A single-lap road half marathon with an undulating profile and a finish inside Reading’s football stadium. The colour-coded waves help you start with runners aiming for a similar time.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
Official maps & course details
- Start and finish
- The start is on Longwater Avenue in Green Park; the finish is inside the football stadium.
Use your final 2027 runner instructions for number collection and the journey from the race village to the start.
02 Choose your approach
Find your race strategy.
Choose your goal. These are our pacing suggestions, based on the published course, rather than organiser instructions.
My first finish
Join the zone printed on your bib; your chip time starts when you cross the line.
Break the run into the published three-mile water intervals and use only the stops you need.
Expect to keep working before the stadium, then enjoy the final approach without an early all-out sprint.
A PB or time goal
Use a target based on recent training and allow small pace changes on the undulations.
Take drinks without suddenly stopping in the running line.
Reassess in the last few miles before gradually increasing effort towards the stadium.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
- Water stations
- Approximately miles 3, 6, 9 and 12.
- On-course toilets
- A limited number at each water station.
Turn the station list into your plan
Mark the stops you expect to use and the fuel you will carry. If you use a gel that needs water, pair it with a published water point. Practise the products and cup or bottle format before race day; you do not have to try every item offered.
04 Before the start
Your race morning.
Times are local to the event. Work back from your own wave, allowing for the walk, toilets and bag drop.
The start
Start time
10:15, in your allocated colour-coded wave.
Finish window
Time limit
Roads begin reopening about four hours after the start. Contact the organiser if you expect to take longer.
Your allocated wave, event emails and final runner instructions take priority. Read the guide for your distance before travelling.
05 Make the day work together
Supporters & getting around.
Plan your support
Plan the reunion around the stadium exit. Choose an on-course cheer from the final route map rather than trying to drive across closed roads.
The places below are viewing ideas from the linked route or spectator guide. Use your edition’s access map for barriers, permitted crossings and any crew restrictions.
Stadium finish area
Follow the organiser’s spectator access plan and agree a meeting point outside the runner exit.
Published FAQ; final 2027 runner guide to follow
Official spectator or route informationMake the cheer easy to find
Agree a named point, the side of the road and your likely arrival window. Share your bib number for official tracking. Pick a separate reunion beyond the finish exit and a backup if the phone signal is poor.
Getting there and getting home
- Parking
- No parking at the stadium race village. Use the official travel plan.current
06 Before you book
Entry, fees & time limits.
Use the organiser’s entry page for the available places, current price and entry conditions.
Check official entry options- Race-day entries
- No entries on race day.
Can you finish inside the time limit?
- Time limit
- Roads begin reopening about four hours after the start. Contact the organiser if you expect to take longer.
Stay in the loop
Email me event updates.
Spend more time training and less time checking. Get the key updates for your race, straight to your inbox.
07 Make your training relevant
Practise for this course.
One thing to rehearse
Use a familiar undulating route to practise a steady effort and taking a drink without losing your rhythm.
08 Put your plan together
Useful before race day.
Plan your pre-run fuel
Explore meals and snacks around the time you have before running.
Explore the fuel plannerMake race fuel feel familiar
Understand how to practise taking carbohydrate during longer runs.
Read the guideUnderstand your everyday fuel
Learn how carbohydrate supports your running and recovery.
Read the guideA plan that fits your life.
Running, strength or both, with feedback and adjustments as your training develops.
Official race information
Use the organiser’s information for current entry terms, the published route and your final runner instructions. Course resources show their edition where it is known. Pacing and training suggestions are The Runner’s Journal’s guidance and should fit your experience, health and conditions.