Girls Get Running at Royal Parks Half Marathon
While lockdown saw a surge in running for fun – how many of us are still out there, pounding the pavements? A fair few, it seems!
And if the running bug refuses to shift, it’s possible that your Couch to 5k progressed to a 10k, and then beyond. Fancy a swift half anyone?
If you’re looking for a half that ticks all the boxes, Belle highly recommends the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which takes place on the second Sunday of October every year. And this week the UK’s most popular run for women announced the return of British women’s activewear brand Sweaty Betty as the official apparel partner for the second year running.
Inclusivity and Equality
16,000 runners are set to take part in the race this year, and last year 52% of runners were female, making it one of the UK’s only major running events to have more female competitors than male.
Sweaty Betty’s mission to empower women through fitness and beyond aligns seamlessly with the RPHM’s emphasis on inclusivity, welcoming participation from people of all abilities and experiences.
The Royal Parks Half has raised nearly £60 million for charity since 2008, and the girls (and guys) at Sweaty Betty tell Belle they share this commitment to giving back, with 160 members of the activewear brand’s internal team taking part in the race to raise funds for the Sweaty Betty Foundation, whose mission is to empower girls from every background to get active, and stay active, for life.
Commenting on the partnership, Liz Tack, Head of Royal Parks Half Marathon told Belle About Town: “We are delighted to welcome Sweaty Betty as our official apparel partner for our 16th annual race. For the second year running, they will bring their unique energy to the event and participants will be able to enjoy a warm-up and cool-down in the event village led by Sweaty Betty and their expert team. The countdown is well and truly on until the 8th of October and I can’t wait to cheer on all those taking part.”
Global Sweaty Betty Brand President, Melissa Mullen, added: “As a British heritage brand, it is an honour to work with the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and iconic races in the UK. Our partnership with the race marks the start of Sweaty Betty’s 25th birthday celebrations, and I’m delighted to be doing so with an organisation that truly aligns with our brand values.”
Royal Parks Route Return
Following the return to the race’s original route in 2022, runners this year will once again start and finish in London’s Hyde Park. The 13.1 mile course takes runners through four of London’s beautiful Royal Parks, including Hyde Park, The Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens, as well as past several of London’s iconic landmarks including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square and the Royal Albert Hall. Click here to view the full route.
