Inspire
Inspire is our annual search for five outstanding charity runners
Inspire is our annual search for five outstanding charity runners taking part in this year's Royal Parks Half Marathon.
Inspire shines a spotlight on five inspirational runners who have special reasons for running the Royal Parks Half Marathon. The runners will rise to the challenge of running the Royal Parks Half to raise awareness of the causes that they support.
The five worthy winners will have their stories published on our website and across the Royal Parks Half social channels. Plus, they will receive invaluable PR support to help attract media coverage for the causes they are passionate about.
Runners can nominate themselves, be nominated by their charity, or by family/friends.
Nominations will open on Thursday 14 May and close on Friday 24 July at 12:00. Our Inspire panellists will then select the five charity runners and we will notify everyone who submitted a nomination by mid-August.
What do the winners receive?
The winners will each receive:
- VIP tent entry on race day
- Exclusive start-line photo moment
- Access to start in any wave on race day
- Inspire runner profile across the Royal Parks Half social media channels
- Feature on the Royal Parks Half website with a link to fundraising page
- PR support to national and regional media for runner and charity
To be eligible for the Inspire campaign, the person nominated must be registered to take part in this year’s Royal Parks Half Marathon, either with a charity place or as a ballot place runner.
Ballot place runners must have an active fundraising page and be supporting a registered charity.
Nominees should also have a close and personal connection to the charity they’re fundraising for.
Of course, runners can nominate themselves, be nominated by their charity, or by family/friends.
Each nomination must be for an individual runner, but you’re welcome to submit multiple nominations if you know more than one inspiring person taking part this year for charity.
Once nominations close on Friday 24 July at 12:00, our Inspire panellists will then select the five charity runners and we will notify everyone who submitted a nomination by mid-August.
The successful runners will be contacted by a member of the Royal Parks Half team and introduced to our PR agency, where they will set up a friendly chat to hear more about their reason for taking part this year. A press release will be drafted and fully approved by the runner before being shared with the media.
We will share the winners stories on the Royal Parks Half website as well as our social media channels in the lead up to race day.
On race day, Inspire winners will be invited to the Royal Parks Half VIP marquee and receive an exclusive start line photo before the race.
All arrangements will be discussed directly with each selected runner to ensure they’re fully informed and comfortable with the process.
What did being an Inspire winner mean to you?
Being a Inspire winner at last year's Royal Parks Half Marathon felt like a real privilege and an honour. So many people running have inspirational reasons to run and causes close to their hearts, just like me, running in memory of my daughter, Emily. To be chosen as one of the five winners out of the thousands of runners was really special.Since Emily died from a brain tumour in 2022, aged just 8 years old, fundraising and raising awareness for brain cancer has become so important to our family. I was so grateful to be given the opportunity as it really helped boost my fundraising for The Brain Tumour Charity (£5,458). Family led fundraising like ours is crucial for researchers to continue their projects as brain cancer receives only 1% of national spending compared to other cancers. This is despite it being the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40. Being an Inspire winner helped me tell Emily's story and share these shocking statistics as so much more needs to be done. I was given great support to do this by the PR team and importantly had good control over how Emily's story was written and shared.
How was your race day experience as an Inspire winner?
I ran the race with Emily's Uncle Jonny and we shared Emily's weight between us carrying weighted vests (11.5kg each). It was extra special having Jonny share the Inspire VIP experience with me too. Emily loved him so much and would be really proud of him.We were really well looked after on the day and having access to the VIP tent was a real bonus. Having read the incredible stories from the other Inspire winners, it was then great to meet them on race day too and have photos taken.
I guess none of us really believe we are truly inspirational. We're just normal people trying to make a difference for others because of what has happened in our own lives. But if that helps inspire others to do the same, then that would be brilliant, and all part of our amazing daughter's legacy. For Emily. My inspiration.
