David Weir and Samantha Kinghorn celebrate winning the Men’s and Women’s Elite Wheelchair Race

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About The Big Half

The Big Half, London’s community half marathon, starts at Tower Bridge and finishes by the famous Cutty Sark in Greenwich. It was first held in March 2018 and has since continued to grow as a popular mass participation event, attracting charity runners through to elites.

The aim of The Big Half is to inspire runners of all backgrounds and experiences to enjoy the mental and physical health benefits of running, and to celebrate and represent London’s diverse population. A special £10 community entry route is available to encourage entries from under-represented community groups based in the local area.

The following events also take place in London on the same day as The Big Half:

The Big Mile

  • A free mass participation event held on the same finishing stretch as The Big Half. The route is only a mile long, making it the perfect event for first-time runners or walkers, families with children and anyone looking to get more active. It’s also accessible to wheelchair users.


The New Balance Big Relay

  • A team event that takes place on the same 13.1-mile course as The Big Half, with the route divided into four legs of around 5K each. It’s ideal for participants of mixed abilities or anyone who isn’t quite ready to complete the full half marathon distance alone.

Essential Facts

Founded: by London Marathon Events  

 

First held: March 2018  

 

Length of course: 13.1 miles; 21.0975km  

 

First champions  

Men: Mo Farah, 61:40 (GBR)  

Women: Charlotte Purdue, 70:29 (GBR)  

Wheelchair men: Marcel Hug, 51:36 (SUI)  

Wheelchair women: Manuela Schar, 56:39 (SUI)  

 

Reigning champions  

Men: Jake Rowe, 61:08 (GBR)

Women: Calli Thackery, 69:15 (GBR)

Wheelchair Men: David Weir, 47:26 (GBR)  

Wheelchair Women: Samantha Kinghorn, 52:05 (GBR)  

 

Most victories  

Men: 3 (Mo Farah, GBR)  

Women: 3 (Charlotte Purdue, GBR)  

Wheelchair Men: 2 (David Weir, GBR)  

Wheelchair Women: N/A - six different winners  

 

Course records  

Men: 60:20 (Kenenisa Bekele, ETH, 2020)  

Women: 67:35 (Eilish McColgan, GBR, 2022)  

Wheelchair Men: 47:18 (David Weir, GBR, 2022)  

Wheelchair Women: 52:05 (Samantha Kinghorn, GBR, 2023)

 

Fastest Britons in London  

Men: Mo Farah 61:14 (2019)  

Women: Eilish McColgan 67:35 (2022)  

Wheelchair Men: David Weir 47:18 (2022)  

Wheelchair Women: Samantha Kinghorn 52:05 (2023)  

 

Prize money  

Elite Men and Women  

1) £3,000  

2) £2,000  

3) £1,500  

4) £1,000  

 

Wheelchair races  

1) £3,000  

2) £2,000  

3) £1,500  

 

TOTAL PRIZE FUND  

£14,000  

 

Record participant figures:  

Most finishers (including the New Balance Big Relay): 16,250 in 2020  

 

The course

The 13.1-mile route of The Big Half and the New Balance Big Relay starts on The Highway by Tower Bridge and finishes beside the historic Cutty Sark in Greenwich.

The route passes through the four London boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich – taking in Canary Wharf, Wapping, Tower Bridge, Rotherhithe and Deptford along the way – before finishing at the iconic sailing ship.

The Big Mile starts on Haddo Street in Greenwich town centre and heads out towards Deptford. It then doubles back through Greenwich to the Finish Line next to the Cutty Sark, which it shares with the half marathon.

You can download a map showing all the routes here.