Previous competitor Yvonne points out that with two weeks to race day on Sunday, 12 October 2025, the Royal Parks Half Marathon is fully subscribed. However, if you missed the deadline for one of the most beautiful half marathons in the world, you can register your interest here and the Royal Parks Half team will contact you with details on how to enter for 2026.

The Royal Parks Half is London’s original half-marathon, run on closed roads through four of the eight Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens, and is regarded as the greenest race of its kind in the UK – click here for sustainability details.

The revised 13.1-mile route takes in many of the capital’s world-famous landmarks, with a brand new finish line in front of the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. The new route includes Horse Guards Parade, views of the London Eye, and two royal palaces, with Kensington Palace joining Buckingham Palace, plus running along The Mall twice!

The Royal Parks Half Marathon was set up in 2008 by The Royal Parks charity as an annual fundraising initiative to help conserve and enhance London’s eight Royal Parks for everyone, while enabling charities of all sizes to be involved in a major challenge event.

Since then, the event has exceeded all expectations, raising over £70 million for over 1,200 UK charities – including The Royal Parks, GOSH, and Mind. The money raised by this event for The Royal Parks helps to keep the magic of eight vital green spaces alive, teach children and adults about the natural world, care for wildlife, and conserve historic monuments.

Last year saw 21,000 finishers, with wins for Oscar Bell (1:05:12) and W35 Nicola Jackson (1:18:15) proving the course can be quick. The top 100 men ran faster than 1:21:48, and 50 women finished inside 1:30:31.

The race starts in Hyde Park and finishes in Kensington Gardens, with a short walk to the Event Village in Hyde Park. With an elevation gain of 95 metres it isn't completely flat, but the undulations are gentle, making this an ideal event for beginners or experienced runners alike.

For more details, the course map, and charity information, visit the Royal Parks Half website here.

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

Photo courtesy of Royal Parks Half Marathon on Facebook