Planning out those crucial test races in a training block can be the make or break moments in the build up to the start line, so the launch of a new half marathon in London, in March, might well tick that box for those with a spring marathon looming.
Taking place on March 16th 2025, Legacy Races is promoting the Hackney Legacy Half, a half marathon in east London's Victoria Park. However, this new race has been born with a higher purpose as its founders, Brad Farrant (leader at Track Mafia) and Marcus Brown (founder of 1% Running Club, host of A Runner's Life podcast) explain; 'This year, I’m training for my 8th London Marathon and I was frustrated by the lack of a local half-marathon tune-up race. The Big Half used to fill that role, but moving it to September leaves a gap. That’s why Brad and I decided to create one. As leaders from different running communities, we’ve noticed many of the runners we work with who are training for the London marathon, haven’t even run a half before, so this race is designed to help them test fitness, practice pacing and build confidence before the big day.
Growing up in Hackney, Brad and I want to do something local for our neighbours, it’s also really important to collaborate with the Local running club Victoria Park Harriers. The running community is mature enough at this stage to support both diversity and performance. We believe running fast is fun and a valuable tool for self-development, and no-one should feel excluded from that, so we aim for this race to be accessible and represent these values.'
The event is being hosted at Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlets AC's clubhouse by the Molesworth Gate at the north east corner of the park. 'Victoria Park is the centre of the Hackney and Tower Hamlets communities where Brad and I grew up' says Brown, 'so it’s the perfect place to host an event of this kind, and we’re super grateful to VPH for working with us to engage the wider community as well as club runners.'
The race is intended to provide all runners of all backgrounds with an opportunity to test themselves, either as a singular goal or as a stepping stone towards the London and Manchester Marathons that take place six weeks later.
'We often find at Track Mafia that our runners get an entry to the London Marathon, but they struggle to scale their training towards race day, says Farrant. 'A half marathon six weeks out is the perfect launch pad – if it goes well, you know you're on track and if it doesn't, you've still got time to put things right. We're also conscious to make sure the event is welcoming to everyone – it’s gonna be fun.'
The event covers 13.1 miles on a fast, flat and certified looped course around Victoria Park, completely free of motor traffic and with aid stations, toilets and cheer zones on every lap. The race will provide pacers to help runners hit their goals and there will be prizes for top finishers as well as a collectible, limited edition T-shirt for all finishers.
Tickets cost £35 and runners can enter here.
The event is support is by Progress Run Club and Precision Fuel & Hydration.
