The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon has today unveiled a new route for its 2015 event, taking place on 11 October.
The changes will see runners run the full length of Whitehall, up to Parliament Square and pass the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, before looping back towards Trafalgar Square.
The reason for the route is so Embankment can be avoided, due to its imminent Cycle Superhighway construction.
This is stark contrast to previous years, where runners would usually have entered Victoria Embankment via Westminster Bridge, run along the river to Temple, before U-turning and making their way back along the Embankment to Horse Guards Avenue.
Head of Major Events at Royal Parks Foundation, Sally Barney, said: “The Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon is now in its eighth year and this is the first time that we have altered the route.
“The changes were made as a result of the Cycle Superhighway construction works, but we have embraced the opportunity to change things, albeit slightly, this time around and we are really happy with the new route. It takes our runners closer to some of London’s most iconic landmarks and we’re pleased to be incorporating Trafalgar Square and the Strand for the first time.”
The 13.1 mile run is on closed roads and in four of London’s eight Royal Parks, namely Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park and Kensington Gardens.
The ballot for this year’s race may be closed, but there are still a number of charity and corporate places available. Some 280 charities have places at this year’s Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon with charity applications open until 21 August.
For more information please go to www.royalparkshalf.com
