Photo: © Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon / The Royal Parks▶Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon
London, United Kingdom20th edition · since 2008At a glance
Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon 2027 takes place on 10 October 2027 in London, United Kingdom. Distances: 21.098 km. Start: South Carriage Drive, Hyde Park.
- Date
- Sunday, 10 October 2027
- Location
- London, United Kingdom
- Start
- South Carriage Drive, Hyde Park
- Finish
- Kensington Gardens, davanti all'Albert Memorial e alla Royal Albert Hall
- Distances
- Half marathon · 21.098 km · Competitive
- Registration
- Registration open · Register now ↗
- Organiser
- The Royal Parks ↗
- Official website
- royalparkshalf.com ↗
- Edition
- 20th edition · since 2008
Last updated: 19 October 2026
The race
The Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon is London's original half marathon: in 2008 it became the first to run through the heart of the city. It was set up by The Royal Parks, the charity that cares for London's eight Royal Parks, and has since raised over £80 million for more than 1,900 UK charities.
The 2027 edition, the 20th race, takes place on Sunday 10 October. The 13.1-mile course is on closed roads and generally flat: it starts in Hyde Park and runs through four Royal Parks (Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens).
Along the way it passes Buckingham Palace, Horse Guards Parade, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Kensington Palace and the Royal Albert Hall. Since 2025 the finish has been in Kensington Gardens, right in front of the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall.
The race puts sustainability first:
- wooden medals since the very first race (FSC-certified wood since 2012)
- digital-only communications and no plastic bottles at water stations
- runners who opt out of the finisher t-shirt fund nature projects in the parks
- since 2025, a separate ballot for overseas residents to limit air travel
The event village in Hyde Park, open to everyone, has food, partners, activities and the bag drop.
Videos
Course
The course is a single 13.1-mile lap on closed roads, starting in Hyde Park (South Carriage Drive) and finishing in Kensington Gardens. There are some gentle undulations, but it is considered a flat course, suitable for beginners and experienced runners alike.
Parks and landmarks
From Hyde Park the route heads to The Green Park and St James's Park, past Buckingham Palace. Since 2025 it has included Horse Guards Parade, with views of the London Eye, runs along The Mall twice and passes Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It then winds through the city streets before returning to the parks.
The finish
The final section comes back into Hyde Park along Serpentine Road, the loudest cheer mile of the race, passes Kensington Palace and finishes in front of the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. After the line there is a short walk to the event village to collect bags.
Water and support
- four water stations at miles 3.5, 6.5, 9.5 and 11 (subject to change), with refill points and compostable cups
- no energy gels: bring your own if you use them
- charity and sponsor cheer points all along the route
What's included
- Race pack
- Finisher medal
- Technical shirt
- Chip timing
- Cronometraggio
- Aid stations
- Bag drop
- Pacers
- Toilets
- Race photos
- Race expo
Rules and requirements
How to take part
Places are allocated by ballot: you can already register your interest for 2027 on the website, and details will be sent early in 2027. Since 2025 runners living outside the UK enter a separate ballot, and the race no longer works with international tour operators. There are also charity places and a corporate race. The 2027 entry fee has not yet been published.
Requirements (2026 rules)
- minimum age 17 on race day
- the race is not UK Athletics-licensed, so results do not go to Power of 10
- headphones are allowed, but watch for marshals' signals
- participants with disabilities are welcome, with a dedicated accessibility guide
Start and time limit (2026 rules)
In 2026 the first wave started at 8:45 and the last between 9:30 and 9:45; the village opens at 7:30. The cut-off is 4 hours after the last wave starts (about 11:23 per km): slower runners may be moved onto the pavement. You can move back to a later wave, but not forward to an earlier one.
Race pack and facilities (2026 rules)
UK residents receive their pack by post; overseas runners collect it in London on Friday at Marathon House (190 Great Dover Street) or on Saturday in the Hyde Park event village, including by nominated person. There is a bag drop (small backpacks only), pacers carrying flags and toilets on the route; there are no showers or changing facilities.
Transfers
In 2026 ballot places could be transferred to another person until 1 September; after that date no changes were possible, including predicted time or address.
