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England

Hackney Half Marathon 2026

  • Hackney, London
  • 17 May 2026
  • 13.1 miles
  • Registration fee: £29
  • Fundraising pledge: £329
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Join Team Shelter for the Hackney Half Marathon and experience the buzz of one of London's biggest running events.

Starting and finishing at Hackney Marshes, the route winds through this creative and vibrant East London borough. It's a relatively flat, closed-road course with only gentle undulations. Ideal for beginners or experienced runners chasing a personal best!

Soak up the festival atmosphere, with live music and entertainment to motivate you every step of your race.

When you run and fundraise for Shelter, you help make housing justice a reality.

You must be at least 16 years old to run the Hackney Half Marathon (provided you turn 17 on or before 31 December 2026).

Already have your own place?

If you've already secured a spot, you can use your place to help create housing justice by running and fundraising for Shelter. We'd love for you to join the team – please get in touch.

Join Team Shelter

Have any questions?

Check our event guidance or get in touch at running@shelter.org.uk.

Volunteer

Want to help out at this event? Sign up to volunteer.

All our fundraisers get the very best from us, including:

  • a Shelter technical running top

  • training plans created by our partners GH Training

  • personal trainer support

  • fundraising advice

  • we'll be there to cheer you on

  • post-race reception (a hero's welcome and refreshments)

Your run fuels the fight for home

A man wearing a Shelter running vest smiles and poses with his medal after finishing the Hackney Half Marathon.

Sign up for a Shelter charity place and defend the right to a safe home for everyone. Thanks to fundraisers like you, last year:

  • 15,975 households received support from our emergency helpline

  • 12,203 households visited our local hubs for advice

  • 4,673 households worked with our legal advice services

We stand with families crammed into hotel rooms, with their children sharing beds. We advocate for renters facing eviction. And we campaign for long-term change that will tackle the root causes of homelessness.

Home is a human right. Join us and be part of the fight for housing justice.

Rachel McMahon, a Shelter runner, said:

'Huge thanks to you all for the support on the course and at the end. I had a great day, and really loved being part of #TeamShelter.'

Fundraising for Shelter

We recommend you start by setting up a fundraising page on JustGiving and asking friends, family and colleagues to sponsor you. You can also organise an event such as a bake sale or quiz. See our fundraising resources for more inspiration.

Please make sure you’re confident in reaching the fundraising pledge before you sign up. We invest in places at charity events and need to raise as much as possible for our fight against housing injustice.

Our friendly Events team are on hand to support you with your fundraising. If you have a question or want to talk through ideas, email running@shelter.org.uk or call us on 0344 515 1190.

Read our full guidance about running and fundraising for Shelter

A runner in a Shelter vest that reads 'Home is everything' on the back raises their arms in celebration as they pass the cheer point of the Hackney Half Marathon.