Last weekend, Hackney saw over 25,000 people don their shoes, pin up their number and take to the streets for the annual Hackney Half Marathon. We were out there at KM 14, sharing the vibes with the Voodoo Brass Band at our cheer-zone. But if, 15 years ago, you told people that Hackney would host a half marathon – let alone one of the most popular and important races in the UK – I think you'd have been given some questioning looks.
Yet here we are, just 11-years after the first edition: London's largest HM by number of runners, and definitely one of the most iconic and in-demand entries on the calendar. Put it this way, general entries for 2026 were snapped up in less than two hours.
Just another big race, who cares? Not exactly, we think HH has a few things that separate it as a unique and important event for runners and the borough. To help us tell the tale, we sent Scott out on the course armed with a disposable camera to capture the vibe.
Firstly, it's all about the vibes. Looping around the course, runners take in many corners of vibrant East London, from the leafy Hackney Downs, Mare St. Market, the terraced houses by Well St. Common and to the bumping Hackney Marshes post-race festival area... you feel like you capture an image of everything the borough has to offer. Along the way, cheer-zones, bars and pubs, brass bands, steel-drum lines, cheerleaders, you name it.
What this really tells the tale of, though, is the diversity of the area with each corner and community giving each kilometre a unique flavour. On a social level, the race proves a valuable moment of exposure to running for many who may not have seen it in this light before. Nearly 50% of the population of Hackney is of "Black and Global Majority groups" according to the government census report; with these groups being largely under-represented in running events as a whole, I'd wager this event goes some way towards providing an entry into running, fitness and sport for many.
At £70-ish per entry, things certainly aren't cheap. However, the weekend encapsulates a free festival with the express aim of increasing community participation for all within the local area. Music, fitness programming and classes, food and youth events are all on the timetable, taking place on the Marshes on Saturday and Sunday.
For an event of its size, the ethos of the race remains about approachability and participation rather than performance and times. Through creating a festival-style atmosphere, the race has successfully become a popular first Half Marathon for many. It prioritises fun over fast, allowing anyone to find the race at whatever entry-point they wish.
Check out Scott's pics and see what you feel. Long Live Hackney Half!
