Hackney Half Marathon 25,000 runners

Hackney Moves’ sold-out half marathon is set for Sunday, May 17, with thousands of runners and spectators expected across east London. The race is the headline event of the HOKA Hackney Moves festival at Hackney Marshes, which runs across May 16 and May 17, according to the organiser’s website. Time Out reported on Friday that more than 27,000 people will take part in the event, which starts and finishes at Hackney Marshes and runs through parts of Homerton, Dalston, Haggerston, London Fields and near Victoria Park. ### When does the half marathon actually start on Sunday? Sunday’s race begins at 9 a.m., with runners sent off in staggered waves through 10:20 a.m., according to the Hackney Moves race-day guide and Time Out’s published wave schedule. The festival village opens at 7 a.m., bag drop opens at 7:30 a.m., and warm-up sessions are scheduled from 8:10 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., the official guide said. (hackneymoves.com) Time Out said the eight waves are grouped into four start blocks: A and B start from 9 a.m. to 9:20 a.m.; C and D from 9:20 a.m. to 9:40 a.m.; E and F from 9:40 a.m. to 10 a.m.; and G and H from 10 a.m. to 10:20 a.m. The same report said runners are assigned a pen letter in advance and may move back to a later pen, but not forward to an earlier one. (racedayguide.hackneymoves.com) ### Where is the route and what kind of event is this? Hackney Moves describes the race as a flat, closed-road 21.1-kilometre course through the borough with live music, pacer support and a post-race festival. The organiser’s half-marathon page says the event is sold out for 2026 and starts and finishes at Hackney Marshes. Time Out said the 13.1-mile course passes through Homerton, Dalston, Haggerston and London Fields and by green spaces including Hackney Downs and Victoria Park. (timeout.com) The publication also said the race has become one of London’s most in-demand running events. ### Which roads are due to close, and for how long? (hackneymoves.com) Time Out reported on May 15 that roads around London Fields, Victoria Park, Hackney Downs and Hackney Marshes will be shut for the race on Sunday. The publication said closures are due to start from 6:30 a.m., begin reopening from 12:45 p.m., and all affected roads are expected to be open to vehicles again by 4 p.m. (timeout.com) Some streets will also have parking suspensions from midnight until 4 p.m., according to the same report. Time Out listed affected roads including Andrews Road, Brooksby’s Walk, Dalston Lane, Eastway, Grove Road, Haggerston Road, Homerton High Street, Homerton Road, Lauriston Road and Lower Clapton Road. (timeout.com) ### How long will the race day run on for? The official race-day guide says the first finisher is expected at about 10:05 a.m. and the final finisher and race cut-off are scheduled for 2 p.m. The guide says the time limit is 3 hours 30 minutes from the last starter, bag drop closes at 2:30 p.m., and the festival village closes at 4 p.m. (timeout.com) Time Out separately reported that organisers expect the event itself to be over by midday, a timetable that sits alongside the longer official cut-off window for later starters. ### How can runners and spectators follow the race? (racedayguide.hackneymoves.com) Hackney Moves says participants can be tracked through the HOKA Hackney Moves app once they cross the start line. The race-day guide says users need the runner’s bib number and should search using digits only. The organiser’s website says the wider Hackney Moves weekend also includes a community 5K, a schools’ challenge, a trail event and a free festival at Hackney Marshes. (timeout.com) The site says entry windows for the 2027 HOKA Hackney Half are scheduled to open from May 18, one day after this year’s race. (hackneymoves.com) (racedayguide.hackneymoves.com)