Independent Age

One of the highlights of London's running calendar where culture and movement collide! This festival weekend, featuring the popular Hackney Half Marathon, returns to the Marshes in springtime.

Expect pure vibrancy as the borough comes alive for three days of celebrating the best of East London culture with crowds cheering you on at every turn!

In fact, spectators and supporters line the streets in their thousands to cheer on runners. Combined with entertainment on the course, this creates a rapturous, motivational atmosphere to help push you to the finish line!

Highlights

• Festival atmosphere

  The three-day festival takes over Hackney with the air pulsing to live music, the sun shining and bars spilling out onto the streets. It's as fun for spectators as it is for runners.

• Free community 5K

  Everyone aged 16+ can walk, jog or sprint the 5K course which is completely free, soaking up the festival vibes as you go.

• Dynamic route

  Hackney is an exciting borough with vibrant street art and this route is designed to showcase its culture! Full of twists and turns, local landmarks and the Olympic Park.

• Festival Village

  Spectators and runners will be entertained with yoga classes, stretching workshops, exhibitor demonstrations, food stands, bars, live music and more. Runners will hang around for hours afterwards, decked out in new medals and race t-shirts!