The Hackney Half is considered a predominantly flat and fast London course with minimal incline, making it ideal for PBs and beginners. While mostly flat, it is not perfectly pancake-flat, with some gentle, rolling sections and a slight, steady climb in the first few miles.
The course elevation shows that it's not a flat course, but there are no challenging hills beyond that first mile or two. It's a route that has the potential for fast times, while also being great for first-time half marathoners.
The Hackney Half Marathon is considered a relatively flat and fast course with a total ascent of 15 feet (44 meters) and a total descent of 142 feet (43 meters).
And what's more, you won't ever need to cross the route to see it all. The full walking route is 3.87 miles long and we've highlighted the best viewing points along the route that have DJs playing and should allow you to see your runners three times.
Through creating a festival-style atmosphere, the race has successfully become a popular first Half Marathon for many. It prioritises fun over fast, allowing anyone to find the race at whatever entry-point they wish. Check out Scott's pics and see what you feel. Long Live Hackney Half!
For the flattest half marathons in the UK, look to events like the TTP Cambridge Half Marathon, known for minimal elevation; the Barry Buddon FAST Half Marathon in Scotland for traffic-free roads; the Manchester Half Marathon, praised for its flat, PB-friendly course; and the Great Eastern Run, a famously flat race in East Anglia. Other excellent options include races in London's parks (like Battersea Park) or along canal towpaths for minimal climb, perfect for personal bests.
If you're a complete beginner or maybe an occasional jogger, then your fitness might not be at the level you need to run long distances. If this is the case you'll need to start slowly and build up to the full 13.1 miles (yep, that's how long a half marathon is!).
MOST MAJOR HALF MARATHONS ARE FOR RUNNERS–but walkers can do them too. One advantage of a half marathon over a full marathon is that you won't need to spend as much time on the course. Most reasonably fit individuals should be able to walk 13.1 miles in around four hours.
Light, breathable clothing, a cap, and sun protection are smart choices to help you stay cool and comfortable throughout the run. Keep this in mind when packing race day fit options! Top Tip: pin your race number onto your kit the night before, to save any last-minute stress in the morning!
A hilly marathon generally has significant elevation changes, often defined as 50-150+ feet of gain per mile, or a total gain of 1,000+ feet for the entire 26.2 miles, distinguishing it from flat races like Boston (around 332 ft total). Some consider 100+ ft/mile as "hilly," while very challenging courses can reach 2,700 feet or more, requiring specific training for steep climbs and descents.
The 10-10-10 marathon rule is a popular pacing strategy that breaks the 26.2-mile race into three segments: the first 10 miles, the second 10 miles, and the final 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), aiming for a progressive negative split by running the first part conservatively (slower than goal pace), settling into goal pace for the middle, and finishing strong by pushing hard in the final 10k, conserving energy early to avoid "hitting the wall".
A 5K is harder because most people doing the 5K are just starting out running, while someone attempting a half marathon is seasoned. To get to the 5K point is a tough road.
The 80/20 rule in running is a training principle suggesting that 80% of your running time should be at an easy, conversational pace (low intensity) and 20% should be at a moderate to hard intensity (high intensity), focusing on building aerobic fitness and avoiding overtraining. This polarized training model, pioneered by physiologist Dr. Stephen Seiler, helps build endurance and speed by accumulating more volume at low effort while preserving energy for crucial high-intensity workouts, preventing plateaus and injuries.
Eliud Kipchoge ran the marathon distance (26.2 miles) in under two hours (1:59:40) in the special INEOS 1:59 Challenge in Vienna on October 12, 2019, a historic feat demonstrating human potential, though it wasn't an official world record due to specific pacing and technological aids, making him the first person to ever achieve it.
The distance of a half-marathon is 13.1 miles. If you maintain a brisk walking pace you can expect to complete this in 3 to 4 hours, walking 13 to 15 minute miles.
The half marathon, though, is an impressive accomplishment that requires consistency and the ability to stick to a training plan, but it comes with a lower lift—whether it's your first time running 13.1 miles or if you want to hit a specific time goal.
She recommends fueling (with gels, chews, fluids, or whole food) roughly every 30 minutes, aiming for 25-30 grams of carbohydrates each fueling session for at least 50 grams an hour. And you should be practicing this during your training runs. Her rule of thumb is to fuel for any run more than 70 minutes.
