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The London Marathon may have been and gone, but race season is not over yet. This weekend, more than 24,000 people will be running 13.1 miles around east London for the city’s biggest half marathon event of the year.
With DJs and bands bringing impeccable vibes to every single mile, the WizzAir Hackney Half is basically like a music festival, just with a bit of long-distance running thrown in. It’s part of Hackney Moves, a whole weekend of fitness classes, food stalls and live entertainment. So, whether you’re running or just there as a cheerleader, it’ll be one big party.
Here’s all the essential info for the Hackney Half 2025.
When is the Hackney Half 2025?
This year’s Hackney Half Marathon is happening on Sunday, May 18.
When does it start?
The first runners are scheduled to set off at 9am. The rest will then go out in their designated pens.
The start times for each pen are:
- Start Pen A-B: 9am-9.20am
- Start Pen C-D: 9.20am-9.40am
- Start Pen E-F: 9.40am-10am
- Start Pen G-H: 10am-10.20am
Hackney Half route 2025
Runners will begin at Hackney Marshes and loop around the borough to finish back where they started. On their way, they’ll meander around Hackney Downs, pass in front of Hackney Empire, cross Regent’s Canal, go by Broadway Market and London Fields, border Victoria Park and head through the streets of Hackney Wick. Here’s a look at the full route.
How do I get to the Hackney Half?
If you’re getting to the event by train, the organisers recommend getting the Overground to Hackney Wick station, which is a 20 minute walk from the festival village.
The best places to watch runners
If you’re spectating, you’ll be able to watch the runners anywhere along the route. But if you want a particularly energetic atmosphere, the best places to station yourself will be at the mile markers, where there’ll be various DJs and bands performing.
Is the 2025 Hackney Half sold out?
Yep, general entry for the half marathon is completely sold out. There may still be some last minute charity places up for grabs, though. You can find those here.
How to sign up for the Hackney Half Marathon 2026
You can’t sign up for next year’s race just yet but you can register your interest here. A general sale date hasn’t been confirmed but last year it went live four days after the event.
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