Course & Elevation
The Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon is a closed-road half marathon through central London, held on a Sunday in October. It was set up in 2008 by The Royal Parks charity as an annual fundraising event, and the organisers describe it as the first and only half marathon through the centre of London. The 13.1-mile route runs through four of London's eight Royal Parks: Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens. The 2026 race started on South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park at 08:45, with the event village and bag drop in the same area. Local reports describe it as a single lap past Buckingham Palace, the Mall, Whitehall and the Houses of Parliament, finishing in Kensington Gardens in front of the Albert Memorial and the Royal Albert Hall. Pacers are provided from 1 hour 30 to 3 hours 30, and the cut-off is four hours after the last wave starts. The 19th edition took place on 11 October 2026 and the 20th is set for Sunday 10 October 2027, with a ballot for places. The event says it has raised more than £80 million for over 1,900 UK charities, and beneficiaries include The Royal Parks, Great Ormond Street Hospital and Mind.
Course Facts
Weather
Typical climate for the race month — an estimate, not a forecast or a race-day record
12°C
Temperature
82%
Humidity
35%
Rain Chance
October in London is mild and often damp: average highs are about 16°C and lows about 9°C, with rain of 1 mm or more on roughly eleven days of the month.
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