10 reasons to do the Royal Parks Half Marathon

Celebrate the race’s 10th birthday with 10 reasons to do the Royal Parks Half Marathon presented by Royal Bank of Canada.

Join the movement

By taking part in the Royal Parks Half Marathon, you’ll follow in the footsteps of the thousands of runners who have also completed the course over the past ten years. Since the race began, more than 112,000 runners have run this world-famous half marathon, running a total distance that’s the equivalent of running around the world 56 times.

Do a good deed

Doing something as incredible as running a half marathon isn’t just about the physical achievement. When you run for a charity, you’re making a positive impact on the lives of many, which is something to be proud. So far, people who have run the Royal Parks Half Marathon have raised an amazing £30m for over 750 charities.

Global phenomenon

The Royal Parks Half Marathon may take place at the heart of the capital, but it’s a truly international event. Runners from 38 per cent of the world’s countries have entered the race – that is, people from 74 countries out of 196. Take part and you’ll meet runners from all over the world as you put yourself through your paces.

Take in the views

With a title like the Royal Parks Half Marathon, you’ll definitely be treated to your fair share of beautiful scenery and greenery. This half marathon is the only race with a route that goes through the four Royal Parks of London – Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.

Celeb spotting

This race is pretty popular with celebrities, so don’t be surprised if you spot a couple of famous faces jogging by. Gordon Ramsay, Ellie Goulding, Ben Fogle and Katherine Jenkins are just a few of the notable individuals who have taken on the gruelling 13 miles in the past, so make sure you keep your eyes peeled!

Find the right trainers for you

When you’re training for a race, finding the right trainers is one the most important things you can do. By doing a Gait Analysis at Runner’s Need, you can get clued up on the type of support you need from your trainers to give your best performance possible. The impressive complimentary service offered by Runners Need uses video technology to analyse the way you run.

Train the right way

Training for a half marathon doesn’t have to be a solo endeavour. Whether you’ve just started out running or you’re a seasoned race runner, a little bit of help can go a long way! Using the TruBe app is a fantastic way to seek out expert advice from Personal Trainers by organising training sessions at a time and place that suits your schedule.

Wonder women

Women, let’s show them what we’ve got! This year, more women will be taking part in the race than men. There’s always a great sense of community spirit at the Royal Parks Half Marathon, so if you see anyone struggling, man or woman, giving them some words of encouragement could give them the boost they need.

Make your mark

In May this year, the Royal Parks Half Marathon won Runner’s World‘s Best New Race of the Decade award, which is a huge honour. What better reason to sign up?

Have fun!

You may be in pain and sweating like crazy, but trust us when we say that you’re going to have a blast running the Royal Parks Half Marathon. The first ever winner ran the race dressed in a rabbit head costume and was presented with a bunch of carrots as a prize. Join in the silliness and have some fun!

To find out more and how you can still enter, visit royalparkshalf.com