// ENTRIES NOW CLOSED FOR 2020
Our COVID guidelines mean that we have limited this years race to 700 runners, which means we have now reached our capacity for entries for the 2020 Leamington Half Marathon ON TOUR.
We look forward to seeing you again next year for the 2021 Leamington Half Marathon!
// #LEAMHALFONTOUR
The race is on – but with a twist! The Leamington Spa Half Marathon returns for it’s 3rd year on Sunday 18th October 2020 – at Warwick Racecourse.
We are delighted to announce that a version of the Leamington Spa Half Marathon will take place at Warwick Racecourse on Sunday 18th October 2020. Due to the restrictions put in place caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we cannot host the half marathon on the usual route. However, our operations team has worked tirelessly to find a solution, and we are thankful to Warwick Racecourse for hosting the event, which will operate in line with government guidelines.
// VIRTUAL RUN OPPORTUNITY
The streets of Leamington Spa should have been packed out this Sunday 5th July, with
thousands of enthusiastic runners racing in the town’s annual Half Marathon, cheered on by
friends and family.
However, with the government guidelines still not allowing for such events due to the
effects caused by the pandemic, the race has now been moved to October 18th 2020 and will be held at Warwick Racecourse.
Already-registered athletes are now also being offered the opportunity to receive their
medal early by completing The Leamington Spa Half Marathon – Virtual Race in a single run between July 5th (the original date of the race) and August 5th 2020.
The Leamington Spa Half Marathon race registration is active EITHER for a virtual run between July 5th and August 5th, OR for the actual live event on October 18. If athletes wish to complete a virtual half marathon, they need to share a photo that evidences this to the Raceways social media pages during the July 5th – August 5th 2020 time period.
Raceways also reminds athletes to only attempt this virtual challenge if it safe to do so, and
aligned with government guidelines around social distancing during the current pandemic.
// KIDS FUN RUN CANCELLATION
Raceways regrets to announce that it will be unable to host the annual kids’ fun run when the 2020 Leamington Spa Half Marathon takes place.
While many adult races in 2020 have been cancelled due to the effects of the global pandemic, the Raceways team and Warwick Racecourse have come together and agreed to host the half marathon there on Sunday 18th October, as the traditional route was not deemed suitable in the current climate.
Athletes competing in the half marathon at the racecourse will start in waves, based on their predicted finishing time, in order to keep all runners safe by continuing to observe social distancing guidelines set by the government. The racecourse provides ample space for the athletes who will complete the 21.1km route.
Raceways is part of Marathon Kids, a national charity that organises two free running programmes – Marathon Kids in schools and term time, and Marathon Kids in parks at holidays and at weekends.
Based on our experience of organising thousands of races for kids over the past decade, we do not feel it is logistically possible or fair to ask children – many of whom will be primary school age – to comply with the social distancing regulations that the adults will have to adhere to.
The kids fun run will return in 2021, and we apologise for any disappointment caused.
// FUNDRAISING
The Leamington Spa Half Marathon’s official charity partner is Leamington Spa based children’s charity Marathon Kids who are on a mission to get kids moving – find out more about their work HERE.
Would you like to run the Leamington Spa Half Marathon on 18th October 2020 for FREE and fund raise for Marathon Kids?
If so, enter online as normal and say YES to fundraising for Marathon Kids when prompted. Once entered, you’ll be contacted by one of our fundraising team who will help get you set up and once you’ve raised £125 we’ll refund your entry fee. It couldn’t be easier!
Or if you’d like to run and raise funds for a charity close to your own heart then we’d encourage you to set up an online fundraising page (i.e. Virgin Money Giving, Just Giving) as an individual or as a team.
