The Hackney Half is a big one on the London running calendar.
The annual running race is London’s biggest half marathon with more than 24,000 people taking part in 2024.
It is held every spring, with the 2025 date fast approaching.
But whether you’re a runner, supporter, or someone just going along to soak up the east London vibes for the day - here is all you need to know to make the day run smoothly:
When is the Hackney Half Marathon?
The race will take place on Sunday May 18, and runners will set off from 9am - but the event is being held as part of a bigger active life festival weekend taking place across the Saturday 17th too.
Starting on Saturday at 9am, the festival has a full line up of sports, fitness classes and performances to encourage people to get active.
Everything - including the race - sets off from Festival HQ on Hackney Marshes.
There will be yoga, Zumba, Pilates, children challenges, DJ sets and more throughout both days. The full line up and timings can be found here.
For the actual race, the event - which is sponsored by airline Wizz Air - has a cut off time of 3.5 hours for all runners because of the amount of time the roads in the area can be shut off for.
This works out at around 16 minute miles.
If you are running, you will be allocated a Start Pen based on your estimated finishing time upon registration. This can be found in each runner’s race day guide email.
What is the route of the Hackney Half Marathon?
The race both starts and finishes at Hackney Marshes and does a tour of east London.
Runners will set off from the marsh and see the sights of Hackney, which comes alive. It is a festival in both name and nature, with live music and street art all along the route to entertain runners.
They will run down to Hackney Downs, past Dalson and then past Hackney Central Station before plodding don past Haggerston Station and past Victoria Park on the home stretch back.
The full route can be seen here.
Are there any toilets and water stations along the route?
Thankfully, yes! Hackney Half Marathon route will for this year feature six aid stations at miles 3.5, 5.7, 7.1, 7.9, 9.3 and 11.5 if you are in need of a pick me up.
You’ll find volunteers, toilets and sanitary products at all six of these aid stations.
At four of the six aid stations - miles 3.5, 5.7, 7.9 and 11.5 - runners will be able to grab water in cups. At mile 9.3, you’ll find water in 330ml bottles, while the aid station at mile 7.1 will offer an energy drink in cups to give you a bit of a boost should you need.
Where are the best spots to watch the race?
Hackney Half is known to be a lively running event, full of character with supporters lining the streets in their droves.
As a result, and thanks to the road closures in place, you could go to any spot along the route to soak up the atmopshere.
The course is highly accessible for spectators, and there are many public transport links along the way (check the route map linked above), so if you are supporting a loved one, you could head to any point where you think they may need a boost.
