The Hampton Court Half Marathon isn’t just a race—it’s a scenic tour through some of southwest London’s most historic and iconic landmarks. As runners make their way along the flat, fast course, they’re treated to a route steeped in royal history, river views, and architectural charm. Here’s a highlight of what you’ll see along the way:
At mile 10, the race runs pass the majestic Hampton Court Palace, a former royal residence rich with Tudor and Baroque architecture. Built in the early 1500s, it was famously seized by King Henry VIII from Cardinal Wolsey.
Crossing the River Thames during the run, Kingston Bridge connects runners to centuries of history. First dating back to 1190, and rebuilt in 1828 using bricks originally prepared for a Napoleonic war that never happened, it was once the only crossing between London Bridge and Staines. Today, it provides a grand riverside vista and a literal bridge between past and present and also mile 11 of the race.
As runners pass through Kingston, they’re near the Coronation Stone—a legendary slab where at least seven Anglo-Saxon kings were crowned, including Æthelstan, the first King of England. Its mysterious past includes possible Druidic or Roman roots, and its current resting place near the Guildhall still commands awe.
A breath of fresh air awaits in Canbury Gardens, a beautifully maintained Victorian-era riverside park. Developed in 1890, its tranquil paths and leafy greenery offer a peaceful interlude midway through the race—perfect for a visual reset before heading back toward the finish line.
On the final stretch, runners cross Hampton Court Bridge, an elegant structure first built in 1753 and redesigned in 1933. The original wooden bridge was so unpopular it was burned on purpose. Today’s bridge provides not just a crossing point, but a symbol of the community's evolving character—and a key moment before the final push toward the palace.
Whether you're chasing a PB or soaking up the scenery, the Hampton Court Half Marathon delivers more than just miles—it’s a run through over a thousand years of history. From ancient coronations to riverside views, every step brings you closer to Britain’s regal past.
History Overview
The Hampton Court Half Marathon began on 23rd February 2014, created by local organiser Peter Wedderburn of Quicksilver Events. Designed to fill a gap in the winter racing calendar, the scenic course features historic sights and bridges, including the iconic Hampton Court Palace and Kingston Bridge. Since its inception, over 28,000 runners have completed the race (as of March 2025).
The course is known for being fast and flat, making it ideal for personal bests. The male course record of 1:08:49 was set by Christopher Wright (Serpentine RC) in 2019, while the female record of 1:18:37 was set by Annie Birch (London City AC) in 2022.
Notable milestones in its history include:
Record participation in 2018 with 4,071 runners.
A pause in 2021 due to COVID-19.
A transition of organisers in 2023, with River Thames Running (RunFest Ltd) taking over from Quicksilver Running in 2024.
In 2014, the first ever Hampton Court Half Marathon took place with 2103 finishers. Sadly the course was slightly short so did not count in the official results.
In 2015, 2622 runners finished the race with Natali Seymour running the then female record in a time of 1 hour, 22 minutes and 29 seconds.
In 2016, 3856 runners finished the event with Tom Jervis (Warrington AC) beating the then Male record in a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes and 57 seconds.
In 2017, 3951 runners finished.
In 2018, a record 4071 runners finished the race and Peter Hawkings (Highgate Harriers broke the then male course record.
In 2019, there were 2768 finishers and Christopher Wright (Serpentine run club) broke the course record in a time of , 1 hour 8 minutes and 49 seconds). He was more than a minute ahead of Lithuanian athlete Andrius Jaksevicius (Belgrave Harriers, 1:09:53).
In 2020, there were 2844 finishers and Anna Bergsten broke the female course record, she ran 1 hour 20minutes and 56 seconds.
In 2021, The Hampton Court Half Marathon did not take place due to covid restrictions.
In 2022, there were 1478 finishers and Annie Birch (London City AC) broke the female course record. in a time of 1 hour, 18 minutes and 37 seconds.
In 2023 (26th Feb), there were 1841 finishers. This was Quicksilver Running's last event in charge of the event.
In 2024, there were 1123 finishers and the first event organised by River Thames Running with Tom Bedford as new race director.
In 2025, there were 1489 finishers and the race finished in its new event village in SHL.
In 2026, there were 1497 finishers.
