Mass participation running events are back – here are all the dates

We’ve been crossing our fingers, toes and shoelaces for the return of mass participation races, and thanks to the government’s roadmap decision yesterday, our wish has come true.

Some of our favourite running events across the country have been given the green light to go ahead in the coming months, including parkrun, London Marathon, the Great North Run, Brighton Marathon, the ASICS London 10K, Manchester Marathon and This Mum Runs events. Organisers have been working together to plan protocols and operational solutions that ensure the safety of participants.

“Extensive scientific research has shown that the risk of transmission of COVID-19 outdoors is negligible,” says Hugh Brasher, Event Director of London Marathon Events. “The UK’s event organisers have worked together to ensure the safe return of events by participating in the government’s Events Research Programme and collaborating on a range of protocols that ensure our events will be safe and COVID-secure.”

We are thrilled that these kind of events are returning – and not only because we love going to them. “Our events inspire people of all ages and abilities to get active, which is so important for both physical and mental health,” says Paul Foster, CEO of the Great Run Company. “Runners in mass participation events generate more than £250 million every year for charities and these funds are so desperately needed now, as the services of charities are vital to support vulnerable members of society.”

Dates for the diary

Here’s a calendar of the iconic mass participation races that are confirmed to go ahead from later this month. “We’re inviting everyone to get involved, however they want to – enter that race you’ve had on your bucket list, join your local parkrun or sign up for a free This Mum Runs community run,” says Mel Bound, CEO of This Mum Runs.

• 20 July: Standard Chartered Great City Race
  (the first event held on closed roads in the capital since March 2020!)
• 21 July: return of This Mum Runs community runs
• 24 July: return of parkrun
• 25 July: ASICS London 10K
• 1 August: London Landmarks Half Marathon
• 8 August: return of Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events
• 22 August: The Vitality Big Half
• 5 September: London Summer Run
• 12 September: Great North Run
• 12 September: Brighton Marathon

• 19 September: Great Bristol Run
• 26 September: Hackney Half
• 26 September: Great Manchester Run
• 3 October: Virgin Money London Marathon
• 10 October: Royal Parks Half Marathon
• 10 October: Manchester Marathon
• 17 October: Oxford Half