The Big Half
Sun 1 Sep 2024

The Big Half

The Big Half promise a party atmosphere on a landmark-packed, half marathon route which follows some of the famous marathon course in reverse! Charity places available for 2024.

Get charity place
  • Sun 1 Sep 2024

The Big Half

09:00

£10-£56

Age 17 & over

Overview

The Big Half has an unmissable festival atmosphere – and everyone's invited!

Brought to you by the organisers of London's famous marathon, you can get set for 13.1 miles of fun today taking in some of the marathon route from a completely different perspective!

Highlights

  • London's community half

    Bringing together Londoners of all backgrounds and runners of all abilities from everywhere.

  • Running festival

    A party atmosphere is promised and a route banked with cheering supporters too!

  • four of London's boroughs

    Enjoy the traffic-free city on some of the famous marathon route in the reverse direction.

Event video

  • All fitness levels
  • Event expo
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Wheelchair users

Other weekend events

The New Balance Big Relay covers the same course in four legs and the Big Mile is free, family-friendly event that takes place on the same finishing stretch, ending at the Cutty Sark.

  • Bag storage
  • Cafe
  • Entertainment
  • Music
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge Road
London
Greater London
SE1 2AA
UK

  • Distance markers
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • Point to point
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations

The 13.1-mile route of The Big Half and the New Balance Big Relay starts on The Highway by Tower Bridge and finishes beside the historic Cutty Sark in Greenwich.

The route passes through the four London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich – taking in Canary Wharf, Wapping, Tower Bridge, Rotherhithe and Deptford along the way – before finishing at the iconic sailing ship.

The Big Half route map
THE BIG HALF 2023 ROUTE MAP
From the mighty Tower Bridge to the Cutty Sark along some of the famous marathon route (in reverse!) covering four London boroughs on the way.

  • Recycling
  • Sustainability policy
  • Trees not tees

This event aims to inspire and deliver innovation in mass participation event sustainability.

Sustainability

  • Bottles and cups

    Recycle every plastic bottle.

  • Emmissions

    Reduce power usage and use hydrotreated vegetable oil in generators.

  • Waste

    Waste separation to aid recycling and plastic-free finisher bags made from sugarcane.

  • Trees not tees

    Participants can opt to plant a tree rather than receive a t-shirt, planting the seed for sustainable change.

  • Goody bag
  • Massage
  • Medal
  • Training plan

T-shirt and medal

The fabulous medal and t-shirts for The Big Half have been designed in collaboration with ASRA Club, a running club and community space placing Muslim women at the forefront of sports, wellness and sisterhood.

Event photos

Make your memories of The Big Half last forever by purchasing a digital photo package!

  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising support
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Every year thousands of runners take part in this event and fundraise for charity! While this is hugely beneficial to the charities it gives the runner advantages too, from supporting a cause that is close to your heart to securing a place in this sought-after event and much more.

Benefits of running for charity

Committing to raising money for charity gives you motivation to get outside and run, plus all of these extras which will elevate your event experience:

  • 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 videos for social media, branded imagery and testimonials from previous runners.

  • Training support

    Whether this is your first run or your fifth, 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. Experts include Runningwithus, Full Potential and Olympic champs.

  • 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. Many 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.

What are charity places?

Charities buy places in this event, then give them to runners who agree to raise money for the charity – these are called charity places. Charity places are a great way to support a good cause and get a place in the event, especially if general entries are closed.

Running a half marathon and charity fundraising go hand-in-hand - which charity will you run for?

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Free sign up Homelessness

Missing People

The only UK charity that reunites missing children and adults with their loved ones.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£350

Children

Childhood First

For children aged 5-18 who have experienced severe abuse, neglect and early-life trauma.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£50

Fundraise
£300

Children

Child Bereavement UK

Supporting bereaved children and families to help rebuild their lives.

  • Personalised running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Exclusive social group

Sign up
£30

Fundraise
£300

  • Age 17 & over
  • 16000 places
  • Entries open
  • Charity entries open
  • Charity places
  • Enter online

How to enter The Big Half

There are 3 ways to secure your place in this fantastic event:

  • General entries
  • Resident (community) entries
  • Charity places are available from free + sponsorship pledge

 

Charity entries

You can secure a charity place in The Big Half and get sponsored for your half marathon miles to support an important cause.

Really great atmosphere and great for chasing down that PB!! Would recommend to every runner. Lucy R

It was fun running over Tower Bridge. Lynsey K

It's a great race with a big crowd of runners. Connor D

This is my favourite half marathon. I love the route as it takes in some great parts of London- including Tower Bridge and ends up in Greenwich. 

It has great PB potential. Sarah M

 

I loved the route. Running through parts of London I’ve never visited before. Support was fantastic. I got goosebumps running over London Bridge because the support was so loud.

A great sized medal and a nice T-shirt and food bits at the end. Dan M

It's a flat, fast course with a great atmosphere, fantastic crowds spectating and the medal and T-shirt are very nice. David A

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck