01 / KNOW THE ROUTE
What the course asks of you
Start patiently in Hyde Park
Runners gather on South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park and start in waves. The opening section runs on closed central London roads past major landmarks, and it is busy. Treat the first mile as a chance to find space and settle your breathing.
Run with the changing scenery
The organiser describes a route through four of the eight Royal Parks. Moving between city streets and park roads means more turns and changes of rhythm than on a straight city course. In training, practise picking your effort back up after a corner instead of surging to make up a few seconds.
Finish by the Albert Memorial
The race finishes outside the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. Plan a point in the final miles to check your effort and decide how hard to push for the finish, so you are not deciding while crowds are passing you.
02 / BUILD THE BLOCK
How to prepare
Build a reliable long run
Steady road endurance is the base for this race. Build an easy long run gradually until running for about your expected finishing time feels routine, with a lighter week every few weeks.
Practise turns and changes of rhythm
Plan some steady runs on park loops or routes with plenty of corners. Practise getting back to race effort smoothly after each turn so you do not waste energy accelerating.
Rehearse carrying your own fuel
The organiser provides water stations but no gels. Use your long runs to practise carrying and taking the fuel you plan to use on race day.
Keep the running and strength work in one place. Explore MaxMile for your Royal Parks Half Marathon preparation, or compare the levels of personal coaching.
03 / PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
Pace the race you have trained for
Start in your allocated wave and stay patient while the field spreads out on the opening roads. An even effort tends to work better than a fast start, especially on a course with several turns between roads and parks.
Pacers are available. If you follow one, keep paying attention to your own effort. If you are running alone, take your planned fuel at fixed times and check your effort at halfway. Only push harder in the last few miles if you still feel in control.
04 / MAKE ROOM FOR TRAINING
When should your block start?
The 2027 race is on Sunday 10 October. A 12-week half-marathon block would begin around Sunday 18 July 2027, so most of the key training falls in the summer holidays. Plan longer runs for cooler parts of the day and around any trips away.
Entry is mainly by ballot or charity place, and the 2027 ballot details are due early in 2027. Use the spring to build a steady base so you are ready to start the block if you get a place. Taper over the final week or so in early October.
05 / SORT THE PRACTICAL BITS
Kit and race-weekend planning
The event village and bag drop are in Hyde Park, near the start. Knightsbridge station is about 12 minutes’ walk and Hyde Park Corner about 15 minutes, according to the organiser. Allow extra time for the walk and for queues at the bag drop.
There are no showers or changing facilities, so bring warm, dry clothes for after the race. The organiser does not provide gels, so carry the fuel you have practised with. Headphones are allowed, but keep the volume low enough to hear marshals’ instructions.
