Hackney Half to feature trailblazing women’s health initiatives

London’s biggest half marathon, the Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon is placing female health at the forefront, as part of an ongoing commitment to improve inclusivity for women at mass participation events.

Event organisers, Motiv Sports, are teaming up with trailblazing brands TOTM and PEEQUAL, to deliver pioneering women’s health services including free period care products and new toilets that drastically reduce wait times for women. 

On average, women wait up to thirty-four times longer than men to use the toilet. PEEQUAL was founded to reduce this inequality as a potential barrier to entry for female runners, and to improve spectator experience at events.

PEEQUAL will be based in the event village at Hackney Marshes with their award-winning women’s urinals, that are 2.7x faster to use than regular portable toilets, and more hygienic thanks to being touch-free and open-air. PEEQUAL’s squat and go urinals are made in the UK, from recycled plastic that has been recovered from the ocean and are flat-packed, reducing transport emissions drastically.

Motiv Sports’ commitment to improving their events for women is furthered by their new partnership with TOTM. They will provide free period products made with 100% organic cotton on race day. Their sustainable products are designed to help protect the planet by tackling the plastic waste created by the period care industry. Their products will be available at water stations, bag drop and information desks.

The Wizz Air Hackney Half marathon had close to a 50/50 split between participants who identified as male and female in 2024, highlighting the impact of work done to increase female inclusion by Motiv Sports.

Ruby Parmar, Chair and Non-Executive Director at TOTM, said: “Feeling comfortable and supported is paramount while keeping active, and TOTM’s period care is designed with both comfort and reliability in mind to provide just that. We’re thrilled to be partnering with Motiv for the Hackney Half Marathon, providing organic cotton period products to anyone in need or caught short on race day.

“It’s fantastic to have a presence in such a vibrant and creative borough of London, whilst raising awareness of period products that are kinder to both your body and the planet. This partnership is an exciting step in our mission to tackle period stigma and ensure access to period products in all spaces – including sport.”

Hazel McShane, co-founder of PEEQUAL, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching PEEQUAL at this year’s Wizz Air Hackney Half marathon, a buzzing, iconic event right in the heart of London.

“Our mission has always been to make queues for women’s toilets a thing of the past and bringing PEEQUAL to a major running event like this is a huge step. It’s exciting to be supporting thousands of women and showcasing how innovation can create more equal experiences in sport and beyond.”

Photo credit: Motiv Sports

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