- 1. Hackney Half Marathon
- 2. London Landmarks Half Marathon
- 3. Cancer Research London Winter Run 10km
- 4. Reading Half Marathon
- 5. RunThrough Battersea Park 5km
- 6. The Big Half
- 7. The Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon
- 8. Brighton Half Marathon
- 9. ASICS 10km
- 10. Manchester Half Marathon
- 11. London Marathon
- 12. Boston Marathon
Let me let you in on a little secret: I love running.
Noticed the boom in interest in running RN? More people than ever completed this year's London Marathon, with a record-breaking amount raised for charity, too. Not sure if running is your thing, but feeling inspired? Trust me, running has the potential to change your life. I'm a Health Editor who fell in love with running at the age of seventeen. I've run eleven marathons, including the London, Boston, and Chicago marathons, and am forever raving about the benefits running can have on both body and mind.
That said, finding the motivation can be hard if you don't have an event in the calendar, which is where my edit of the best running races comes in. Not sure how to start running? Reading up on the benefits of running is all well and good, but it's actually actionable running tips for beginners that will get you up and out the door.
Things like downloading one of the best running apps (Couch to 5km, we're looking at you) and investing in a pair of the best running trainers can help, as can taking things slowly. That said, getting a race in the diary can be a surefire way to keep your motivation levels high and your feet moving forward.
The following are all running races I've run personally and really enjoyed. From the London Landmarks Half Marathon, which loops some of Central London's most iconic landmarks, to the RunThrough 5kms, there's something for every ability in this guide.
Don't miss our guides to strength training for running, how to run for longer, and how to run faster, while you're here.
Best running races: 12 to book now
1. Hackney Half Marathon
When? May.
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Where? East London.
Why? Proudly known as London's biggest half-marathon, more than 27,000 runners signed up for the sold-out HOKA Hackney Half this year, raising over £4 million for charity in the process.
The memorable 13.1 route passes Hackney Town Hall, the historic Broadway Market, and the street art of Hackney Wick, but more than that, it delivers electric energy, community feel, and unrivalled cheer support.
As part of the race weekend, organisers host a multi-day festival at the start and finish line, with free live performances, workouts and more over the course of the weekend. They also have an expanded community programme encouraging people into movement, with an impressive number of local community organisations and Community Champions integrated into this year's event.
Hackney isn't just a race - it's a cultural moment celebrating togetherness, community, and the joy of movement.
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2. London Landmarks Half Marathon
When? End of March or early April.
Where? Central London.
Why? Landmarks is my favourite half marathon for a reason. Looping some of London's most iconic landmarks (hence the name), the route offers some of the best bits of the London Marathon route without the additional 13.1 miles. Plus, the energy and support along the route is unrivalled - expect full choirs, rock bands, dancers in traditional fancy dress, and more.
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3. Cancer Research London Winter Run 10km
When? February.
Where? Central London.
Why? Want to challenge yourself to a 10km route in central London complete with dancing polar bears, penguins, and snowflakes for support? Then you'll love the Cancer Research London Winter Run. Launching in 2015, they've raised over four million for Cancer Research UK since then, no doubt changing countless lives.
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4. Reading Half Marathon
When? April.
Where? Reading.
Why? Easily one of the most fun halves you can run in the UK, the Reading Half ends in the Majeski Stadium, making for a pretty epic finish. One of the oldest UK halves (the first Reading Half was in 1983), you run through the town centre and leafy university campus, too.
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5. RunThrough Battersea Park 5km
When? Throughout the year.
Where? Battersea, but also throughout the UK.
Why? RunThrough hosts a whole range of events all over the UK, but my favourite race of theirs is the Battersea Park 5km. It's fast, flat, and scenic, and RunThrough are known not only for their epic themed medals, but for their finish line flapjacks, too. They always have a great number of volunteers on hand to help you on your run, too.
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6. The Big Half
When? Start of September.
Where? This route includes of the best parts of the London Marathon course - enjoy a 13.1-mile point-to-point course through some seriously iconic London neighbourhoods, including Greenwich and Tower Bridge, finishing beside the Cutty Sark.
Why? Another revered London half marathon, the Big Half garners electric crowd support and energy. The point-to-point route makes it easier to break down mentally, plus you get to see some iconic landmarks along the way.
If you're not in half marathon shape, there's the option to to run the four person team relay. Simply assemble your team
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7. The Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon
When? October.
Where? London.
Why? Fun fact for you: The Oysho Royal Parks Half Marathon is London’s original half marathon. The route takes you through a grand total of four of the eight of London's Royal Parks, which also makes it one of the greenest road races you can run in the UK.
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8. Brighton Half Marathon
When? February.
Where? Brighton.
Why? Another of the older UK halves is the Brighton Marathon, which has been running for 36 years. The scenic 13.1 mile route takes you along the seafront, plus you get to celebrate your achievement with fish and chips on the beach. What's not to love?
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9. ASICS 10km
When? September.
Where? Central London.
Why? Fancy a midsummer challenge in the UK's capital? The ASICS London 10km sees live bands, DJs and cheer squads rooting you on as you run past Westminster Bridge, The London Eye, Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus and Big Ben. It's a real celebration of running - book while spaces last.
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10. Manchester Half Marathon
When? October.
Where? Manchester.
Why? Start your half marathon next to the city's iconic Old Trafford stadium and join over 15,000 other runners as they lace up to take on the distance. If you're after a personal best, it's a great course and the route is fast and flat.
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11. London Marathon
When? April.
Where? Central London.
Why? The TSC London Marathon is the largest annual fundraising event on the planet, fundraising over one billion pounds since it launched in 1981. If you're lucky enough to get a spot, it promises to be one of the most memorable days of your life, with cheer squads, bands, and supporters for the entire 26.2 miles.
Next year, the race will achieve a world-first with the introduction of its first-ever "Double Day" - a historic two-day edition of the race, with 100,000 runners taking on the iconic 26.2-mile Greenwich-to-Westminster course. This will make it the largest marathon event in history, and it's expected to raise over £150 million for charity.
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12. Boston Marathon
Where? Boston, USA.
What? One of the most prestigious marathons in the world and one of the World Majors, the Boston Marathon has long been difficult to get into - you have to run a specific gender-based qualifying time, which many runners take years to do.
But in recent news, the BAA team have shared that they're changing the application process, giving more runners a shot at running the iconic route. For the first time, runners who achieve a qualifying time but missed the cutoff in the initial ballot will be given a second chance through a random selection process.
Why? I've run eleven marathons now, and I never thought a race could top the London Marathon - but Boston did. Held on Patriot's Day, the entire city comes out to cheer you, and despite the pretty hefty elevation gain (around 1000m), the course is a total joy. I ran a PB on the course back in April, staying nearby at the Boston InterContinental (full review, here) and couldn't have had a better experience. The years of training are worth it to qualify for such a monumental and iconic race.
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How do I choose a running race?
Good question - and that'll depend on your fitness level, end goal, and schedule.
For example, if you're starting from scratch or as a beginner, a 5km is the best distance to go for. It's the shortest amount of mileage, plus you should feasibly be able to run 5km within four weeks with a dedicated training plan (here at MC UK, we're fans of the NHS' Couch to 5km).
It'll also depend on how busy you are - you may have hopes of smashing a 10km, but you'll only be able to do so if you have time to train. Do note - if you're going to tackle a marathon, you'll need sixteen to twenty weeks to train.
Ally is Marie Claire UK's Senior Health and Sustainability Editor, a well-regarded wellness expert, ten-time marathoner, and Boston Qualifying runner.
Utilising her impressive skillset and exceptional quality of writing, she pens investigative, review and first-person pieces that consistently demonstrate flair and originality.
Ally manages a team of freelancers, oversees all commissioning and strategy for her pillars, and spearheads the brand's annual Women in Sport covers, interviewing and shooting the likes of Mary Earps, Millie Bright, and Ilona Maher. Shortlisted for three BSMEs and winning one in 2022, Ally lives and breathes her verticals: her eye for a story and connections within the wellness sphere are unrivalled. Follow Ally on Instagram for more.