The 2020 Royal Parks Half Marathon was due to be held on 11th October with 16,000 runners pounding through the streets and parks of central London on the nicest (if, in places, tightest) half marathon route in the capital. In June the organisers took the decision to postpone the event until Sunday 11th April 2021, as long as the COVID-19 pandemic has receded enough, or we’ve learned how to cope with it.
Today, organisers have reopened the ballot for one week to fill the spaces that have arisen as a result of that postponement. The ballot is free to enter and runs until 5pm on Wednesday 23rd September. Successful applicants will be notified on Friday 25th, and must accept and pay for their place within a week. A place costs £59, plus a £3.95 admin fee.
While the current state of the pandemic may make a 16,000 person race in London next April seem as if it’s a long shot, we feel that it’s worth chancing your arm. Most importantly, we have faith in the Royal Parks Foundation and partner organiser Limelight Sports to be responsible and cautious enough not to go ahead if the risks are too great. Also, you’re unlikely to be out of pocket if the race is postponed again.
See related
- Half Marathon Training: Plans, Tips, Advice And More
- The Ultimate Guide To The Royal Parks Half Marathon
- The Best UK Virtual Running Events To Sign Up For Right Now
It’s also a fantastic occasion which will feel all the more special after a year of restrictions on mass events. The usual closed-road course takes in four of London’s eight Royal Parks – Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens – and past landmarks like Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament.
And if nothing else, a race in the calendar will give you a reason to keep going out and exercising through what is shaping up to be a grim winter all round. Do not underestimate the positive impact running can have on your mental state.
