Royal Parks Half Marathon 2023: London road closures and the route

The Royal Parks Half Marathon is due to return to some of London’s most gorgeous green spaces this weekend, with 16,000 runners expected to be racing and raising money for charity.

This year marks the 16th annual edition of the half marathon, famous for taking participants through Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens, as well as several of central London’s most iconic landmarks.

In his intro to the event guide for 2023, chief executive at The Royal Parks, Andrew Scattergood, wrote: “As the charity that cares for some of London’s most beautiful green spaces, we recognise the contribution that parks make to peoples’ lives. They are places to relax, exercise and clear your mind and our parks are accessible and available for everyone to enjoy.

“As we welcome you this race weekend, we want to encourage everyone to continue to seek out green space in their everyday lives. The many parks in London enhance our city but face environmental and financial challenges. We need your help to ensure the Royal Parks continue to be here for us all to enjoy, both today and for future generations.”

With the event due to take place on Sunday, October 8, here is everything you need to know.

What is the route for the 2023 Royal Parks Half Marathon?

The race begins in Hyde Park, with runners heading east through The Green Park, past Buckingham Palace and St James’s Park, and up beyond Charing Cross.

It then loops back past Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch, and goes all the way west to Kensington Palace. Runners then loop around once more and head back to the starting point, in Hyde Park.

What road closures will be in place for the 2023 Royal Parks Half Marathon?

A number of road closures have been agreed in advance with Westminster City Council and Transport for London (TfL).

The roads due to be closed are:

• All roads within Hyde Park, between 12.01am on October 8 to 5am October 9
• All roads within St James’s Park from 6am to dusk
• All roads within Westminster from 7am to 12pm on October 8

Drivers are being advised to plan their journeys in advance and to allow additional time.

What time does the 2023 Royal Parks Half Marathon start?

While the assembly area and event village opens at 7.30am, the wave loading, when each group of runners is filtered through, does not begin until 8.40am.  The half marathon then begins at 9am.

For those turning up to show their support, the entire race route can be walked along. Activities in the event village also start at 10.30am.