Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 1, 2026

Hackney Half

The Hackney Half is an annual half-marathon held during the spring in the London borough of Hackney. The first event was held in 2014, with over 12,000 runners taking part. The event is London's biggest half-marathon event, with 24,000 runners taking part in the 2023 event.

Last revised
Jun 1, 2026
Read time
≈ 3 min
Length
619 w
Citations
21
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Hackney Half
DateMay
LocationLondon, United Kingdom
Event typeRoad
DistanceHalf marathon
Primary sponsorHoka
Established2014
Official sitewww.hackneymoves.com

The Hackney Half is an annual half-marathon held during the spring in the London borough of Hackney. The first event was held in 2014, with over 12,000 runners taking part.1 The event is London's biggest half-marathon event, with 24,000 runners taking part in the 2023 event.2

In 2020, the event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.3 In 2021, the event originally set to happen in May, was postponed to September 26th with a scaled back event due to the COVID-19 lockdown in the United Kingdom.4

In 2023, organisers of the event were accused of “greenwashing” by Green Party councillor Alastair Binnie-Lubbock, after the airline Wizz Air sponsored the event.5 General entries for the 2025 event sold out in a record time of two weeks.67 The event's popularity has grown, with general entries for the 2026 race selling out in two days.8

Course

Runners at the Hackney Half 2015 event source ↗

The closed road race has a flat course that starts and finishes in Hackney Marshes, taking in Hackney Downs, Hackney Central past the Hackney Empire, Broadway Market, and Hackney Wick.9

Records

Editions

Edition Date Men's winner Time Women's winner Time
1 22 June 201410 Peter Emase 1:04:19 Gladys Yator 1:15:30
2 10 May 201511 Mathew Kimutai 1:03:21 Katy Webster 1:17:38
3 8 May 201612 Mark Kibiwott 1:04:38 Hannah Walker 1:18:12
4 30 April 201713 Paul Whittaker 1:06:55 Isabel Clark 1:18:10
5 22 May 201814 Joe Morwood 1:08:50 Stephanie Davis 1:16:41
6 19 May 201915 Jonathan Cornish 1:06:58 Emily Stewart 1:19:45
7 26 September 202116 Jonathan Cornish 1:06:36 Laura Kaye 1:19:12
8 22 May 202217 Sam Bramwell 1:09:17 Rebecca Bunting 1:19:13
9 21 May 202318 Sam Bramwell 1:07.56 Kirsty Fraser 1:17.16
10 19 May 202419 Fredrick Hessian 1:08:05 Yvie Lock 1:15:25
11 18 May 202520 Hugo Fry and Chris Bruchhausen 1:06:53 Becky Briggs 1:14:20
12 17 May 202621 Sam Tyas 1:06:35 Ciara Boyd-Squires Long 1:14:54
References

References

  1. Bartholomew, Emma (2014-06-28). "Inaugural Run Hackney half marathon: photo gallery". Hackney Gazette.
  2. Ouzia, Malik (2023-05-20). "East London set for biggest ever Hackney Half with record 24,000 field". Evening Standard. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  3. Chant, Holly (2020-05-29). "The Hackney Half will not happen in 2020". Runner's World. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  4. McGuire, Jane (2021-02-24). "Hackney Half marathon postponed following government's lockdown roadmap". Hackney Gazette. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  5. Gregory, Julia (2023-05-19). "Local councillor accuses Hackney Half organisers of 'participating in greenwashing' through Wizz Air sponsorship". Hackney Citizen. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  6. "Hackney Half sells out general entries for 2025 in record two weeks". Running Insights - Everything RUNNING. 2024-06-04. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  7. Brooke, Mike (2024-06-06). "Hackney Half marathon general entries for 2025 sold out". Hackney Gazette. Retrieved 2024-06-12.
  8. "Mayor joins 'record number' of runners for Hackney Half". Hackney Citizen. 2025-05-21. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  9. "2024 Hackney Half Marathon: Everything you need to know". Runner's World. 2024-05-08. Retrieved 2024-05-12.
  10. "Kenyan runners top podium at Hackney's first half marathon". Hackney Citizen. 2014-06-23. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  11. "Run Hackney 2015". MYLAPS Sporthive Event Results. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  12. "Vitality Run Hackney 2016". MYLAPS Sporthive Event Results. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  13. "Hackney". MYLAPS Sporthive Event Results. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  14. "Results 2018: Virgin Sport Hackney News". Ahotu. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  15. "Hackney Festival of Fitness 2019". Hackney Magazine. 2019-05-21. Retrieved 2024-06-07.
  16. "No shortage of energy for runners in the Hackney Half and 5K". Hackney Gazette. 2021-09-27. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  17. "Hackney Half Marathon report 2022". runABC. 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  18. "Record numbers enjoy Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon". Hackney Gazette. 2023-05-22. Retrieved 2024-05-13.
  19. Amber, Peake (2024-05-20). "Hackney Half Marathon 2024 results: Times of top runners who crossed finishing line first". LondonWorld. Retrieved 2024-05-20.
  20. "Record numbers race through Hackney for London's biggest half marathon". LondonWorld. 2025-05-18. Retrieved 2025-05-19.
  21. "Hackney Half Marathon raises more than £4m for charities for second successive year". www.civilsociety.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-05-19.