Royal Parks Half Marathon charity places for 2026
Ballot places have sold out - but limited charity places are available! Run for charity through London's special parks, support a UK cause and join their team today!
Do it for charity
Find a charity- Sun 11 Oct 2026
09:00
Age 17 & over
£15-£70
- 13.1 miles road running + 95 m ascent
Event overview
The Royal Parks Half Marathon is one of London’s most spectacular races and a major fundraising event supporting hundreds of UK charities.
Since 2008, this iconic run has raised over £70 million for more than 1,200 charities while helping protect London’s eight Royal Parks.
London's most scenic half
Around 16,000 runners take part each year, following closed roads through four beautiful Royal Parks and past famous landmarks. Known as Britain’s greenest race, it combines a stunning route with a vibrant race-day atmosphere. Many runners take part with a Royal Parks Half Marathon charity place, raising vital funds for causes they care about.
I did this event as my first ever half marathon and ran it for charity. The location of this event is stunning, going through the different parks and past Buckingham Palace.. Great festival zone, awesome medal. Andrianna
What are charity places?
Charities purchase official places in the Royal Parks Half and offer them to runners who commit to fundraising. These charity places are a great way to secure your entry, especially if the ballot has closed.
Benefits of running for charity
Running the Royal Parks Half for charity guarantees your place and gives every mile extra purpose, with many charities offering fundraising support and race-day encouragement.
The Royal Parks Half and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you fundraise for?
Prefer to enter directly? General entry options are explained on the Royal Parks Half Marathon page.
Event photos
Event video
Charity places
The charities below have places in the event. To secure your charity place, simply find a charity then book a charity place or join a charity team with your own place.
What is 'Quick book'? Save time and secure your place immediately using our simple booking system - look for charities marked 'Quick book'.
The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity
Pioneering new cancer treatments to create a future beyond cancer.
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
- Post-race reception
- Refreshments
- Free massage
- Certificate
Sign up
£30
Fundraise
£350
Epilepsy Society
Transforming the lives of people with epilepsy through world-leading research, advocacy and care.
- T-shirt
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Training plan
- Training guide
- Online training zone
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£350
Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare
Rehoming and rescuing a wide range of animals to help them receive the care they deserve.
- Running vest
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
- Certificate
- Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£350
My University Hospitals Sussex
Delivering vital funds to support care, treatment and research across University Hospitals Sussex.
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Training plan
- Pro training advice
- Training guide
- Online training zone
- Dedicated contact
Sign up
£33
Fundraise
£300
WaterAid
Providing clean water and decent toilets to everyone, everywhere.
- T-shirt
- Technical t-shirt
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Bespoke training plan
- Pro training advice
- Training guide
- Online training zone
- Dedicated contact
- Pre-event training sessions
Sign up
£30
Fundraise
£350
CNWL NHS Health Charity
Ensuring every patient and staff member in the Central and North West London NHS Trust have the support, care and treatment they need to live well.
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Training plan
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£350
NOMAN is an Island
Lace up your shoes and run the Royal Parks Half to support NOMAN’s work to end HPV cancers - get your free t-shirt and legendary END HPV socks.
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
- Instant confirmation of place
- Hassle-free process
- Ready-made fundraising page
Sign up
£20
Fundraise
£400
Samaritans
Samaritans is available round the clock, every single day of the year providing a safe place for anyone struggling to cope, whoever they are, however they feel, whatever life has done to them.
- T-shirt
- Technical t-shirt
- Running vest
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Fundraising incentives
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
- Prize draw
Sign up
£35
Fundraise
£350
Cats Protection
For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.
- Running vest
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Training plan
- Dedicated contact
- Exclusive social group
- Certificate
- Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event
Sign up
£40
Fundraise
£375
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Walking With The Wounded
Mentally, physically and socially wounded ex-service personnel and their families are supported to receive the help they deserve.
- Technical t-shirt
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
- Exclusive social group
- Memento
Sign up
£35
Fundraise
£380
Meningitis Research Foundation
Join the race to defeat meningitis as part of #TeamMRF, driven by a passionate mission to prevent the devastating impact of meningitis by uniting people and knowledge to save lives.
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
Sign up
£35
Fundraise
£350
Scleroderma & Raynaud's UK
Providing support and funding research to improve lives everyday.
- Running vest
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Supporter cheer packs
- Pro training advice
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
- Exclusive social group
- Certificate
- Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event
Sign up
£20
Fundraise
£400
St Mungo's
Ending homelessness, rebuilding lives.
- T-shirt
- Running vest
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Supporter cheer packs
- Training plan
- Bespoke training plan
- Pro training advice
- Dedicated contact
- Cheer squad on the day
- Post-race reception
Sign up
£30
Fundraise
£350
NSPCC
Every childhood is worth fighting for.
- Personalised running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Bespoke training plan
- Pro training advice
- Training guide
- Training days
- Pre-event meet-ups
- Cheer squad on the day
- Post-race reception
- Refreshments
- Exclusive social group
- Pre-event training sessions
Sign up
£15
Fundraise
£350
Turn2us
Run with #TeamTurn2us and stand against UK poverty to support those struggling financially to thrive into the future.
- Technical t-shirt
- Running vest
- Fundraising support
- Fundraising materials
- Dedicated contact
- Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event
- 10 places left
- Instant confirmation of place
- Hassle-free process
- Ready-made fundraising page
Sign up
£25
Fundraise
£350
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Event details
- Beginner-friendly
- Event village
- Families
- Fancy dress
- Spectators
- Traders at event
- Venue accessible
- Cut off time
- Distance markers
- Entertainment
- First aid
- Flat
- Food stations
- Headphones allowed
- Marshals
- PB
- Point to point
- Toilets
- Traffic free
- Water stations
- Wave start
- GPX available
GPX route
The route is displayed on the map above.
Overview
This stunning course threads its way through the beauty and majesty of four Royal Parks and past iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and the Royal Albert Hall. Although there are some gentle undulations, it’s a generally flat course, making it fantastic for both beginners and experienced runners. Look out for your charity cheering squads on route!
Graphic
Route highlights
- Run through four Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens
- Start and finish in Hyde Park, one of London’s most famous green spaces
- Pass Buckingham Palace and the ceremonial grandeur of The Mall
- Run The Mall twice, lined with cheering crowds
- Sweep past Horse Guards Parade with views of the London Eye
- Spot iconic landmarks including Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and the Houses of Parliament
- Glide through the tree-lined paths of Kensington Gardens
- Pass Kensington Palace, a royal residence and historic landmark
- Finish beside the spectacular Royal Albert Hall and Albert Memorial
- Soak up the atmosphere on Serpentine Road’s famous “cheer mile”
Cut off
4 hours.
There is a cut-off time of 4 hours after the last wave has started. This means participants need to maintain an average pace of around 18 minutes 19 seconds per mile (about 11 minutes 23 seconds per kilometre) to finish within the time limit.
- Bar
- Cafe
- Entertainment
- Music
- Park
- Secure bag storage
- Toilets
- Urban
- Fundraising incentives
- Fundraising materials
- Fundraising support
Why run for charity?
Taking on a challenge like the Royal Parks Half Marathon is an amazing commitment and something to be celebrated. Every training session, every run in the grey light before dawn, in your lunchbreak, in the heat of summer or cold of winter, pushes you forward.
But you can do even more. By running for a charity you can make every step count double and share your achievements with those in need.
It’s not a one-way street either – running for a charity team gets you guaranteed entry to the race and connects you with like-minded runners in the run-up and race day, as well as giving you access to training and fundraising support.
Benefits of running for charity
When the going gets tough, your admirers step in! As 'masters of motivation', your chosen cause will spur you on and provide plenty of perks in the process:
Fundraising support
Charities know that raising money is all part of the challenge, which is why they provide advice, branded materials and a personalised online fundraising page to help the donations roll in. Think eye-catching videos for social media and traditional collection tins too.
Training support
Whether this is your first or fifth half marathon, you'll need to train for it! You'll receive an in-depth training plan with guidance, plus many charities have access to expert coaches and elite runners too, who can provide exclusive tips for your race preparation.
Branded running kit
When you show up on the day, people need to be able to see clearly that you're supporting a charity. Most charities will give you a branded and personalised t-shirt or vest to run in on the big day, and often a training top too.
Support on the day
When you're partway through your run and your energy is flagging, what you need is a boost from cheering spectators to keep you moving. Most charities set up a cheer station along the route, keeping an eye out for you to send up a huge cheer as you run past!
Post-race recovery
Refreshments and an indulgent post-race sports massage are often provided by charities for their runners. This is the perfect way to recover alongside other people who have run for that cause.
Exclusive social groups
You won't be the only person running for that charity, so it's well worth meeting other runners through the charity's invite-only social media pages! You can organise to meet up for training runs, chat with the charity's expert coaches and share tips and stories with each other to keep the motivation levels running high.
The Royal Parks Half and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?
This was my 6th Royal Parks Half and still my favourite half. Also the first year accompanied by torrential rain but my goodness the charity support was still as strong as ever. A big thank you to All the supporters and organisers. Jeannette S
I did this event as my first ever half marathon and ran it for charity. The location of this event is stunning, going through the different parks and past Buckingham Palace and you would never know that 16,000 people were running. Andrianna C
Great Half-Marathon around the most beautiful parks and surroundings of London! The arrival in Hyde Park is amazing. Renaud B
I would say that although it was generally flat, this course is probably not a 'PB course', simply because there is so much to see. I found that even if I had wanted to push for a PB, I would have struggled, as a lot of people were stopping en route to take pictures. Kerry L
Massive shout out to the incredible marshals - they all had megaphones and they used them well, their support was amazing, especially as the weather was awful which probably put off some spectators. All in all, its a great race, highly recommended. Sophie B
My first half marathon and what a perfect way to start. The course was truly beautiful and took in some amazing sights of London., running down the Mall a highlight! Miranda C
Simply beautiful race through London’s Parks and past the cities iconic sites! One to run! Ian B
This is without a doubt my favourite event ever. Well organised, great route etc etc. This year was the first time I have run an event with a pacer and I have to say it made the experience even better, especially as someone who normally runs alone, I felt I was part of a team. I have done the London Marathon 3 times and this race still for me is so much better, great atmosphere and the route far more interesting. Gemma P
A fantastic event and a beautiful course, flat and fast and without doubt a PB course. Lee C
We were lucky enough to have a beautiful day for it and it was a great route...A sight seeing tour of London! Jessica L
Reviews thanks to RaceCheck
- Chip timing
- Drinks
- Eco goody bag
- Eco medal
- Eco t-shirt
- Event app
- GPS tracking
- Map
- Pre-event training sessions
- Snacks
- Training plan
- T-shirt
Included
- Chip-timing
- Finisher medal
- Official T-shirt
- Water and drinks stations
- Medical support and marshalls
- Bag drop facilities
- Event Village
- Chip timing and official results
- Food stalls at the finish
- Training tips, runner information and pre-race guidance
- Charity runners receive perks and goodies from their charity, too
Sustainability
- Bring your own cup
- Optional medal
- Optional t-shirt
- Plastic bottle free
- Public transport links
- Recycling
- Sustainability policy
- Trees not tees