmosphere make it one of the UK’s most memorable half-marathons.

As one of the UK’s greenest major half-marathons, runners receive medals crafted from FSC-certified wood and can also take part in the popular ‘Drop the Finisher Top’ initiative, choosing to plant aquatic plants alongside the Serpentine Lake, a stunning part of the route, instead of receiving a finisher T-shirt.

Head of the Royal Parks Half Marathon, Liz Tack, said: “The Royal Parks Half Marathon continues to be such a special race for so many people. The atmosphere across the parks on race day is always electric, and paired with our uniquely beautiful route, it creates an experience that stays with runners long after they cross the finish line."

For more information, visit the Royal Parks Half website here.

To enter the ballot for the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which closes on 6 February, click here.

Previous results and reports are at the runABC South race listing here.

Image Credit: RB Create for Royal Parks Half Marathon