The 43rd Windsor Half Marathon will take place on the 26th September 2027. The Windsor Half starts at 10am inside Great Windsor Park, Berkshire.
This Windsor Half Marathon takes place annually on the last Sunday in September. The Start and Finish is on the Long Walk with Windsor Castle as the backdrop – probably the most iconic of all road race finishes in the UK!
Early bird entries are now open! Click Here
REASONS TO RUN THE WINDSOR HALF MARATHON
Great Windsor Park, Berkshire, SL4 2BD
Friends and family are warmly welcome to support you and celebrate at the finish festival with delicious food vendors, Fizz bar and live music.
For 2027, we’re committed to keeping entry prices as low as possible. To help us do this, race numbers will need to be collected in advance or on race day, rather than posted out.
Numbers can be collected from selected local sports shops from two weeks before the race, or from the race village on race day.
Full collection details will be emailed two weeks before the race.
Fully Closed Roads
Any community event like us cannot happen without the help of volunteers. Volunteer posts vary in time so even if you have a couple of hours to offer we would love to have you! Click here for more information and to sign up.
First held in 1982, the Windsor Half Marathon has grown into one of the UK’s most beloved road races, combining sporting challenge with regal splendour.
Each September, more than 3,500 runners gather at Windsor Great Park to race the 13.1-mile course, which begins and ends along the Long Walk, with Windsor Castle looking on. The course winds past historic landmarks, woodland, deer park, and scenic avenues – creating a dramatic backdrop that distinguishes Windsor from most other half marathons.
The route is undulating but includes rewarding descents, and is run on closed roads, offering a traffic-free and memorable experience.
On race day, portions of Crown Estate land—normally closed to the public—are opened to participants, adding to the sense of occasion.
The 2027 edition, for example, is billed as the 43rd running of the race.
About Windsor Great Park
Windsor Great Park is the only Royal Park managed by The Crown Estate. Once part of an extensive Norman hunting forest, the landscape was enclosed in the late 13th century. Its ancient character is still evident today in the magnificent old oak trees, many of which have stood for centuries and are now iconic features of the park.
During Queen Victoria’s reign, Prince Albert was appointed Park Ranger and played a key role in developing farming and forestry within the park. His contributions are commemorated in one of three equestrian statues in the park—his statue overlooks Smith’s Lawn.
Victoria also oversaw the establishment of a school to educate the children of estate workers, a role it continues to serve today, although its pupils now come from beyond the park’s boundaries. Later, in the 20th century, a purpose-built village was created to house estate workers, complete with its own Post Office and General Store, strengthening the sense of community within the park.
The park’s current herd of red deer was introduced in 1979 by the then Park Ranger, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. Beginning with 40 hinds and two stags brought from Balmoral, the herd has since grown to around 600 animals, which can often be seen grazing across the sweeping parkland.
To celebrate the Golden Jubilee in 2002, The Crown Estate Commissioners commissioned a third equestrian statue, depicting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on horseback, now proudly located at the southern end of Queen Anne’s Ride.
For runners, Windsor Great Park offers some of the most scenic routes in the UK, blending history, nature, and wide-open landscapes:
Long Walk & Queen Anne’s Ride – Iconic, tree-lined avenues offering long, uninterrupted stretches ideal for distance runs.
Deer Park Loop – A popular route where runners can often spot the resident red deer herd.
Smith’s Lawn – A flatter section near the polo grounds, perfect for steady runs.
Virginia Water Lake – A 4.5-mile circular route around the ornamental lake with woodland trails and stunning views.
With its mix of historic landmarks, ancient woodland, and open parkland, Windsor Great Park is not just a royal landscape but also one of the country’s most inspiring places to lace up your running shoes.
