A flat trail half marathon based at Alexandra Gardens in Windsor. Firm paths and a compact event village make the surface and start time more useful planning details than a city-road comparison.
01 Know what you are taking on
What is the race like?
Official maps & course details
For the half marathon, contact the organiser if you expect to take more than three hours. Use final instructions for collection and exact station locations.
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
Check your distance’s start time: the 10K and half marathon start separately.
Choose a comfortable early effort and leave space when passing on paths.
Use the Alexandra Gardens event base for a simple finish and reunion plan.
A PB or time goal
Use your recent performance on similar paths to set the target.
Keep turns and changes of footing smooth instead of making repeated surges.
Only build effort late when you can keep a clear line and relaxed technique.
03 Know what is on the course
Drinks, fuel & toilets.
- Water
- Available on the course and at the finish; exact stop positions are not listed.
- Toilets
- Portable toilets in the event village.
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
09:20.
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
The organiser recommends the event village for watching the start and finish. Walk in from a Windsor station or approved parking; avoid trying to drive along the running route.
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.
Alexandra Gardens event village
The organiser’s suggested spectator base for the start and finish.
2027
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
- Rail access
- Windsor & Eton Central and Riverside stations are a short walk from the village.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 optionsStay 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
Try your shoes on a familiar firm trail and practise steady running through changes of footing.
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.