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Considering how many hydration vests, energy gels and Garmin watches you’ll spot in Burgess or Brockwell Park on a given Saturday morning, it’s somewhat surprising that south London doesn’t have that many big running events.
East London already has more than its fair share. The 2026 edition of Hackney’s renowned half marathon has already sold out – in fact, tickets for the race were snapped up within just 48 hours of the 2025 race finishing. Plus, a brand new 13.1 mile race is also landing in Shoreditch this year, scheduled for September.
But Strava-obsessed south Londoners shouldn’t despair, because we come with good news – soon you won’t have to shlep across the river to nab your first medal. Merton Council has announced its very own 13.1 mile race, set to debut in spring 2027.
The event is a collab between Merton Council and the Great Run Company, who’re the people behind the Great North Run, the biggest half marathon in the world. The GNR welcomes 600,000 elite runners and fun-seeking joggers to Newcastle and South Shields every year, but Merton’s new race won’t be quite that big. It will welcome 9,000 runners in its first iteration.
We don’t know exactly what the half marathon route will look like yet, but we do know that the closed-road race will take runners right across the leafy borough. Participants will likely dart past Wimbledon Village and the famous Wimbledon Championships site, travelling through Morden and Mitcham and into some of the area’s best parks.
There could be cause for local businesses to celebrate too, as organisers reckon the upcoming event will boost the borough’s local economy by an impressive £1.7 million.
Merton Council’s plans for the race still need to be approved by the council cabinet later this month. If and when they get the green light, the event’s official name, registration details and charity entry info will all be revealed.
Merton Council leader Ross Garrod said the borough was ‘on a mission to become London’s borough of sport, which means putting sport at the heart of everything we do.’
He said: ‘Our new half-marathon will be a flagship moment in that journey, showcasing how sport can bring communities together, open doors to healthier lifestyles, and help put Merton on the map as a destination for major mass-participation events.’
Time to dust off the Hokas! Discover some of the best running routes in London, recommended by the pros. If you consider running more of a spectator sport, here’s Time Out’s list of the best places along the route map to watch the 2026 London Marathon.
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