Record Numbers Race Through Hackney for London’s biggest half marathon
More than 25,000 runners signed up for the iconic Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon
Hackney Moves welcomed over 60,000 people across two-day festival in Hackney Marshes
Event welcomes host of community partners, programmes and runners as part of industry-leading community initiative
The event saw over £4 million raised for its official charity partners across the weekend, with more still to come.
London, UK | This weekend’s two-day Hackney Moves festival culminated in the famous Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon, which saw over 25,000 people sign up in less than two weeks.
Hackney Moves festival welcomed over 60,000 people to 2025’s event as thousands took part in, and supported London’s largest, and most popular, half-marathon.
On Sunday 18 May, London’s biggest half marathon witnessed thousands of runners enjoying the streets, sights and sounds of East London through Hackney’s Mare Street Market, the iconic town hall, Hackney Wick, Hackney Picturehouse, Victoria Park, and the Hackney Empire – before the iconic finishing moment at Hackney Marshes.
Becky Briggs, of City of Hull AC, won the women’s race, finishing in 01:14:20, while Hugo Fry and Chris Bruchhausen, both of Belgrave Harriers, were the first finishers of the Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon, crossing the line together in 1:06:53.
For full results, visit: https://results.sporthive.com/events/7321543703403950848/races/493315
The half marathon raised a staggering £4 million for its official charity partners across the weekend, which include Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer Support, GOSH, St Mungos, British Heart Foundation, Homerton Healthcare and Shelter, along with a number of local, Hackney charities.
Event organisers launched a new community initiative for 2025, developed to further engage and integrate the London-running community and other key community organisations in the half marathon. The programme aimed to increase accessibility for the local community by understanding all the barriers to participation from across different sections of the community. Community Partners and Champions commanded a strong presence before and during Hackney Moves, with members of the 12-week Hackney Academy group all taking part in the half.
The Hackney Moves weekend featured a free and inclusive ‘Festival of Fitness’, including sessions from Fight Klub, while some of the hottest music acts took the stage, with The Voice UK 2024 finalist, STORRY; local beat boxer, Beatfox, and the amazing Kele Le Roc all entertaining thousands across Hackney Marshes.
The weekend also hosted the annual free-to-enter Hackney Community 5k, and the conclusion of the local schools’ challenge – encouraging East London school children to complete their own half marathon. Pupils ran the final mile of the distance on the day having completed shorter runs, adding up to twelve miles, in the weeks prior to this, giving them a chance to cross the finish line as they complete the challenge.
Across the Hackney Moves weekend, an assortment of energetic activities were hosted as crowds were entertained by live DJ sets, meditation sessions, immersive experiences and fitness classes. A family fun zone provided amusement for the little ones, while fitness presenters orchestrated high-octane sessions from three stages across the festival village.
Ian Allerton, Managing Director for Motiv Sports, said: “We are immensely proud to see how many people came down across the weekend to celebrate together. Thanks to all our acts, performers, groups and the wider Hackney community, that make the festival what it is. We’re delighted that the festival has grown and become an iconic celebration of the borough.
“And, of course, congratulations to all runners who took on the race today, whether people were running for good causes or simply to challenge themselves, it was an incredible effort by all. We’re delighted to have had the biggest Hackney Moves ever and we are already looking forward doing it all again next year.”
Motiv Sports, the event organiser, will host a further two events in the capital this year: the Saucony London 10k on 13 July and Saucony Run Shoreditch on 21 September, also hosting the Blenheim Palace Triathlon from 7-8 June and finishing off the year with the Oxford Half on 12 October.
To find out more about 2026’s event, visit https://www.hackneymoves.com/
Photo credit: Motiv Sports
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