Frequently Asked Questions
Registration
Those using the Microsoft Edge browser often experience issues so we would recommend using a different browser to compete your registration.
Our registration form has a maximum time limit of 30 minutes, if it is not completed within this time frame, the form will time out.
If your form has timed out, please wait 60 minutes before trying the form again and ensure you are clicking the link directly from your invitation email.
It often helps to use a different device / browser (eg Chrome rather than Safari) or incognito mode as the original browser may cache the timed out form.
Once a charity has confirmed your place with you, you will be sent an invitation to register on our system. This is sent from info@royalparkshalf.com but as it is manually sent by your charity, there may be a delay from confirming on their system before receiving the invite to register on our system.
If you have any questions about your charity registration, please contact your charity directly.
Ballot runners who are unable to take part will have the option to transfer their place to another runner via their participant dashboard.
Please note: If you were successful in the UK resident ballot, you can only transfer your place to another UK resident. Transfers from a UK resident ballot place to someone residing outside the UK are not permitted.
The new participant will need to pay a £5 transfer fee at the time of registration. All transfers must be completed prior to Tuesday 1 September at 17:00 BST as this is when our runner registration closes. After registration closes, we will not be able to assist with any transfers, including those where an invitation has been sent but not yet completed.
The transfer of places is only available to ballot place runners. If you have a charity or corporate place, you’ll need to get in touch with your relevant contact to discuss your options.
You can access your participant dashboard via your original confirmation of registration email.
No, once you've completed your registration, your finisher T-shirt preference (opt in or opt out), selected fit (relaxed or women's fitted) and size can't be changed. This is due to event logistics in advance of race day.
You can view your selection at any time by logging into your participant dashboard.
You can update your details via your participant dashboard linked in your confirmation of entry email.
This includes:
- Estimated finish time
- UK Postal address
- Emergency contact details
Please note, the deadline for updates is Tuesday 1 September at 17:00 BST as this is when our registration console closes. No changes can be made after this date.
Runners will start to receive their race packs towards the end of September, which will include the race number and timing chip. Race packs will continue to arrive up to the week of the race, so if you don't receive yours straight away, do not panic.
We are unable to post packs outside of the UK. Participants who reside outside the UK and those who require a replacement pack will need to collect their race pack from:
- 12:00 – 19:00 on Friday 9 October from Marathon House, 190 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YB,
- 08:30 – 14:00 on Saturday 10 October from the info tent in our event village in Hyde Park.
The exact location for our info tent will be confirmed nearer the day.
Race day
The 2026 Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon will take place on Sunday 11 October 2026.
We have a cut-off time of 4 hours after the last wave has started. This means participants need to maintain an average pace of around 18 minutes 19 seconds per mile (about 11 minutes 23 seconds per kilometre) to finish within the time limit.
Due to our strict central London road reopening times, you’ll need to maintain this pace throughout. If you’re unable to maintain this pace, but wish to continue, we may need to move you onto the pavement for safety reasons. Our team will support you to the finish line.
You can view our runner terms and conditions here.
The race will start along South Carriage Drive in Hyde Park. This is also the location of our event village including bag drop.
You can view our 2026 route map here.
We do not have a restriction on runners using headphones for our race. All we ask is that you're mindful of other runners and look out for our marshals for signals and follow signage.
The Oysho Royal Parks Half is expected to start at 08:45 with the last wave expected to begin between 09:30 - 09:45.
Participants will receive their individual timings nearer to race day. The event village will open from 07:30.
There will be four water stations on route this year and toilets at various points for you to use. We will also have plenty of toilets in our event village for use before and after the race.
We do not provide energy gels. If you have trained using energy gels or similar, you'll need to bring them with you on the day.
Yes, there will be a bag drop available to participants on the day. Small backpacks will be accepted and we ask you to leave any valuables at home.
No, we do not have showers or changing facilities on site.
Yes, a team of experienced pacers will be present at the event. They are identified by a large flag carried on their back, displaying their predicted finishing time.
Our pacer times will be available with your Event Guide closer to race day.
During the registration process, you selected an opt in or opt out choice for both t-shirt and medal. This will be detailed on your race number when it arrives. You can check your decision on your participant dashboard shared in your confirmation of entry email.
Yes, we will have a digital event guide available with everything you need to know ahead of the race. This will be available from Friday 25 September, and participants will be emailed it along with their individual start time.
If you opted out of a t-shirt/medal during your registration, we are unable to change this choice. Your race number will reflect your decision.
On race day, you can visit our info tent after your race to enquire about collecting a t-shirt / medal however this is subject to availability and not guaranteed. It cannot be arranged before the race.
Transport for London (TfL) have scheduled engineering works on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 October on the Circle line from Edgware Road to Aldgate via Victoria and on the District line from Tower Hill and Edgware Road to Ealing Broadway, Kensington (Olympia), Richmond and Wimbledon.
We strongly advise all runners and supporters to plan ahead and allow time to get to the event village, located on South Carriage Drive. What3Words: guard.tape.coach
The closest stations to our event village and start line are
- Knightsbridge (approx. 12 min walk) via the Piccadilly line
- Hyde Park Corner (approx. 15 min walk) via the Piccadilly line
- Green Park (approx. 20 min walk) via the Victoria line (Step-free access) and Jubilee line
- South Kensington (approx. 20 min walk) via the Piccadilly line
- Victoria (approx. 25 min walk) via the Victoria line (Step-free access)
- Marble Arch (approx. 25 min walk) via the Central line
- Lancaster Gate (approx. 25 min walk) via the Central line
- Bond Street (approx. 35 min walk) via the Central, Jubilee and Elizabeth lines (Step-free access)
General
The ballot for 2026 closed on Friday 6 February 2026. For those who missed the chance to enter or were unsuccessful in the ballot, you can still run with a charity place.
Take a look at our charity partners with guaranteed entry. You can take part this year by fundraising for a worthy cause.
You can find out which charities have places to offer here.
You must be at least 17 years old on Sunday 11 October 2026 (race day) to take part.
No, as the Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon is not a UK Athletics-licensed event, results will not be submitted to Power of 10.
The public ballot for the 2026 Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon opened on Monday 26 January 2026. It closed on Friday 6 February at 17:00 GMT.
