At London Marathon Events we believe that sport and activity should be accessible for all, which is why our dedicated team supports people with a huge range of disabilities – from elite wheelchair athletes to everyday participants – to take part in The Big Half.

Please see below for more information on how to take part in The Big Half if you have a disability. If you require assistance with our online entry system or have any questions or concerns, please get in touch and we'll be happy to help.

Assisted wheelchair entry

A limited number of assisted wheelchair participants can take part, with a maximum number of four support personnel helping to push them from Tower Bridge to Greenwich. Of the four support team members, only two can push the assisted wheelchair at any one time.

Eligibility criteria

Please note:

• handbikes, skates, roller blades, skateboards, scooters or any geared device may not be used under any circumstances and motorised devices are still not permitted
• the only wheeled equipment or devices that you may use are:
• IPC-approved racing chairs (entered into the Elite or Para Athletics events)
• standard day chairs/wheelchairs with a maximum width of 95cm and length of 2.2 metres (entered into the mass participation event) – a free wheel attachment may be also used
• Race Runners – but please contact disability@londonmarathonevents.co.uk first if you wish to use one of these

All entrants in The Big Half must be aged 17 or over on Event Day. To receive a finisher’s medal, you must complete the event by the official cut-off time.

Exoskeletons

If you need a battery-operated robotic exoskeleton, such as Rewalk, you can now use this to complete The Big Half. A team of four helpers can also join you for the event, with a maximum of two helpers allowed on the course with you at any one time. Please get in touch for more information.

Elite wheelchair entry

The table below shows the classifications and qualifying times athletes must achieve to meet the eligibility criteria to apply for a place in The Big Half elite wheelchair races.

Men

T54 Half Marathon – T51, T52, T53, T54 – 1:20:00

Women

T54 Half Marathon – T51, T52, T53, T54 – 1:20:00

To apply for an elite wheelchair place in The Big Half please email paraathletes@londonmarathonevents.co.uk

Please note:

• all participants in the in the T51/T52 or T53/54 competitions must use a racing wheelchair approved under World Para Athletics rules
• no handcycles are permitted
• all participants must have a national classification

Taking part with a support runner

If you are visually impaired and need the assistance of a guide, or your disability and/or medical condition means you need a support runner, you can apply for a free The Big Half place for them. Please get in touch with us via the email address below outlining your request and the reasons for it.

Further support for participants with disabilities:

Accessible toilets

An accessible toilet will be located alongside each bank of portaloos after every Drinks Station (at Miles 3, 6, 9, 11) on The Big Half course and at each New Balance Big Relay changeover location. Look out for the advanced warning sign ‘Toilets 200m’ and once you arrive at the location, the accessible toilet will be placed closest to the access point (such as by a dropped kerb or similar).

Waivers

If you have a disability and would like to request a waiver of the cut-off time for medal purposes, or if you would like to use a Race Runner or similar equipment, you must submit a request to disability@londonmarathonevents.co.uk

Please outline the nature of your request and the reasons for it, and please remember that you must have a place in the event for your request to be considered. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis – we look forward to hearing from you.