Running Challenge
London
13.1 miles
Sun 12th Oct 2025
Please Note: We now have charity places available for 2025.
Please email us at fundraising@ocduk.org if you have any questions about running for OCD-UK.
The Royal Parks Half Marathon is a stunning central London Half Marathon which takes in some of the capital's world-famous landmarks on closed roads, including Buckingham Palace and the Houses of Parliament and four of London's eight Royal Parks - Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James's Park and Kensington Gardens.
Over 16,000 runners take part in the 13.1 mile route through Central London and the Royal Parks in all their autumnal splendour making this scenic run perfect for first-time runners. Scroll below for 10 great reasons why you should register for this event.
Fundraising target of £350 and just £25 registration fee! *
Get a guaranteed charity place
Have your own ballot place?
The Royal Parks Half Marathon Course
Route subject to change
In case you're still undecided, here are 10 reasons why you should run the Royal Parks Half.
1. You get to run through four of the stunning Royal Parks.
The race is the only route to go through Hyde Park, The Green Park, St. James's Park and Kensington Gardens. You'll be running through the beautiful scenery of London's most central parks.
2. Run through central London, traffic free!
It's rare to see London without any cars but the roads are closed during the Royal Parks Half so you'll be able to run through the city without any cars in sight.
3. See some of London's iconic landmarks.
Wellington Arch, Buckingham Palace, Westminster, Big Ben, Kensington Palace, and The Royal Albert Hall to name a few. It's a London tour in itself!
4. Challenge yourself.
A half marathon is an epic challenge and we know you've got it in you to complete it. Trust us, the feeling after you finish is wonderful!
5. Experience the official marathon event village!
Not many London running events have an event village dedicated for runners to enjoy after you've finished running. This is in the beautiful Hyde Park and is full of positive vibes.
6. Enjoy random supporters cheering your name!
The crowds that turn out for our race are fantastic and they're all out to support you! They'll be sure to keep you going when the miles get tough.
7. Run London's original half marathon!
That's right, this was the first half marathon in central London when the event started back in 2008 and it's a bucket list race for many!
8. You'll be supporting London's Royal Parks and OCD-UK.
The entry fee OCD-UK paid for the places will go towards helping The Royal Parks keep the magic of eight vital green spaces alive, teach children and adults about the natural world, care for wildlife and conserve historic monuments. The money you raise help another worthy cause, OCD-UK!
9. Enjoy being outside.
Training for a half marathon usually starts around 16 weeks before which means summer is your time to begin. Enjoy your training runs outside in the sunshine!
10. You'll love it!
We know the hard work you'll be putting in will pay off on race day and you'll have so much fun. We are there behind you every step of the way. 😉
#FantasticFundraisers
Some of our #FantasticFundraisers from a previous Royal Parks Half Marathon.
We hope you might be using the #TeamOCDUK hashtag for OCD-UK soon.
How OCD-UK Support You
We're going to do our very best to support you with advice and information in preparation for your big day, so you can simply focus on your training and fundraising.
Regardless if you're running for Team OCD-UK with one of our event places, or your own ballot place, we will support you equally, and we will send you...
Get a guaranteed charity place
Have your own ballot place?
Charity place:
If you have not entered the ballot in the official event, or if you did enter and have been contacted to say you were unsuccessful in the ballot results, then this option it for you. OCD-UK has guaranteed charity places and therefore by clicking ‘Charity Place’ you will be offered a guaranteed place in the event. We ask for a registration fee to be paid and once we receive this we will send you a welcome pack which will include an OCD-UK fundraising T-shirt.
Own place:
If you have entered the ballot in the official event, via their own website, and they have contacted you to say you have a place in the event, then this option is for you. By clicking on ‘Own place’ you are choosing to fundraise for OCD-UK, and you will be taken through the steps to create your fundraising account. OCD-UK will take some details so we can send you a welcome pack in the post with an OCD-UK fundraising T-shirt. This option is free because you already have a place and we don't request any minimum fundraising amount.
