01 / KNOW THE ROUTE
What the course asks of you
Green Park and the run to the university
The race starts on Longwater Avenue, and the organiser says the first mile is inside the Green Park business park. The route then follows Basingstoke Road, Whitley Wood Road and Shinfield Road into the grounds of the University of Reading. The organiser describes the course as undulating, so expect some rolling sections in this part of the race.
Through the town centre
From the university, the route follows Christchurch Road, London Road and London Street into the centre. It passes under The Oracle, through the historic Abbey Arch and past the Maiwand Lion in the Forbury area. The organiser highlights a party at mile 8, with bands and DJs, which is a good lift before the final third.
West Reading and the stadium finish
The route continues along Oxford Road and Tilehurst Road, then Bath Road, Coley Avenue and Berkeley Avenue to Rose Kiln Lane. The final section follows the A33 to Reading Football Club Stadium, where you finish on the halfway line inside the stadium.
02 / BUILD THE BLOCK
How to prepare
Train on rolling roads
With an undulating course, include rolling routes in your easy and long runs. Practise keeping your effort steady on the rises, and relax on the descents rather than charging them.
Build steady half-marathon endurance
Grow your weekly long run gradually through the winter so 13.1 miles feels comfortable. Add steady or tempo blocks a little slower than 10K effort and extend the time at that effort as the race gets closer.
Plan for a winter block
Most of your training will be in January and February. Plan long runs in daylight, wear high-visibility kit on dark evenings, and move a session indoors or swap days if the roads are icy.
Keep the running and strength work in one place. Explore MaxMile for your Reading Half Marathon preparation, or compare the levels of personal coaching.
03 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Pace the race you have trained for
Start in the coloured zone on your race bib. The organiser offers pacers at five-minute intervals from 1:20 to 2:30, plus 2:40, 2:50 and 3:00, and they run to chip time. If you use one, start close to them. The organiser also warns against trying to bank time early.
On an undulating course, pace by effort rather than exact mile splits. Use the town-centre landmarks and the mile 8 party to check you are still controlled. If you have energy left on the A33, build gradually towards the stadium finish.
04 / MAKE ROOM FOR TRAINING
When should your block start?
The 2027 Reading Half is on Sunday 21 March. A 12-week half-marathon block would begin around Sunday 27 December 2026, so the first week falls between Christmas and New Year. A 10-week block would start around Sunday 10 January 2027. Through November and December, build a regular easy routine and a comfortable long run so you start the block already consistent.
The key sessions then fall in February and early March, with short days and cold, wet weather. Taper over the final week or two. Easter Sunday is 28 March 2027, a week after the race, which leaves the holiday free for recovery.
05 / SORT THE PRACTICAL BITS
Kit and race-weekend planning
The organiser lists race-pack collection at Reading Football Club Stadium on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 March 2027, with your entry confirmation and photo ID. There is no collection on race day, but a help desk opens at 07:00 for replacements. Posted packs go out in February and March. The organiser’s FAQ lists a 10:15 start for the half marathon.
There is no parking at the stadium. Official car parks must be booked with your entry. Shuttle buses run from Reading station, and the organiser suggests arriving by 08:45. Allow 15 to 20 minutes to walk from the race village to the start. Water stations are at about miles 3, 6, 9 and 12. Only bone-conduction headphones are allowed, and there are no showers or changing facilities.
