Royal Parks Half
Royal Parks Half Marathon: Complete Training and Race Guide
A scenic 13.1-mile autumn half through central London's royal parks. Here is what the race is, how to get a place, and how to train and pace it as an everyday runner.
The short version
- The Royal Parks Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile road race through the heart of central London, running on closed roads through four royal parks in autumn. You enter through the free public ballot, a charity place, or a general entry, with the ballot drawn each winter for the following October.
- The route is one of the most scenic in the UK, passing Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, the Houses of Parliament and Kensington Palace on a generally flat course.
- The 2026 edition is reported to be Sunday 11 October 2026. Always confirm dates, fees and entry windows on royalparkshalf.com, as details change every year.
- Give yourself around 12 weeks of structured training from a solid running base, building your long run gradually and finishing with a proper taper.
13.1
miles (half marathon)
4
royal parks on the route
16,000+
runners take part
What is the Royal Parks Half Marathon?
The Royal Parks Half Marathon is a 13.1-mile road race through the heart of central London, run on closed roads through four royal parks in autumn. It is one of the best-loved half marathons in the UK, known as much for its scenery as for its charity focus. The event was established in 2008 by the Royal Parks Foundation, and since then it has raised more than £70 million for over 1,200 UK charities.
The race takes place each autumn, typically on a Sunday in October. It draws a large field of over 16,000 runners, a mix of first-timers chasing a bucket-list finish, club runners hunting a personal best, and thousands of people fundraising for a cause that matters to them. The atmosphere sits somewhere between a big-city major and a friendly community event, which makes it a popular choice for a first half marathon.
The figures below are accurate as of July 2026. Entry windows, fees and the exact date can change from year to year, so treat the official site as the final word.
| Detail | What to know (as of July 2026) |
|---|---|
| Distance | 13.1 miles (a half marathon) |
| Location | Central London, starting in Hyde Park and finishing in Kensington Gardens |
| Typical date | Autumn, usually a Sunday in October (2026 reported as Sun 11 October, confirm on the official site) |
| Entry routes | Free public ballot, charity places, and general entry |
| Course | Generally flat with gentle undulations, on fully closed roads |
| Founded | 2008, by the Royal Parks Foundation |
What is the route like?
The course threads through four of London's eight royal parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens. It starts in Hyde Park and finishes in Kensington Gardens, with the finish line set in front of the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. Everything runs on closed roads, so there is no traffic to break your rhythm.
The scenery is a big part of the appeal. Over the 13.1 miles you pass some of the most recognisable landmarks in the country, including Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben and Kensington Palace, with a stretch along The Mall. For many members it is the most photogenic race they will run all year, and the crowd support through the parks and along the roads gives the day a festival feel.
In terms of profile, the course is generally flat with some gentle undulations rather than any serious climbs. That makes it friendly for a first half marathon and fast enough for a personal best if you have trained well. The park paths can feel slightly softer underfoot than pure tarmac, so a pair of shoes you have run in before is a safer bet than anything brand new on the day.
How do you get a place?
There are three main ways in. The first is the free public ballot, which usually opens in late January and is drawn in early February for that October's race. Entering the ballot costs nothing, and if you are successful you then pay the standard entry fee to confirm your spot. Ballot entry fees are reported at around £59 plus a small administration charge in recent years, though you should always check the current figure before you commit.
The second route is a charity place. Many registered charities hold guaranteed entries and offer them in exchange for a fundraising commitment, which is a great option if you missed the ballot or want your race to raise money. As an example, a Team Royal Parks place is reported to carry a registration fee and a minimum sponsorship target as of July 2026. Fundraising minimums and deadlines vary by charity, so read the terms before you sign up.
The third route is general entry where available. Because the 2026 ballot has already opened and closed earlier this year, charity places are the most likely way in for the coming race if you do not already hold a spot. For the current entry status, fees and deadlines, go straight to royalparkshalf.com.
How should you train for it?
A 12-week block is a sensible runway if you already have a running base of a few sessions a week and can comfortably run for around 30 minutes. The aim is simple: build your long run gradually, add a little quality with one harder session a week, keep most of your running easy, and finish with a taper so you arrive fresh. The outline below is a guide you can adjust around your own life rather than a rigid prescription.
| Week | Easy runs | Session | Long run | Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 x 30 min | 5 x 3 min steady | 5 miles | Settle into a routine |
| 2 | 2 x 35 min | 6 x 3 min steady | 6 miles | Build easy volume |
| 3 | 2 to 3 x 35 min | 4 x 5 min threshold | 7 miles | Extend the long run |
| 4 | 2 x 30 min | Easy strides | 5 miles | Easier week to recover |
| 5 | 3 x 35 min | 5 x 5 min threshold | 8 miles | Return to building |
| 6 | 3 x 40 min | 3 x 8 min tempo | 9 miles | Longer sustained efforts |
| 7 | 3 x 40 min | 6 x 800m at goal pace | 10 miles | Sharpen race pace |
| 8 | 2 x 35 min | Easy strides | 7 miles | Easier week to freshen up |
| 9 | 3 x 40 min | 4 x 10 min threshold | 11 miles | Peak endurance |
| 10 | 3 x 40 min | 3 x 2 miles at goal pace | 12 miles | Longest run, race-pace practice |
| 11 | 2 to 3 x 30 min | 5 x 3 min at goal pace | 8 miles | Taper begins, stay sharp |
| 12 | 2 x 25 min easy | Short strides midweek | Race: 13.1 miles | Taper and race day |
Keep your easy runs genuinely easy, at a pace where you could hold a conversation. The single quality session each week is where the fitness gains live, and the long run teaches your body to keep going. Strength and mobility work is widely recommended to support running and help you stay durable through a training block, so two short sessions a week covering the core, hips and legs are a smart addition alongside the runs.
This is a general framework and assumes you already have a running base. If you are carrying an injury, in pain, or managing a health condition, speak to a physio or GP before you start, and stop and seek advice if anything flares up during training.
How should you pace it?
The most common mistake at any half marathon is starting too fast. The atmosphere and the fresh legs make the first couple of miles feel easy, and it is tempting to bank time. A better plan is to run the first three miles slightly slower than your target pace, settle into an even effort through the middle, and save anything extra for the final stretch. An even or slightly negative split, where the second half matches or beats the first, is how most personal bests are run.
Because the Royal Parks course is generally flat, your pacing does not need to account for big hills, so a steady rhythm works well. Use the water stations, which are typically spread across the route, to sip rather than gulp, and practise your race-day fuelling on your long runs so nothing is new on the day. If you are running your first half, let go of the clock and aim to finish strong and comfortable rather than chasing a specific time.
What should you know on race day?
October mornings in London can be crisp, so plan your kit around a warm-up you can discard at the start and clothing you will be comfortable running in once you are moving. Lay everything out the night before, including your bib, pins, shoes, socks and any fuel, and eat a familiar breakfast a couple of hours ahead. Arriving early gives you time to find your start area, use the facilities and drop your bag without rushing.
Because the race runs on closed roads through central London, some routes and stations are subject to change each year, so read the official event guide when it is published and check travel updates before you leave. Line up in the right start pen for your expected pace, keep your early miles controlled through the crowds, and take the first water station as a cue to settle rather than surge.
Most of all, look up and enjoy it. The finish in Kensington Gardens, in front of the Royal Albert Hall, is a memorable place to cross the line. For the definitive timetable, road closures and any changes to the 2026 event, always confirm the details on royalparkshalf.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Royal Parks Half Marathon and how do you enter?
It is a 13.1-mile road race through the heart of central London, run on closed roads through four royal parks in autumn. You enter through the free public ballot, a charity place, or a general entry, with the ballot drawn each winter for the following October. Check the current entry status on royalparkshalf.com.
When does the Royal Parks Half Marathon take place?
It is held each autumn, typically on a Sunday in October. The 2026 edition is reported to be Sunday 11 October 2026, as of July 2026. Dates can move year to year, so confirm on the official site before making plans.
Is the Royal Parks Half Marathon good for beginners?
Yes. The course is generally flat with only gentle undulations, runs on closed roads, and has a friendly atmosphere with strong crowd support, which makes it a popular choice for a first half marathon. With around 12 weeks of steady training from a running base, most everyday runners can reach the finish comfortably.
How long should you train for a half marathon?
Around 12 weeks works well if you already run a few times a week. Build your long run gradually towards 12 miles, keep most running easy, add one quality session a week, include an easier week roughly every fourth week, and finish with a taper so you arrive fresh on race day.
What does the Royal Parks Half Marathon route pass?
It passes through Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens, and by landmarks including Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, the Houses of Parliament and Kensington Palace. It starts in Hyde Park and finishes in Kensington Gardens near the Royal Albert Hall.
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Race details are accurate as of July 2026 and change every year. Always confirm the date, entry routes and fees on royalparkshalf.com. This guide is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a physio or GP before starting a plan if you have an injury, pain or a health condition.
