Worksop Halloween Half Marathon has a surprise waiting for runners on Sunday 25 October. For 2026, one of Nottinghamshire's long established autumn races is doing things backwards.

Worksop Harriers have confirmed that the Half Marathon course will be run in the opposite direction this year, immediately creating an unusual incentive at the sharp end of the field. With the direction changed, the first male and female winners across the line will establish new course records for the reversed route.

It should also give returning runners a different perspective on familiar territory. The traditional course heads from Worksop towards Clumber Park, combining predominantly road running with a short trail section. Last year's race took runners through Clumber in full autumn colour and across a rolling course before returning to Worksop. Reversing that journey changes where the climbs and faster sections arrive, giving previous participants something new to think about.

The race starts at 10:00am from Sparken Hill Academy and is UKA certified. It also incorporates the Nottinghamshire County Championships in 2026, adding another competitive element to a race that attracted more than 1,200 runners last year.

Every finisher receives the traditional long sleeved race T shirt as well as a medal. The event is also an important fundraiser for Worksop Harriers, with more than 150 club members and friends involved in delivering last year's race.

Halloween costumes may be part of the fun, but the course reversal is the real trick this October. Previous experience might help, but nobody has raced this version of the Worksop Halloween Half Marathon before.

Entries are available via the runABC race hub here.

Image courtesy Worksop Half Marathon on Facebook.