Welcome to the 2026 HOKA Hackney Half
Welcome to the HOKA Hackney Half, the headline event of the HOKA Hackney Moves weekend - a weekend where movement, community and culture come together in the heart of East London.
HOKA Hackney Moves has always been about more than a race. It's a celebration of movement in all its forms - powered by the people who live here, run here, volunteer here and show up every year to make the streets of Hackney something special.
In 2026, we're proud to welcome HOKA as our title partner, marking an exciting new chapter. Together, we're continuing to build an experience that brings together the local community - all whilst creating a half marathon that feels vibrant, welcoming and unmistakably Hackney.
Whether you're here to chase a personal best, run for a cause, join the Festival action, or simply soak up the atmosphere, this guide has everything you need to help you get the most out of race weekend.
With thousands of you heading to the marshes, we can't wait to welcome you! Please be aware that this may mean delays entering and exiting the site. Please follow all instructions from our staff, volunteers and stewards, as well as onsite signage, to ensure your journey is as smooth as possible.
As we get closer to race weekend our inbox becomes extremely busy. Before getting in touch, please check this Race Day Guide and our FAQs - most questions are answered here.
Race Day Checklist
Tick off everything before heading to Hackney Marshes.
📱 Participant Tracking
Download the HOKA Hackney Moves app to track yourself and other runners. Tracking begins once you cross the start line. Search by digits only (e.g. 45633, not A45633).
Race Day Timetable
Race morning is always busy. Plan your journey in advance and leave plenty of time.
Any runners rocking the "party pace" and predicted to finish after the cut-off time of 3.5 hours (from the last starter) will be asked to move onto the pavement. You will still be eligible for a medal at the finish.
*Roads will be reopened as runners complete each section.
Start Pen Arrival Times
Your pen letter is on your race bib and in your Race Day Guide email. Arrive within your window to allow time for bag drop, facilities and warm-up.
You can move backwards to a later pen on race day (e.g. B → C), but not forwards. Enter the correct pen when directed by marshals.
Race Pack
Your Race Pack contains your bib with timing chip attached. If you opted in for an event tee, you will get this in your pack as well.
Running with another participant's bib is a serious breach of our Terms & Conditions. This poses a significant health & safety risk to not only the person running in the incorrect race number, but to all runners on the day. There may be spot checks throughout the day, and runners with incorrect bibs may be disqualified.
If you need safety pins, we will have some at the Help Desk in the Festival Village.
Your Bib Explained
Hover over or tap each label to learn about each part of your bib.
Your Race Pack
You opted to collect your race pack. Pick it up from the Help Desk at Hackney Marshes. Bring your photo ID and your QR code (sent via text in the week before the race).
| Date | Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday 15 May | 16:00 – 19:30 |
| Saturday 16 May | 09:00 – 17:00 |
| Sunday 17 May | NOT AVAILABLE |
- Friday afternoon or Saturday morning will be quietest
- Race packs only issued when details match the registration
- A friend or family member may collect on your behalf with your ID and QR code
You opted to have your race pack posted to you. It could arrive up until Friday 15 May. Please don't email us to ask where it is - we can't track individual packages.
- If your bib doesn't arrive by Friday 15 May, collect a replacement from the Festival Village (this will cancel your original bib)
- If you have moved house, please try to retrieve your original pack first, then collect a replacement if needed
- Replacement collection times: Friday 16:00–19:30, Saturday 09:00–17:00
Getting to the Festival Village
25,000+ people will be heading to Hackney Marshes on Sunday morning. Plan ahead and allow plenty of time.
- Arrive at least one hour before your start wave
- Roads around the course close from 06:30
- Public transport is strongly recommended
- Check TfL updates before travelling
All roads around the route close at 06:30. Do not approach via Homerton Road - it will be closed ahead of the race.
By Rail
Homerton is closed to eastbound trains 07:00–11:00 on race morning. Use Hackney Wick instead.
By Bus
Several local services will have diversions from 06:30. Check tfl.gov.uk/bus/status for updates.
Cycling
Bike parking in the Festival Village. Bring a cable or chain lock. Bikes left at owner's risk.
E-Bikes
E-bikes are a brilliant and sustainable way to travel to the event. This year we are working with e-bike operators to install a geo-fence around the race route and the Festival Village to prevent bikes being left on the route and causing delays to the half marathon or safety issues for the flow of crowds around the event.
There will be FOUR clearly signed e-bike parking locations:
- Daubeney Fields
- Mabley Green
- To the East of Hackney Marshes (for those approaching from Stratford)
- To the North of the Festival Village (for those arriving from Clapton direction)
Please do not approach the site via Homerton Road as this will be closed ahead of the race!
Parking
Westfield Stratford City (E20 1EJ) - 4,500 spaces, ~25-min walk. Check westfield.com for opening times.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 1–2 hours | £6.50 |
| 2–4 hours | £9.50 |
| 4–6 hours | £11.50 |
| 6–8 hours | £13.00 |
| 8–10 hours | £14.00 |
| 10–12 hours | £15.00 |
| 12–16 hours | £20.00 |
| 16–24 hours | £25.00 |
Festival Village
The heart of the event - bag drop, toilets, medical services, food and drink, partner zones and the finish area. Part of the wider HOKA Hackney Moves festival with entertainment all weekend.
Get race-ready your way! Pre-race warm-ups run from 08:10–09:35 across the Main Stage, House of Fitness, and Community Hub, with sessions to suit every style.
| Day | Opening Times |
|---|---|
| Friday 15 May | 16:00 – 20:00 |
| Saturday 16 May | 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Sunday 17 May | 07:00 – 15:30 |
Bag Drop
- Your race number determines your Baggage Bay
- Opens 07:30, closes 14:30
- One small bag only - large suitcases will not be accepted
Facilities
Help Desk
For race pack queries or event questions, visit the Help Desk in the village. Volunteers in red 'Here To Help' hi-vis vests are also available throughout.
Toilets & Peequal
Toilets in the village and along the route. PEEQUAL returns for the HOKA Hackney Half 2026 - the UK's first squat-and-go women's urinal.
Multi-Faith Prayer Area
A calm inclusive space for quiet reflection, prayer or contemplation. Whether you follow a faith or require a quiet space, you are welcome. Separate areas for men and women, with prayer mats and water for ablution.
Baby Feeding & Changing Area
Located to the South of the South baggage tent. Baby changing, seating for feeding, quiet environment. All parents and caregivers welcome.
Chill Zone
Located to the South of the South baggage tent. A calm retreat for anyone who needs a moment away from the festival energy.
Sanitary Products
There will be a variety of products which you can request at our help and information desks in the village, as well as marshals and volunteers at aid stations on the route.
Meeting Points
It's often busy and crowded at the end of the rewards area, so please arrange to meet your friends and family post-race at a designated area.
Phone Signal
Signal may be limited near Hackney Marshes. Arrange a meeting point in advance.
The Route
A vibrant 13.1-mile journey through the heart of East London - fast and flat, with the unmistakable energy of the Hackney community. From Hackney Marshes through lively neighbourhoods, returning for an unforgettable finish.
Aid Stations
Accessible toilets and standard toilets are available at every aid station, along with sanitary products. Runners are welcome to carry their own hydration.
| Station | Mile | Hydration | Medical | Toilets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3.5 | Water cups | ✓ | ✓ |
| 2 | 5.7 | Water cups | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 | 7.1 | SAP Good Energy Gels | ✓ | ✓ |
| 4 | 7.9 | Water cups | ✗ | ✓ |
| 5 | 9.3 | Water bottles (330ml) | ✓ | ✓ |
| 6 | 11.5 | Water cups | ✗ | ✓ |
- We recommend moving further down the aid station if it's congested at the beginning
- Take one cup at a time - volunteers will refill if needed
- If not stopping, keep to the opposite side of the road
- Dispose of cups in bins after each station
Even though we've closed the roads for the race today, these are still residential roads, so the course includes street furniture/infrastructure such as speed bumps, traffic islands, kerbs and bollards. We've done our best to sign all the hazards, and have volunteer marshals stationed at certain points on the route.
Please keep your eyes up and mind your footing, especially when running in groups. Look after yourselves and the runners around you.
Please avoid mobile phone use when running and pay attention to the race route ahead of you.
First Aid
In an emergency, move to the left side of the road to allow emergency vehicle access. Two medical centres in the Festival Village; medical staff also along the course.
Pacers
A team of pacers in bright HOKA flags will join you on the route - look for them in the start pens. The letter next to each time below shows which pen they'll start in, so you can line up alongside them.
| Finish Time | Pacers | Pen |
|---|---|---|
| 1hr 30 | Luke Halls, Jose Casaseca, Laurel Buchanan | B |
| 1hr 35 | Simon Thwaite, Mo Ismail, Lucien Munroe | B |
| 1hr 40 | Indrakumar Arulanandam, Alex Walters | C |
| 1hr 45 | James Hadley, Harvey Gallagher, Heather Napthine | C |
| 1hr 50 | Dominic Addison-Nelson, Carole O'Leary, Charlotte Kennedy | D |
| 1hr 55 | Dave Russell, Andrew Clark, Gigi Ginnaella | E |
| 2 hrs | Cassie Dudley, Mandy Bansal, Alexander Leslie | E |
| 2hrs 05 | Sarah Flanagan, Gavin Clarke | F |
| 2hrs 10 | Rory Coleman, Andy Gan, Gaby Ellis-Bone | F |
| 2hrs 15 | Indigo Clarkson, Teresa Warren, Lily Bowker-Wright | F |
| 2hrs 20 | Rose Crees, Hasan Hassan, Adebola Adediran | G |
| 2hrs 25 | Hannah Mears-Young, Farhema Hussein | G |
| 2hrs 30 | Usha Chapman, Madia Rashid, Shifa Aftab | H |
| Run / Walk | Sacha Marius-Beeko, Linda Agyemang | H |
| Tail Runners | Afe Komolafe, Josephine Ocaka | H |
Race Day Entertainment
Live entertainment all the way along the course - run without headphones to hear it all and any safety announcements.
Headphones
Runners are strongly discouraged from wearing headphones. Hearing marshal instructions and emergency announcements is important for everyone's safety.
Finish Line
- Keep walking through the finish funnel to keep the line clear
- Collect your finisher medal, water and goody bag
- Arrange to meet friends and family in the designated post-race area - please note there are no numbered meeting points this year
- Collect your bag from bag drop before 14:30
Clothing Donation at the Start
Bring extra layers? Leave them at your Start Pen - all clothing donated to local Hackney charities.
Results
- UK phone number at registration? Results sent via text
- Search by name or race number for your official time, position and splits
- App results are not official - always use the results webpage
Prize Giving - 10:45
Prizes for fastest three in female and male categories, plus fastest in non-binary and wheelchair categories. First placed non-binary runner contacted in the week after the event.
Photography
Marathon Photos photographers on course and at the finish. Photos can appear within seconds with Marathon Photos Live. Email link to purchase sent in days after the race.
iTAB
Personalise your finisher medal with a personalised engraved iTAB. Purchased during registration: posted 2–3 weeks after. Order at itab.us.com.
Spectator Information
The spectator walking route lets you see your runner up to three times without crossing the course. At 4mph, you can track a 1h 15 runner at all three points.
Start at Hackney Wick station. Homerton station is closed until 11:00 and access to the south side of Homerton Road from the event village is difficult, so begin your spectator walk from Hackney Wick and loop via Victoria Park.
(Start)
Fan Hub
Fan Hub
Fan Hub
Walking Directions
- Start - Hackney Wick station (Elizabeth line / Mildmay line). Head west towards London Fields.
- Hackney Town Hall Fan Hub - Mare Street (E8 1EA). Catch runners as they pass through central Hackney. ~25 min walk from Hackney Wick.
- 117 Mare Street Fan Hub - 117 Mare Street (E8 4RU). Head south down Mare Street. ~5 min walk.
- Victoria Park Road Fan Hub - 255 Victoria Park Road (E9 5DY). Head east along Well Street and Cassland Road. ~20 min walk.
- Return - Head north east back to the Festival Village. ~15 min walk.
Race Start
Race starts at 09:00. First finishers expected just after 10:00, most runners between 11:00 and 12:00.
Fan Hubs
Hackney Town Hall
Mare St, London E8 1EA
117 Mare Street
London E8 4RU
Victoria Park Road
255 Victoria Park Road, E9 5DY
Volunteers
Give them a big thank you when you see them. Want to get involved? hackneymoves.com/volunteer
Accessibility & Support
HOKA Hackney Moves is committed to creating an event that is welcoming, inclusive and accessible. If you have specific requirements, please contact the team in advance.
Wheelchair Participants
Day chairs welcome. The course is not suitable for racing wheelchairs due to road conditions, speed bumps and surface changes.
Accessible Spectator Viewing
There is a wheelchair accessible viewing platform to the west of the finish chute.
Guide Runners
Guide runners welcome. Contact the team ahead of race day so the right arrangements can be made.
Sustainability
We work with partners and suppliers to reduce waste, encourage recycling and promote sustainable travel.
- Travel by public transport where possible
- Using the bins throughout the village and on the route - these are sorted post event into recycling and waste
- Dispose of cups responsibly after aid stations
Safety & Security
The safety of everyone at HOKA Hackney Half is our top priority. We work closely with the Metropolitan Police, local borough councils, Transport for London and security teams.
If you see anything unusual, report it immediately to the nearest event staff member, volunteer or security team.
Support
We send essential emails to all registered runners in the lead-up to race weekend. Please read them carefully alongside this guide. We may not respond to enquiries where the answer is already here.
We can't wait to welcome you to the start line.