Ealing Half Marathon: Complete Training and Race Guide

The Ealing Half Marathon is one of the best-loved community races in London, and a brilliant target whether you are stepping up to your first 13.1 miles or chasing a personal best. This guide pulls together the verified race facts, the route, how to get a place and a simple 12-week training plan, so you can turn up on the start line fit, confident and ready to enjoy the day.

What is the Ealing Half Marathon?

The Ealing Half Marathon is described by organisers as West London's biggest running event and has been voted the UK's Best Half Marathon three years running. It is backed by title sponsor Wizz Air, and it covers the classic half marathon distance of 13.1 miles (21.1 km) on fully closed roads, which makes it a fair and welcoming choice for a first half or a fast time. Since it began, the event has raised more than £3.5 million for charity, and the local atmosphere, known to runners as the #EalingFeeling, is a big part of why people come back year after year.

As of July 2026, the next race is set for Sunday 27 September 2026, with the half marathon starting at 9:00am. It is a genuinely community-run event, staffed by hundreds of local volunteers and cheered on by tens of thousands of residents. Details such as the date, start time and entry arrangements change from year to year, so always confirm the latest information on the official site before you plan around it.

What is the route like?

The course is a single lap that starts and finishes at Lammas Park in Ealing. From there it winds through Central Ealing, Montpelier, Pitshanger, West Ealing, Hanwell and St Stephen's before returning to the finish by way of Walpole Park. It is described as predominantly flat with gentle undulations, so there are no major climbs, just a few rolling sections that reward steady, even pacing.

Because the roads are fully closed and the route is UKA measured with chip timing, it is an honest course for chasing a time. The standout feature, though, is the crowd support. Local residents line much of the route, bands and community groups turn out, and the closing stretch through the park gives tired legs a lift. For many members it is the noise and warmth of the crowds, as much as the flat profile, that makes Ealing such a special place to race.

How do you get a place?

Entry opens through the official website, which points runners to the Race Nation registration platform. There are two main open-entry types: a general entry for runners who are not affiliated to a UKA running club, and a slightly cheaper affiliated entry for those who are members of a UKA club. Charity places are also available through official charity partners such as Shooting Star Children's Hospices and CW+, which usually ask for a small registration fee and a fundraising target in return for a guaranteed spot.

As of July 2026, general entry has been priced from around £40, with early-bird pricing a little lower and prices tending to rise as places sell and race day approaches. Places are limited and popular races like this can sell out, so it pays to enter early. Exact fees, entry windows and any remaining charity places change through the year, so check ealinghalfmarathon.com for current pricing and availability before you commit.

How should you train for a half marathon?

A sensible build for the Ealing Half is about 12 weeks. The plan below assumes you already have a running base and can run comfortably for around half an hour. The pattern is simple: a couple of easy runs to build aerobic fitness, one focused session to add a little speed and strength, and one long run that grows gradually week by week. Easy runs should feel conversational, at a pace where you could chat. The long run is the cornerstone, building your endurance and teaching your body to keep going when it is tired.

Notice the easier weeks built into the block and the two-week taper at the end. These let your body absorb the training and freshen up so you arrive rested. Strength and mobility work is widely recommended to support running training and general robustness. Two short strength sessions a week for legs, hips and core, plus a few minutes of mobility most days, can help you feel stronger and move more freely. Build up gradually, and avoid jumping up the long run and the hard session in the same week. If you pick up pain that does not settle, or you have a health condition, see a physiotherapist or your GP before pushing on.

How should you pace it?

The most common mistake at a half marathon is starting too fast. The first mile at Ealing runs through busy, cheering streets, and the pull to chase that crowd energy is strong. A better plan is to hold back slightly for the first two or three miles, settle into a rhythm that feels controlled, and aim to run the second half as fast or faster than the first.

Break the race into thirds. Settle in and stay relaxed through the first third, lock into your goal effort through the middle, and give what you have left over the final few miles. On a mostly flat course, even pacing is your friend, so try to keep your effort smooth rather than surging. Practise your race pace in training so it feels familiar, and rehearse taking on fluids and any gels on your long runs, so that nothing is new on race day.

What should you know on race day?

Arrive early, as the roads around Lammas Park close and the area gets busy. Lay out your kit the night before, pin your number on, and plan your travel, as parking is limited and public transport is usually easier. Do not wear brand new shoes or clothing for the first time on race day. Eat a familiar breakfast a couple of hours before the 9:00am start, and keep sipping water without overdoing it.

Warm up gently, line up near a pacer close to your goal time if the race offers them, and take a moment to soak up the atmosphere. After you finish, keep moving, collect your medal and refreshments, and enjoy the #EalingFeeling with the thousands of members and runners around you. Details such as the exact start time, road closures and baggage arrangements can change year to year, so read the official race information and any final runner emails in the week before.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Ealing Half Marathon and how do I enter?

The Ealing Half Marathon is a friendly, community half marathon of 13.1 miles run on closed roads around Ealing in West London, usually on a Sunday in late September. The 2026 race is on Sunday 27 September. You enter through the official website at ealinghalfmarathon.com, choosing a general place, a UKA-affiliated place or a charity place through one of the event's charity partners. It is a different race from the Royal Parks Half and the Hackney Half.

When is the Ealing Half Marathon 2026?

As of July 2026, the event is scheduled for Sunday 27 September 2026, with the half marathon starting at 9:00am from Lammas Park. Dates move each year, so confirm on the official site before booking travel.

How hard is the course?

The single-lap route is described as predominantly flat with gentle undulations, so it suits first-timers and personal-best hunters alike. Fully closed roads, chip timing and huge crowd support make it a fair and enjoyable course to race.

How much does it cost to enter?

As of July 2026, general entry has been priced from around £40, with a slightly lower fee for runners affiliated to a UKA club and early-bird savings for those who enter soonest. Charity places carry a smaller registration fee plus a fundraising target. Prices change through the year, so check ealinghalfmarathon.com for the latest.

How long should I train for it?

If you already have a running base, about 12 weeks is a comfortable build. Follow a progressive plan with easy runs, one weekly session, a long run that grows gradually, an easier week or two, and a two-week taper before race day.

Is it beginner friendly?

Yes. The flat, closed-road course, generous crowd support and community feel make it a popular choice for a first half marathon, as long as you train sensibly and build your long run gradually. If you are new to running or returning from injury, speak to a physiotherapist or your GP before starting a plan.