Ealing Half Marathon Announces Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club as Headline Sponsor of the Ealing Mini Mile 2026

West London’s most successful rugby club joins forces with one of the UK’s most celebrated running events in a landmark partnership for the borough

Ealing Half Marathon and Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club today announced a landmark headline sponsorship partnership, with the Championship rugby club — the reigning Champ Rugby champions — becoming the headline sponsor of the Ealing Mini Mile. The partnership sees two of West London’s most prominent and best-loved sporting organisations unite for the borough’s biggest mass-participation running weekend.

The Ealing Mini Mile — one of the UK’s most popular children’s running events — will be officially known as The Trailfinders Ealing Mini Mile for 2026, with the club’s branding appearing on every child’s finisher t-shirt, every race bib, and throughout the race village at Walpole Park on Saturday 26 September.

The event, which is part of the #EalingFeeling weekend alongside the multi-award-winning Ealing Half Marathon, draws thousands of children aged 0–16 and their families to Walpole Park each September. The 2026 Mini Mile will feature ten age-group races with most categories selling out within days of tickets going on sale, as it does every year.

The partnership marks a significant deepening of the relationship between the two organisations, with Ealing Trailfinders having previously supported the Ealing Half Marathon. The club’s step up to headline naming rights for the Ealing Mini Mile represents a shared commitment to the West London community and a recognition of the growing scale and profile of the Ealing Half Marathon weekend, which attracts over 7,000 participants across both days and is recognised as one of the premier mass-participation running events in the capital.

Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club — founded in 1871 and one of the oldest rugby clubs in the world — has established itself as the dominant force in English rugby’s second tier, winning the Champ Rugby Championship title in consecutive seasons. With over 4,000 members, 750 minis and juniors, and a professional women’s team competing in Premiership Women’s Rugby, the club is the largest sports club in the London Borough of Ealing and a cornerstone of the borough’s sporting identity.

The partnership will also provide opportunities for the Ealing Trailfinders Foundation to raise funds and profile through the event weekend, reinforcing both organisations’ commitment to the communities they serve.

Sandra Courtney, Event Director said, “Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club is exactly the kind of partner we have always wanted for the Mini Mile — a club that is as deeply rooted in this borough as we are, and one that understands what it means to create something truly special for the West London community. This is not a conventional sponsorship deal; this is two major West London sporting institutions coming together to celebrate what this borough does best.”

“The Trailfinders have been part of the EHM family before, and to see them step up to headline naming rights level is genuinely exciting. Their name across the event is going to mean something to every family in that park on race day — and that is exactly what this event deserves. I cannot wait for September.”

Ben Ward, Managing Director of Ealing Trailfinders, said: “Sport has a unique way of bringing people together – not just to compete, but to feel a part of something bigger than themselves. That’s exactly why we’re so proud to support the Ealing Half Marathon, especially the Mini Mile, where the next generation will be excited to be part of that journey. 

“Events like the EHM sit right at the heart of the borough’s annual calendar. They bring our community together, out onto our streets, for one big celebration, and we’re delighted to be part of it. We can’t wait to be involved and look forward to seeing everyone in September.”

Could You Volunteer at the Trailfinders Ealing Mini Mile?

The Ealing Mini Mile couldn’t happen without the incredible support of our volunteers. We are looking for enthusiastic people to help marshal the course, support families and cheer on hundreds of young runners as they cross the finish line at Walpole Park on Saturday 26 September 2026.

Whether you’re a runner, a local resident, a rugby fan or simply someone who wants to be part of a brilliant community day — we’d love to have you on the team. Volunteering is a fantastic and rewarding way to be involved in one of West London’s most loved sporting events. To register your interest in volunteering, please visit: ealinghalfmarathon.com/volunteer.

Check out the Ealing Half Marathon RIA Member profile here  .