Quicksilver Hampton Court Half Marathon

Super fast, flat course with PB potential and great scenery

Hampton Court-themed race with Henry VIII and Tudor followers on hand

Baggage storage

Toilets at start, finish and halfway mark

Closed roads over first mile

Professional marshals at all key points on course

Officially-measured Half Marathon distance

Pacer groups to help you achieve your target (ranging from 1:30 to 2:30)

Great medal – big, solid and great design!

Goody bag full of delicious treats

Technical t-shirt to all finishers

Arrival:

The race starts and finishes on Giggs Hill Green in Thames Ditton. The first mile of the course is run on closed roads, and in total 5 miles are traffic free. The 08.30am start time and new “wave” groupings have been designed to give runners a clear run on the open sections. There are good toilet facilities on site and other runner facilities including baggage storage. There are also toilets at approximately halfway round the course.

The race HQ is at Giggs Hill Green, Giggs Hill Road, Thames Ditton, KT7 0BT. Race HQ is based in the Event Village, on the green.

Please note that there is no onsite car parking and local runners are encouraged to come by foot, cycle or public transport. If you need to come by car, please use the Park & Ride service available.

Baggage:

Baggage storage will be available at the event HQ in a designated baggage area. Stewards will be available to keep the area secure and to assist with drop off and retrieval. Your race number contains a perforated strip at the bottom which you should detatch and loop around your baggage before handing it to the steward. It is recommended that you do not leave valuable items in your baggage. The organisers regretfully cannot accept responsibility for security and advise that competitors do not leave valuables in their bags.

Toilets:

Portaloos will be adjacent to the race village on Giggs Hill Green. There will be also be additional toilets at the halfway point on the course.

Chip Timing:

Your unique pre-programmed timing chip will be mailed to you 2 weeks in advance. This is a shoe chip and these will come with instructions when sent. Without your unique chip, a time and position will fail to be recorded for your performance.

For the Half Marathon, there will be two times recorded for each runner. The first is what is called the Gun Time. It’s the official race time and is the time that the runner takes to complete the course from the time the gun was fired. The second is the Chip Time. This records the time that the runner actually takes from crossing the start line to crossing the finish line. The difference between the two times is the time elapsed from when the starting signal sounds and the runner crosses the start line.

As far as the rules of athletics are concerned the Gun Time is the important time, and this is what the results and prizes are based on. The chip time though is important for the individual runner in assessing their performance in the race.

Finish:

The Finish is in the same place as the Start at Giggs Hill Green. On completion of the race, runners are invited to visit the Event Village where you can visit the sponsors tents, check out the free massages and chat to other runners. Hot drinks and food will be available on a cash basis from the official race vendors.

The timing chip attached to your shoe will record your race time as you cross the line. Make certain that you run over the matting in the finish funnel, this will ensure that your chip is registered.

On completion of the race, runners need to move promptly down the finishing funnel and will then be presented with their finishers medal, t-shirt and de-tagged before picking up free fruit, water and goody bags.

First Aid:

Professional First Aid cover will be available at the race to provide medical support if necessary.

Medical Conditions:

If you have a medical condition that will need consideration should you be taken ill, during the race, please write the details on the back of your race number. If you feel unwell before the race, or have not been well for a few days prior to the event, please do not start; remember there is always another year and another race.

Race Numbers:

All race numbers will be posted in advance. It is permitted to transfer race numbers to another person, but this should only be done in advance through the Race Registration service operated by Sport Systems. This is a condition for entering the race and is extremely important especially in the event of illness or an accident during the event. It may also affect the results, and may mean someone getting a prize to which they aren’t entitled. if your number has not arrived before race day please go straight to the Race HQ in the Event Village where the team will help you out.

Pin your race number on the FRONT of your running vest or t-shirt, where it is most visible for race officials. Runners who do not have a properly displayed number or are identified as running under the wrong name will be liable to disqualification.

Please complete the form on the back of your number with your name, contact details and any medical condition. This will help in the event of an accident or illness.

Race Discipline, Rules & Headphones:

The race is officially measured by the Association of Course Measurers and holds a Registered Distance certificate. It is licensed through Run Britain and holds a full United Kingdom Athletics licence (UKA licence number 2018-32063).

The route runs on public roads. Keep to the left of the road, pavement or path during the race. Take care when overtaking and make way for faster runners. If you need to stop or walk for any reason, please move to the side of the course, so as not to impede other runners. Instructions issued by the Race Marshals, who will be wearing fluorescent yellow bibs, MUST be obeyed. They will advise you of any hazards.

Policy on wearing headphones during the race:

The Hampton Court Half Marathon is run under licence from UK Athletics and we are bound by British Athletics rules. From 1st April 2016, a new rule banning the wearing of headphones in road races was introduced. This applies to races held on single carriageway roads that are not closed to traffic.

As the Hampton Court Half Marathon has significant sections on open roads, and because we feel it is the runners and organisers interest for runners to be able to hear marshals instructions, we do not permit the use of headphones on any open road sections of the race. Any runner not complying with these rules is liable to disqualification. The Race Referee’s decision is final at all times. This advice is for your own safety and that of other road users. Without your co-operation it is not possible to hold a race on public roads.

However, please do note that bone-conducting headphones are allowed under UKA rules and therefore allowed in this race.

Start:

All competitors should try to arrive at least one hour before the start to allow time for warming up and lining up. The race will start promptly at 8.30 am. Listen for the race marshals instructions to guide you to the start at the appropriate time.

Please be realistic about your expected performance, line up according to how fast you plan to run. The race cut off time will be 3 hours. Runners arriving after this time will be permitted to finish but may not be fully supported.

To avoid congestion on the course and especially over the first few miles, we will employ a wave start process with a gap of a minute between each wave.

Please pay attention to the pre-race instructions. These are for the benefit of all runners, and will help guide you through the course and keep you safe. This advice is for your own safety and that of other road users.

You must be certain to run over the matting at the start line to ensure that your chip is registered.

Water Stations:

Water stations will be provided at approximately 3 mile intervals.

You don’t need to run to be part of the Hampton Court Half Marathon! Volunteer, have fun and be part of the team responsible for making the event a wonderful success for runners and spectators.

Not only is it a great way to experience the race if you have a friend or family member running, it can also help to enhance your CV if you are working towards a career in Events Management.

If you’d like to be a volunteer at the Hampton Court Half Marathon or would like to know more details, get in touch with us at: https://hamptoncourthalf.com/contact-us/

Which charities are involved with the race?

The Quicksilver Hampton Court Half will be directly raising money for associated charities, although many runners also fundraise personally for charities of their choice. A list of headline/partner charities can be found at: https://hamptoncourthalf.com/charities/