2025’s half marathon went on sale to those that took part this year during the weekend of the Hackney Moves festival, before going on general sale a few days later, and has now sold out of all general sale entries.

However, those wanting to sign up for the half marathon still can via the event’s official charity partners.

2024’s edition, with almost 25,000 entrants, helped to raise more than £2 million for charities, with participants for next year’s event able to run for a host of charities including headline partner Alzheimer’s Society and several local good causes like The Felix Project, Barts Charity, Hackney Night Shelter, and St Joseph’s Hospice Hackney.

The Wizz Air 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, 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.

Hackney Moves also organises the free-to-enter Community 5k, which saw nearly 6,000 entrants in 2024, as well as the local Schools’ Challenge which sees children from across East London complete the final mile of the challenge.

Ian Allerton, Director of Operations for Hackney Moves said: “Off the back of another sell-out and hugely successful Wizz Air Hackney Half in 2024, the popularity of the event is at an all-time high, with general entries selling out for 2025 in under two weeks, with unprecedented demand.

“With the event’s growth comes the chance to provide even more engagement with the community, and there are plenty of exciting ways that runners can still register for the 2025 Wizz Air Hackney Half, with new and improved offerings for charities and community groups.

“We are engaging with our current, and new, charity partners to fundraise even more than the £2m+ raised in 2024. This means increasing the number of places available for our fantastic charities.

“As an event at the heart of the Hackney community, we work with various local organisations, community and running groups and are looking to continue developing these relationships further to provide even more opportunities, via our distribution of discounted community places.

“The half marathon is just one part of the ever-growing Hackney Moves festival which offers free activities for the community to get involved in. A vital element for us is the free Community 5k, which offers an accessible distance and challenge for all, and the Schools’ Challenge.

“Our work with running clubs and community groups is crucial to Hackney Moves, despite the continued increases in the operational running costs for major event. We want to ensure that the event remains accessible to the local Hackney and wider London community who are at the heart of the event’s existence.”

The famous Wizz Air Hackney Half 13.1 mile route sets off from Hackney Marshes, making its way to the famous Hackney Empire before reaching the Stonebridge Gardens. Crossing the halfway point the runners passed the Regents Canal, making their way to Victoria Park before the final stretch through the iconic Hackney Wick.

For more information on charity places for the 2025 Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon, visit www.hackneymoves.com

With thanks to New Reach PR

However, those who haven’t yet secured their place need not worry, as there are still charity places available for the event, which is expected to see over 13,000 take to the streets of Oxford.

The Oxford Half, taking place on Sunday 13 October, sold out in record time this year, having been on sale since mid-October last year, breaking the previous year’s record to sell-out of 11 months.

Event organisers, who also run the annual Blenheim Palace Triathlon taking place on 1-2 June, have confirmed that the only way to secure a place for the popular event is by running in support of one of the event’s charity partners.

Among the event’s official national charity partners, led by Headline Charity Partner Cancer Research UK, are Alzheimer’s Society and Macmillan Cancer Support.

Local charity partners include Special Effect, Sobell House Hospice, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, SSNAP (Supporting sick newborn and their parents), Restore, Yellow Submarine, Helen & Douglas House and Oxford Hospitals Charity.

A full list of charity partners is available at www.oxfordhalf.com/run-for-charity

The fast and flat Oxford Half has become one of the most-popular half marathons in the UK, with large crowds providing support along the 13.1-mile route, and dozens of local volunteers helping on the day.

Ian Allerton, Operations Director, said: “We couldn’t be happier to see the continued popularity of the Oxford Half, as once again it sells out of general entries in record time. Each year the event is selling even quicker, which is testament to the quality of the organisation as well as the overall experience and route, which is perfect for both beginners, or those trying to secure a PB through the historic streets of Oxford.

“In Oxford, we place a huge importance on supporting charities and that’s why we have a large number of spots available to charities for this year’s half marathon, aiming to fundraise a considerable amount of money for worthwhile causes.”

The course takes runners through the pristine, winding streets of historic Oxford. The route begins in the city centre and passes through the stunning sites of Old Marston village, the River Cherwell, Oxford University’s impressive Lady Margaret Hall, before finally finishing on Parks Road.

For more information on how to secure a charity place visit: www.oxfordhalf.com

With thanks to New Reach PR

The Trendell Sports Scholar, who is in the first year of a Sports & Social Science course, was all smiles as she crossed the line in 1:12:54 – the second-fastest half-marathon by a British woman this year.

She tweeted: “Can’t believe what just happened! Amazing morning @readinghalf Think I may run a 1/2 again one day #Buzzed”

It continued an impressive run of form for Nesbitt, who led Great Britain to team silver at the World University Cross Country Championships in Italy last month. She also won team gold at the European Cross County Championships in December.

Report courtesy of Team Bath Press Office via Matchtight

For Bob Smith (pictured above with comedian Russell Howard), Senior Strength & Conditioning Coach with the Team Bath MCTA International High-Performance Tennis Academy, it was his 11^th half-marathon in as many weeks as he continues his inspirational fundraising effort for the Wallace & Gromit Grand Appeal at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

His baby daughter Autumn was rushed to the hospital’s Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) in November with a life-threatening heart condition called Supraventricular Tachycardia.

After five days of expert care, Autumn was allowed to return home and, while requiring more treatment in the future, is now a happy and healthy five-month-old.

To say thank you to the hospital, Bob is taking on a half-marathon every week during 2016 with the aim of raising the £8,000 that Autumn’s treatment cost.

The current total is just short of £3,200 after his efforts in the Bath Half, which Bob described as “a runner’s high”.

“It was a fantastic day,” he said. “The weather was perfect, a cool Spring morning without a cloud in the sky, while the crowds were huge and so supportive.

“I really pleased with my three-minute PB on a flat course. It goes to show that all the suffering of the last ten weeks is having a good effect on my fitness!”

For more information about Bob’s fundraising efforts or to make a donation, visit https://www.justgiving.com/bobsm100/

Team Bath Netball captain Eboni Beckford-Chambers also took part in Sunday’s race, less than 24 hours after the Vitality Netball Superleague match at Surrey Storm.

She was running for Cancer Research UK in memory of her aunt, Norma Jacqueline Beckford-Walker, and has so far raised nearly £400. Donations can be made at https://www.justgiving.com/Eboni-Beckford-Chambers.

Eleven members of staff at the University of Bath ran the Bath Half to raise money for a sports development charity in Africa.

The University has been involved for the past ten years with the UK Sport IDEALS project in Zambia, which sees students spending six weeks in the African country working in schools and villages to deliver PE lessons, sporting competitions and health awareness workshops.

Donations can be made at https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/universityofbathteambathhalf

Tens of thousands of spectators turned out to cheer on the runners, including World, Olympic and European rowing champion Helen Glover.

She was back in the city where she first learnt to row – with the GB Rowing Team Start programme at the University of Bath – to support her mother and sister as they ran the race.

Report courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight Ltd.

All sponsorship money raised by the team on Sunday, March 13 will go towards funding the UK Sport IDEALS project in Zambia.

The University’s Department of Sports Development has been involved in the project for the past ten years, with students spending six weeks in the African country working in schools and villages to deliver PE lessons, sporting competitions and health awareness workshops.

Past students to have taken part include Bristol Academy footballer Grace McCatty, who described the experience as “six weeks that genuinely changed my life”.

This year’s participants are busy raising the money needed to fund their travel and are undertaking a 7,220-mile static cycle at the University, matching the distance from Bath to Zambian capital Lusaka.

Staff are also supporting their efforts by signing up for the Bath Half, which sees more than 13,000 runners take to the city’s streets.

The team consists of Catherine Evans (Facilities Sales & Development Manager), Rich Turner (Senior Membership Sales Consultant), Ben Coombs (Track Controller), Rob Whalley (Sports Duty Manager), James Lambdon (Lifestyle & Sports Psychology), Chris Burling (Sports Training & Development Manager), Che Wilson (Head of Football), Zoe Ashman (3:Thirty Workforce Development Officer), Mehul Karia and Steph Courty (Sports Science Placement Students), and Jody Paul (Head Hockey Coach).

To sponsor the team, visit https://mydonate.bt.com/charities/universityofbathteambathhalf

Report courtesy of the Team Bath Press Office at Matchtight