runner information
race number
You will either receive your race number in the post or if you’ve chosen to collect from our Festival Village in advance, then you’ll need to pick up your race number from the help desk on Hackney Marshes on Friday 16 May (16:00 – 19:00), or Saturday 17 May (09:00 – 17:00).
Any runner that participates with a race number that is not assigned to them in our system, is committing a serious breach of our Terms & Conditions. This poses a significant health & safety risk to not only the person running in the incorrect race number, but to all of our runners on the day.
A race number breakdown can be found here.
If you have opted for collection you’ll need to pick up your race number from the help desk on Hackney Marshes on Friday 16 May (16:00 – 19:00), or Saturday 17 May (09:00 – 17:00).
You must bring a physical PHOTO ID with you, as well as your QR code, to be able to pick up your event pack. QR codes will be sent out via text in the week leading up to the race. Please note: race number collection will not be available on Sunday 18th May. We recommend coming on Friday afternoon or Saturday morning when it is likely to be quieter!
If you cannot collect your own race number, you can ask a friend/family member, so long as the person picking up the pack can show your PHOTO ID (must be a physical copy), as well as your pack collection QR code. Please note there will be strict procedures in place: the person picking up the pack will also be asked to sign a declaration confirming that they have permission to collect this race number on behalf of the runner and are not intending to run in the race number themselves.
race pack collection
race results
Results will be published on our website shortly after the race. If you provided your mobile number when you registered, you will also receive a text message with your official race time shortly after you have finished the race.
start pens
Your race number shows the letter of the start pen that you have been assigned, based on your predicted finish time. Please follow the signs to your relevant pen and make sure you enter the correct one. Volunteers will be positioned at each start pen entrance to help with any queries. Please note that if you would like to run with a friend who has been allocated a different start pen, you may move backwards to an alternative pen, but not forwards closer to the start.
pacers
The dream team of pacers are back again and as well as helping you hit your target times they’ll also be supporting you to get to that finish line. Look out for the pacers joining you in the start pens wearing their bright HOKA pacer flags with their respective pace times. Expect to see at least two pacers for each time from 1h 30 to run/walk pace. The pacer team are made up of regular and new pacers, and are keen to support and encourage you to your Wizz Air Hackney Half goal whether that’s a PB or to complete in style.
2025 Pacers
race day entertainment
We have a fantastic line-up of live entertainment positioned at every mile, to energise runners and keep spirits high for all. We strongly suggest running without headphones to hear any necessary emergency announcements and to soak up the sounds along the route. We will release our full line up in the coming weeks!
aid stations
Aid Stations 1,2,4 & 6 will provide water in cups, Aid Station 3 will provide energy product in cups and Aid Station 5 will provide water in 330ml bottles. Volunteers will be helping you at the six aid stations on the half marathon route.
Please only take one cup at a time, our volunteers will be happy to refill it for you if you require more water. Please try to dispose of your cups into the large bins that will be placed to the side of the road just after each aid station. Cups that don’t make it into the bins are much harder to recycle so we’re hoping you can all help us be as green as possible. If you are not planning to take water, then please try to keep to the opposite side of the road to allow other runners through. The water stations are long so there’s no need to rush to the first table!
course marshals
Marshals wearing hi-vis vests will be positioned at regular intervals along the route and are there to help you if needed.
first aid
There are two medical centres located within the Festival Village. One is placed after the finish line for runners and the other is placed within the Village for athletes, spectators and members of the public. Professional medical staff will be available around the Festival Village, as well as on the course. In the event of an emergency on course, runners will be asked to move to the left side of the road to allow access for an emergency vehicle - please follow instructions given by the Course Marshals.
race cut off
The Wizz Air Hackney Half has a race cut-off time of 3.5 hours for all participants, which means a minimum pace of 16/min miles. Due to limitations on our road closure timings, any runners going more slowly (aka party pace) who are predicted to finish after 14:00, may be asked to move to the pavement so the road reopening times are not impacted.
FESTIVAL VILLAGE INFORMATION
Volunteers in the village should be able to help on the day - they’ll be in the red high-vis vests with ‘Here To Help’ printed on them. Ask them all your burning questions and give them an extra thanks for their help.
help desk
If you have your race number ready with you on race day, then you’re ready to go! However, if you have any queries with your race pack, visit our help desk in the Festival Village.
quiet area
This year we will be offering a quiet area within the event village, located next to our changing facilities. This will be available for anybody to use, if they need to pray or breast feed or just take five minutes away from the buzz! We ask all runners to be respectful of one another when using this area.
SANITARY PRODUCTS
TOTM are kindly supplying the event with a variety of products which you can request at our help and information desks in the village, as well as marshals and volunteers at aid stations on the route.
CHANGING FACILITIES
Both male and female changing facilities are located within the Festival Village, close to the bag drop tents.
meeting points
It’s often busy and crowded at the end of the rewards area, so please arrange to meet your friends and family post-race at a designated area or use one of our numbered meeting point flags 1-10.
photography
Our friendly photographers at Marathon Photos will be taking your snaps on course, as well at the finish line. Look out for the “smile for the camera” signs and be sure to give the photographers a wave or thumbs up if you’re feeling the love. We will send you an email with a link to your photos to purchase in the days after the race. Every time you pass a Marathon Photos Live photographer, you could have photos online within seconds! Photos will be LIVE from the start of the race.
prize giving
As always, our ambition is to create our events so that they are fully inclusive and appeal to participants of all experience and abilities. We are investing our resources into our overall event experience for our participants and engagement with the local community, from hosting engaging route entertainment and festival village activities, to improving the event’s sustainability and carbon footprint. This is all whilst continuing to deliver seamless race operations as part of a safe and enjoyable day for all taking part.
Whilst we’re all about celebrating every single participant in the Wizz Air Hackney Half, we still want to acknowledge the speedy performance of our race winners and will therefore be offering prizes for the fastest in the female, male, non-binary and racing wheelchair categories. Our first placed non binary runner will be contacted in the week following the event regarding their prize. Prizes will include vouchers and products, courtesy of our official event partners.
race number breakdown
Race Number: Below is an example of your race number, prefixed with a letter which corresponds to the start pen you have been allocated based on your predicted finish time. This indicates which arrival window you should aim to arrive in on race day (see Race Day Timetable). Your race number is individual to you and cannot be resold or transferred. Please fill in the emergency details on the reverse of your number. You can use safety pins to secure your number to the front of your shirt so please be sure to bring some with you. If you are unable to source your own safety pins, you can pop by the helpdesk to pick some up.
Bag & Claim Ticket: At the bottom of your race number are two tear off tags. The bottom tag attaches to your bag and is your baggage label. The top tag is your reclaim tag – keep this attached to your race number throughout the run and have it ready to hand to the baggage staff to collect your bag quickly after the race.
Name Box: Make sure you write your name on the front of your bib, so spectators can cheer you on!
Timing Chip: Your timing chip, which accurately measures your time, is attached to your race number. Please do not remove, bend, fold or cover the chip, as we will be unable to track your time.
