If you're looking for a spring half, there's still places left
As the spring marathon season looms increasingly closer and people prepare for their final training sessions before the London Marathon, it’s time to sign up for those last races to test the legs out. And if you’re looking for a race that’s close to London then the Reading Half Marathon still has places left.
- Preparing for London: Read our London Marathon race guide
Over the past decade, Reading Half has become one of the country’s higher echelon of races with over 15,000 participants heading there each year to take part.
Why take part?
Aside from the fact it’s only 25-minutes by train from London and it’s conveniently located just a few weeks from the London marathon, the Reading Half is hailed as one of the UK’s favourite annual running events for many reasons.
- Read more: The best half marathons in the world
The carefully designed route, which has seen ongoing changes since the race was first ran in 1983, takes in some of Reading’s most famous locations from the University grounds and the River Kennet to the crowds in the town centre and the final sprint finish at Madejski Stadium.
Those same course developments have meant that Reading offers one of the faster half marathon routes in the UK, so if you’re looking for a good time on a relative flat course (be warned, there is some undulation across the route) then it’s well worth a look.
If 13.1 miles seems like too much, the event also sees the Green Park Challenge, a fun 3km run starting at 08.30 for children as young as four and adults.
When is it?
5th April 2020 at 10.15am
How much?
The Reading Half Marathon costs £44 or £42 for those with AAA affiliation.
How to get there from London
Frequent trains run from London Paddington Station taking around 25 minutes. The organisers also supply a free shuttle bus for runners that picks up from the station to the race village at Madejski Stadium.
To find out more about the Reading Half Marathon click here.
