Why is the Royal Parks Half Marathon so special? The Royal Parks Half Marathon, first held in 2008, is London's original half marathon. This 13.1-mile race takes runners through the heart of London, showcasing iconic landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament. What sets it apart is its route through four of London’s eight Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens. Beyond its scenic course, the event has raised nearly £65 million for over 1,200 UK charities. With a strong focus on sustainability, the marathon aims to reach net-zero by 2027, making it a beloved event for both runners and the environment.
Key Takeaways:
- The Royal Parks Half Marathon is a beloved London tradition, showcasing iconic landmarks and supporting charity. It's committed to sustainability and has a significant impact on the community and the environment.
- With a scenic route and strong charity focus, the Royal Parks Half Marathon attracts diverse participants and significant media attention. It's a fun and impactful event that contributes to the conservation of London's Royal Parks.
The Royal Parks Half Marathon: A London Tradition
The Royal Parks Half Marathon is a beloved event in London, drawing runners from all over the world. Let's dive into some fascinating facts about this iconic race.
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Inauguration: The Royal Parks Half Marathon began in 2008, making it London's original half marathon.
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Route: This 13.1-mile course takes runners through the heart of London, showcasing many of the city's world-famous landmarks on closed roads.
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Royal Parks: The race route includes four of London’s eight Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens.
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Landmarks: Participants run past iconic landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.
The Event Village and Charity Focus
The event village is a bustling hub of activity, and the marathon has a strong focus on charity.
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Event Village: The event village offers a variety of food, drinks, and entertainment for spectators and runners alike.
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Charity Focus: The marathon was set up by The Royal Parks charity to help conserve and enhance London’s Royal Parks.
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Fundraising Success: Since its inception, the event has raised nearly £65 million for over 1,200 UK charities, including The Royal Parks, GOSH, and Mind.
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Charity Partners: The marathon supports a broad range of charities, from small community groups to large national organizations.
Sustainability and Awards
The Royal Parks Half Marathon is committed to sustainability and has received numerous awards.
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Sustainability Efforts: The event aims to be as green and sustainable as possible, with a commitment to reaching net-zero by 2027. Currently, 66% of all waste from the event is recycled.
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Awards and Recognition: The marathon has received numerous awards, including the Bronze for Best Half Marathon over 5,000 Participants in 2019 and the Most Effective Use Of Mass Participation Sponsorship in 2018.
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Runner's World Recognition: In 2017, it was awarded Best New Race of the Decade by Runner's World.
Corporate Participation and Sponsorship
Corporate teams play a significant role in the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
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Corporate Participation: The event includes a competitive challenge for corporate teams of 4-7 people, with trophies awarded for fastest male, female, and mixed teams.
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Corporate Sponsorship: Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) is the presenting partner of the Royal Parks Half Marathon and sponsor of the ‘Royal Bank of Canada Corporate 13.1’.
Participant Numbers and Media Attention
The marathon attracts a large number of participants and significant media attention.
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Participant Numbers: Over 128,000 runners have crossed the finish line since the event began in 2008.
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Charity Fundraising: In 2017 alone, participants raised £150,000 for 37 charities during the RBC Running Weekend, which included the Royal Parks Half Marathon.
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Media Impressions: The event generates significant media attention, with over 79 million media impressions annually.
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Spectator Numbers: The event village attracts around 60,000 spectators each year.
Environmental Commitment and WWF Support
The marathon is dedicated to environmental sustainability and has support from WWF-UK.
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Charity Impact: The money raised by the event helps to keep the magic of London’s eight Royal Parks alive, supports conservation efforts, and teaches children and adults about the natural world.
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Environmental Commitment: The event organizers are committed to reducing waste and increasing recycling rates, aiming to make race day as eco-friendly as possible.
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WWF Support: The event is supported by WWF-UK, which provides runners with a fundraising pack, runners pack including vest and Team Panda headband, and online training hub to help prepare safely for the challenge.
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Training Support: WWF-UK offers a WWF training day in The Living Planet Centre and a WWF cheer squad to keep runners motivated during the event.
Post-Marathon Celebrations and Registration
The marathon concludes with celebrations, and registration is straightforward.
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Post-Marathon Celebrations: The event concludes with post-marathon meet-ups and selfie moments, allowing participants to celebrate their achievement with fellow runners.
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Registration Fees: The registration fee for the event is £30, with a fundraising target of £350 per participant.
Event Date and Course Highlights
The marathon takes place annually in October and features a scenic course.
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Event Date: The Royal Parks Half Marathon typically takes place on the second Sunday of October each year.
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Course Highlights: The course includes iconic stretches like Birdcage Walk, Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, The Mall, and Buckingham Palace.
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Course Challenges: While the first half of the race is highly enjoyable due to its scenic route through central London, the second half takes place within Hyde Park, which can be hilly and less exciting for some runners.
Runner Feedback and Comparisons
Runners have varied opinions on the marathon compared to other races.
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Runner Feedback: Many runners praise the event for its unique experience of running past famous landmarks while still being able to enjoy the scenery without exhaustion.
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Comparisons with London Marathon: While some runners prefer the Royal Parks Half for its more enjoyable first half and scenic route, others argue that the London Marathon offers a greater challenge and more memorable experience due to its full marathon distance.
Event Growth and Corporate Involvement
The marathon has grown significantly over the years, with increasing corporate involvement.
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Event Growth: The event has grown significantly since its inception, with more participants and higher fundraising totals each year.
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Corporate Involvement: Over 157 companies have participated in the Corporate 13.1 challenge, with many corporate teams raising substantial amounts for charity.
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Team Participation: Team RBC, consisting of 300 runners including over 120 clients and charity partners, raised an incredible £150,000 for worthy causes in 2017.
Fundraising Totals and Participant Demographics
The marathon has raised significant funds and attracts a diverse group of participants.
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Fundraising Totals: Since 2008, the event has raised £35 million for over 940 charities.
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Participant Demographics: In 2017, 52% of participants were women, highlighting the event's inclusivity and diversity.
Event Village Activities and Legacy
The event village offers various activities, and the marathon has a lasting impact.
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Event Village Activities: The event village features a Food & Fitness Festival with various activities and entertainment options for spectators and runners.
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Legacy and Impact: The Royal Parks Half Marathon not only raises significant funds for charities but also contributes to the conservation and enhancement of London’s Royal Parks, making it a truly impactful event in both the running community and beyond.
The Royal Parks Half Marathon: A Must-Run Event
The Royal Parks Half Marathon stands out as one of London's most iconic running events. Since 2008, it has captivated runners with its scenic 13.1-mile route through four of London's Royal Parks and past landmarks like Buckingham Palace and Big Ben. This event isn't just about running; it's a massive fundraiser, having raised nearly £65 million for over 1,200 UK charities. With a strong focus on sustainability, the marathon aims to reach net-zero by 2027, already recycling 66% of its waste. The event village buzzes with activity, drawing around 60,000 spectators each year. Whether you're a seasoned runner or a newbie, the Royal Parks Half Marathon offers a unique blend of athletic challenge, community spirit, and breathtaking scenery. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience that supports both personal fitness and vital charitable causes.
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