General entries for 2025 sold out in record time back in January and the event is now fully booked with next year’s event now the next time hopeful participants can take part.

Official charity places were available to represent one of the Oxford Half’s 18 charity partners, including local charities like Sobell House Hospice, Thames Valley Air Ambulance and Yellow Submarine, among others.

National charities like Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support are also partnered with the event. The event last October saw over £1million raised for the official charity partners alongside thousands more raised by general entry participants running for good causes.

Motiv Sports, who organise the event, also host the Blenheim Palace Triathlon in June and earlier this year saw 7,000 participants take on that challenge. Attention now turns to October 12 when the Oxford Half sees 13,000 make their way through the city.

The race takes runners through the pristine streets of the historic city, out to Old Marston village and the River Cherwell, with University Parks hosting the event village that will house an array of vendors and entertainment for participants and spectators to celebrate together post-race.

To find out more about the Oxford Half marathon, donate or register your interest for 2026, visit: https://www.oxfordhalf.com/

With thanks to New Reach

The 10k, hosted by the organisers of the iconic Hackney Half Marathon, will see thousands of runners take on the new closed-road route through the vibrant streets of Shoreditch.

The route, which will be packed with on-route activations, entertainment and Shoreditch-style energy, will pass through some of Shoreditch’s most iconic areas, including Hoxton Street Market, Regent’s Canal and De Beauvoir Town.

The race will start at Bridport Place, heading towards Rosemary Gardens. Along the way, runners and spectators will enjoy cheer zones, live music and a high-energy atmosphere from start to finish, with runners crossing the finish line at the other end of Bridport Place, by Shoreditch Park.

Taking place on Sunday 21 September, the first-ever Saucony Run Shoreditch promises an unforgettable experience, with the official event village in Shoreditch Park hosting a range of activities, entertainment and refreshments.

Entries for East London’s newest running race are selling quickly. To secure your place, visit www.runshoreditch.com

With thanks to New Reach

The reasons why people flock to these events are vast and varied, from the downright ridiculous to pulling on the heartstrings.

When signing up, participants often share their reason for taking part, and here are just ten of the more emotive responses from the thousands sifted through by the organisers, to celebrate the challenge of taking on the 10,000-metre distance.

1. Craig, 41 – Running with courage

Diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma earlier this year, Craig chose to lace up his running shoes and take on the 10k to raise both awareness and funds for cancer charities. Amid his own battle, he’s turning his diagnosis into a mission of hope for others.

2. Anastasiia, 37 – Volunteer inspiration

Last year, Anastasiia volunteered at the event, handing out medals to tired but elated finishers. She was so inspired by the energy and determination of participants that she’s running the race herself this weekend.

3. Katy, 53 – An inspiring comeback

Katy’s journey to the start line has been anything but easy. She signed up for the event in 2021, only to suffer a stroke just weeks before race day. A second stroke, heart procedure, and back surgery followed. Now she hopes to finally complete the race in 2025.

4. Jamie, 31 – Running for family

Having never ran any significant distance before, Jamie is taking on the 10k for two of reasons: his brother-in-law is currently in a coma following cancer treatment, and he recently lost his grandfather to the same disease. His run is a tribute to both.

5. Claire, 45 – In memory of dad

Claire had planned to run this last year, but life had other plans. Her father passed away just days before the event. Now, she hopes to cross the finish line in his honour. Her dad always loved seeing her medals, making that moment all the more poignant.

6. Andy, 42 – Shouldering the weight

Andy will be running the entire 10k with a 24.7kg backpack, as part of the Share the Weight campaign, which raises awareness for mental health and suicide prevention. Every step taken by those involved represents the invisible weight many carry around with them.

7. Kerry, 50 – 25 in 2025

Kerry is on a mission: 25 running events in 2025. The Saucony London 10k marks one milestone in her ambitious challenge, raising money for charity along the way and proving that age is no barrier.

8. Emma, 37 – A personal triumph

Emma is one year postpartum and having got back into running, is already chasing a personal best at the 10k. A worthy reason alone, she is also raising funds for the charity that helped save her baby’s life.

9. Julian, 49 – A gift of love

For Julian, this race isn’t about personal bests, it’s about love. To celebrate 21 years of marriage, he’s running the race with his wife as a gift for their anniversary.

10. Francesca, 33 – Defying her diagnosis

Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, Francesca refuses to let it define her. With the help of a strict health regime and the unwavering support of her partner, she conquered a 5k last year. Now, she’s back for more and determined to go double distance. In her own words, she just wants to continue to, “keep kicking its butt to the best of my ability.”

All these reasons, and the thousands not mentioned, are the heart of the Saucony London 10k. As they take their place on the starting line this Sunday, they’ll be cheered not just for their speed, but for their stories, spirit, and strength.

Unable to secure a spot this year? Entries to the 2026 Saucony London 10K open on Tuesday 14 July. Register your interest to ensure you don’t miss out again.

Find out more at: https://www.thelondon10k.com/

With thanks to New Reach

We’ve got you covered. Look no further than the upcoming Blenheim Palace Triathlon, taking place from 7 – 8 June. Here are five key reasons why it’ll be the perfect event to take on next:

The ONLY triathlon in the world at a UNESCO World Heritage Site

The picturesque grounds of the iconic Blenheim Palace set the scene for an in incredible event. The palace, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has extensive gardens, countryside and lakes, the perfect place to swim-bike-run and feel your best self.

The views on offer around the route are incredible and worth your attendance alone, so whether you’re there as a participant or spectator make sure to get around the grounds and take it all in.

Beginner-friendly

Blenheim is considered to be one of the more accessible triathlons in the UK and is a favourite for first timers. The variety of distances available make it work for anyone, options like the Super Sprint, Team Relay, and Weekend Warrior, make it completely customisable. This year there is also a duathlon – run-bike-run – for those who don’t want to swim.

Celebs and elites participating

You could be competing with some famous names across the weekend, with a huge number of elite triathletes, sporting stars and celebs taking on the Blenheim Palace Triathlon in recent years.

From the Brownlee brothers, Vicky Holland and Anya Culling to F1 driver Jenson Button, actor Mark Lewis-Jones, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, and Pippa Middleton – to name but a few.

Make sure you’re on the lookout over the event weekend; you might be right alongside a famous name.

Family-friendly

The atmosphere around the grounds makes for the perfect family day out. Whether supporting a participant or just coming along to experience the day, there’s plenty to get up to in the event village which will house food and drink vendors and exhibitors. Around the venue you can experience stunning scenery, walled gardens and take on the Palace’s maze.

The route is designed to allow easy movement for spectators to follow the race and see their triathlete in action. There are positions in place to watch everything from the swim start to the bike transition and the big finish.

Historic setting and venue

Blenheim Palace is steeped in history, and here are some of the best facts you may not know about the venue:

• It is the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.
• Many iconic films have been filmed there, including James Bond’s Spectre, Harry Potter and The BFG movie.
• It was used as a recovery hospital for wounded soldiers during World War One, and the grounds were used to grow vegetables as part of the British war effort
• The Palace has remained within the home of the Spencer-Churchill family for over 300 years and remains a private residence today
• The Palace is the only non-royal country house in the UK that holds the designation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site

A handful of places remain for the 2025 event and entries for 2026 go on sale to the public on Wednesday 11 June. Sign up via the website here https://www.blenheimtriathlon.com/.

With thanks to New Reach PR

London’s biggest half marathon, the Hackney Half, has once again broken its sell-out record, with general entries to next year’s half marathon selling out two days after 2025’s conclusion.

Runners at this year’s event were offered a finisher exclusivity window on the same day as the half marathon, with those entries selling out within 14 minutes. The remainder of the general sale entries became available to waitlist registrants on the Monday afternoon, selling out the next day.

The Hackney Half Marathon has risen in popularity in recent years, with 2026’s sales completing four consecutive record sell-outs. Event organisers pride themselves on delivering not only a high-quality half marathon, but also an inclusive, diverse and exciting two-day free festival of activity, Hackney Moves.

Those wanting to sign up for 2026’s Hackney Half still can via the event’s official charity partners.

2025’s edition helped to raise more than £4 million for charities, with participants for next year’s event able to run for a host of charities including new headline partner Single Homeless Project, Alzheimer’s Society, Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, Movember and Parkinson’s UK, along with a number of local charities including Hackney Night Shelter and Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest.

The Hackney Half has cemented its position as London’s biggest and most popular half marathon, as part of the ever-growing two-day Hackney Moves festival.

Hackney Moves festival welcomed over 60,000 people to Hackney Marshes this year, as thousands took part in, and supported London’s largest, and most popular, half-marathon. Hackney Moves, which takes place on the iconic Hackney Marshes, hosts free family-friendly activity across both days from fitness classes and educational talks, to DJ sets, community group engagement, and fun activities for young people and adults alike.

Event organisers launched a new community initiative for 2025, developed to further engage and integrate the London-running community and other key community organisations in the half marathon. The programme aimed to increase accessibility for the local community by understanding all the barriers to participation from across different sections of the community. Community Partners and Champions commanded a strong presence before and during Hackney Moves, with members of the 12-week Hackney Academy group all taking part in the half.

Motiv Sports, the event organiser, will host a further two events in the capital this year: the Saucony London 10k on 13 July and Saucony Run Shoreditch on 21 September, also hosting the Blenheim Palace Triathlon from 7-8 June and finishing off the year with the Oxford Half on 12 October.

With thanks to Motiv Sports via New Reach PR

Franco, who began studying and training at the University of Bath in October, was selected for the April accolade after finishing a fantastic fourth for British Triathlon – just four seconds outside the medals – at the European U23 Duathlon Championships in Poland. Her time of 57:32 was also good enough for a top-10 spot in the senior rankings.

She had qualified for the Europeans by winning individual and team gold for the University at November’s BUCS Duathlon Championships, and enjoyed more medal success in the Blue & Gold during the recent May Bank Holiday Weekend as she won women’s silver at the BUCS Sprint Triathlon Championships in Tavistock.

“It’s really a huge honour to be selected as Athlete of the Month here at the University of Bath, amongst some of the best athletes in the world,” said Franco, one of more than 160 student-athletes supported in their dual careers by the Student Performance Sport Breakthrough Programme.

“A year ago, when I was just beginning my journey into triathlon and choosing my PhD in Bath, I couldn’t have imagined that I’d be representing my country on an elite stage and be a serious contender in a championship race.

“I started here back in October and did BUCS Duathlon the following month. It’s all kind of skyrocketed from there as that win earned me a place at the Europeans where I finished fourth, which was honestly completely unexpected. The race was intense, fast, and unforgiving—everything you’d expect at the elite level – and I gave everything I had to stay competitive right to the finish.

“It was such an honour to race with the British team and be amongst some of the best athletes. It’s been a really great experience having such a successful season and it’s only the beginning!”

Franco joined Bath to progress both her academic and sporting careers. She is a Research Programme in Health PhD student, researching the relationship between muscle loss and body fat in ageing, and does her running, swimming and strength and conditioning training at the Team Bath Sports Training Village, home to a British Triathlon Performance Pathway Centre. Cycling takes place at the nearby Odd Down Sports Ground.

“Joining the Bath Triathlon Centre has been the biggest game changer of my sporting career,” said Franco, who is coached by Jack Hall. “The coach and athletes have welcomed me with open arms, made training really fun and they’ve been tremendous in getting me to the next level.

“It’s completely different to how I was training before and I can’t be more grateful to have this professional and individualised training set-up while also being in an amazing group. Thank you so much to everyone that has got me here.”

The Athlete of the Month award celebrates the achievements, commitment and dedication of student-athletes on the Breakthrough Programme, which provides bespoke support designed to help student-athletes maximise their academic and sporting potential. Applications for the 2025-26 academic year open on Friday 30th May, visit www.teambath.com/breakthrough-programme for more information.

Both the award and the Breakthrough Programme are supported by Team Bath partners Rengen, whose headquarters are based in Argyle Street in Bath city centre. They have extensive experience in the development of boutique purpose-built student accommodation, residential accommodation and commercial units. Find out more by visiting rengendevelopments.com and rengenlettings.com

Lead Photo shows Team Bath Rengen Athlete of the Month Isabelle Franco (centre) with University of Bath Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley and Performance Sport Officer Sarah Collin

With thanks to Team Bath

Alongside the half marathon, Hackney Marshes will be transformed into the Hackney Moves festival, with free entertainment, music and fitness sessions delivered to runners and spectators, completing a fun-filled weekend that epitomises the vibrant spirit of the East London borough.

Whether you’re taking part or going along to support, here is absolutely everything you need to know to make the most of the Hackney Moves weekend.

When is it?

The half marathon is on Sunday 18 May with the first runners setting off at 09:00, with final finishers crossing the line at 13:30. There will be large crowds in the festival village so runners should arrive a minimum of one hour before their start time.

Runners must collect their event pack on Friday or Saturday from the event village, unless already received by post.

The wider festival is open on both the Saturday (09:00 – 18:00) and Sunday (07:00 – 16:00).

Where is it?

Starting and ending on Hackney Marshes, the route for the Wizz Air Hackney Half 2025 includes Mare Street Market, the famous town hall, Hackney Wick, Hackney Picturehouse, Victoria Park, and the Hackney Empire.

Where to watch?

There is so much for spectators to see during the race, from spotting your runner to catching DJs and dance groups at various checkpoints along the route.

The full route is available here which details a spectator walking route that helps avoid crossing.

Who’s running?

A host of stars are set to take on the half marathon again this year including mother and son duo, Ross and Diane, from Traitors season 2. YouTubers WillNE, Reev and Lewis Bowden will also be competing, as well as TikTok sensation ItalianBach.

Festival lineup

The full Hackney Moves festival lineup is available here to help plan your weekend out in the Hackney sunshine. The free festival is a brilliant day out for families, with activities and entertainment for all ages on offer across the weekend.

Fitness sessions and live music will take place on the main stages while group exercises and other activities will be offered across the event village. A host of traders will be onsite, too, providing local food and drink, fitness merchandise and so much more.

Official Hackney Moves Community Champions and Partner organisations will also have presence in the event village and on route, for people to find out more and sign up to get involved in their fitness initiatives.

Travel

Tube:

Stratford Station – 25-minute walk through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park
Leyton Station – 20-minute walk

Overground:

Hackney Wick – 25-minute walk
Clapton – 30-minute walk
Homerton Station will be closed on the morning of Hackney Moves.

Car: Not recommended due to road closures, but paid parking is available at Westfield Stratford City which is a 25-minute walk away.

Bike or on foot: Organisers recommend cycling, walking or using an e-bike to attend, with bike rack facilities next to the event village.

Event partners

Several new partners will be present on race day, including Tinder – with a Tinder Zone on route for runners to experience. Tribe, Hoop Chips, VITHIT and Powerade will also have stations in the event village while also providing fuel to those taking on the half marathon.

How to register for 2026

The Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon is as popular as ever selling out in just two weeks last year. 2026 entries go live exclusively to finishers on race day before going to those who have signed up for early access, so it is highly recommended hopeful participants register their interest now.

https://www.hackneymoves.com/

Photo: Motiv Sports

17,000 runners are preparing to charge through the capital on July 13, supported by thousands of Londoners.

The iconic 10k race, which has sold out in record time over three months before race day, has launched a waitlist for 2026 as running continues to experience a boom in popularity. This event, alongside many others across the country, have recently seen an increase in interest as people are placing a priority on their health and enjoyment, utilising organised events as the ideal way to support their wellbeing.

Event organisers, Motiv Sports, also host the Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon in May and have now announced a brand-new event in the capital, Saucony – Run Shoreditch, coming this September. General entries for the race are now available after early access period sold out within an hour of opening.

Photo: Motiv Sports

The event organisers pride themselves on delivering strong community engagement in all areas they host events, while powerful charity partnerships raise millions each year across the Motiv portfolio. 2024’s Saucony London 10k raised around half a million pounds for charity.

Participants in the Saucony London 10k won’t just be buoyed on by friends and family but also by live music taking place every kilometre creating a party atmosphere. The closed-road race takes in iconic sights like Big Ben and the London Eye, with title partner Saucony among the brands providing exclusive activations and opportunities throughout the streets of London.

Ian Allerton, Operations Director at Motiv Sports, said: “We’re so pleased to see the Saucony London 10k sell out once again. The demand for running events continues to grow which is something we have seen across our events.

“It’s brilliant to work with Saucony to deliver the London 10k and we can’t wait to work with them again for the debut of Run Shoreditch. London is such an energetic city; we love all our events in the capital and hopefully they will continue to celebrate running and the health benefits it offers and inspire people to try it themselves.”

Motiv Sports also organise the Oxford Half Marathon and Blenheim Palace Triathlon with several of their events seeing record sell outs in the last few years.

To find out more about the Saucony London 10k and sign up to the waiting list, visit: https://www.thelondon10k.com/

Participants had their chance to give their reasons for signing up to the 13-mile challenge. As is often the case, many runners have inspirational tales of fundraising, overcoming hardship, or in memory of their loved ones. Some are chasing personal bests while others are in it just for the buzz of crossing that finish line.

Here are some of the alternative answers from local heroes who are gearing up for the race in May.

It’s a chance to lookback on old times for 52-year-old, Sha, “it reminds me of my upbringing, the streets of Hackney allow me to reminisce on my childhood. I have run Hackney each year since 2014 and will continue to do so for as long as I can.”

Weddings, both recent and afar, are inspiring some runners. Bethany is looking “to help with post wedding blues” while Nicolas is celebrating their “20th wedding anniversary.”

Love seems to be in the air with several runners citing it as inspiration. Jarrod simply said, “a girl I like told me to buy ticket.” Aleksander, however, was given little choice by his partner, “my girlfriend said we don’t do anything together, so I had to accept so I have an excuse.”

Henry is hoping to defy his prognosis, “I was told two years ago by a doctor that I would never run again. I was hoping to run in 2024 Hackney Half, but my health wouldn’t let me. 2025 is my year.”

Lara, meanwhile, has given in to the runner’s lifestyle, “I don’t run, I have never run, I have been peer pressured. But I have started drinking collagen and spirulina smoothies, so this feels like the obvious next step.”

Milo plain and simply said “I want a six pack.”

A number of Londoners are simply looking for bragging rights, like Padelis, who said “I have a bet with a friend, and I will win the bet.”

Similarly, Nicolas wants to “be faster than my colleague Marta who inspired me to take the challenge.”

The 2025 Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon is sold-out, but you can register your interest for 2026 at https://www.hackneymoves.com/

With thanks to New Reach

Images: https://we.tl/t-5MaFKCObkY (credit: Motiv Sports)

The race, which takes place on 12 October, has officially sold out of general entry places in January, the earliest the event has ever seen. 2022 saw the event sell out in September, just a month before runners took to the streets, and 2023’s places were filled by late May.

Organised by Motiv Sports UK, the Oxford Half is an historic, annual race through the city that sees thousands of locals come out to support runners. University Parks hosts the event village which has a selection of activities and entertainment for runners and spectators to enjoy when celebrating together post-race.

Last year, 13,000 runners took part in the half marathon, ranging from first-timers, seasoned runners, those in fancy dress and an elite field.

With all general entries now filled, the only way to still take part in the Half is through its charity places. These places see runners represent one of the race’s official charity partners, which between them raised over £1 million last October.

There is a total of 18 charity partners that participants can represent, including national charities like Cancer Research UK, Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support. The event also partners with a selection of local charities including Helen & Douglas House, Thames Valley Air Ambulance and SSNAP (supporting sick newborn and their parents), among others.

Emily Whitaker, Head of Event Operations, said: “It’s great to see the Oxford Half sell out for a third year running. There’s no better feedback than people racing to sign up quickly and we’re delighted to reach this point months quicker than last year.

“It is a testament to everyone involved and to the city itself, for generating such an incredible atmosphere every year and inspiring more people to take part. Hopefully, the charity places will be taken up soon and we can exceed 2024’s fundraising total as well. We’re really looking forward to delivering this year’s sold-out event.”

In addition to the Oxford Half, Motiv Sports UK also manage the Blenheim Palace Triathlon in June, close road cycle Etape Caledonia, the Hackney Moves festival which includes the iconic Wizz Air Hackney Half as well as the Saucony London 10k in the capital.

For the full list of partner charities and to sign up with them, visit: https://www.oxfordhalf.com/are-you-a-fundraiser

With thanks to New Reach