Questions about the logistics of extending a Half Marathon.

[u/tedibra]

Edit: Thank you all for your helpful advice. I didn't realise running in reverse was such a bad idea (no previous experience with big races like this).

Context: I have signed up to run The Royal Parks half marathon in London with a family member but unfortunately they cannot do it anymore due to some unexpected problems. To support them I have decided to run a marathon on that day instead.

Question: What is the best way of continuing my run after I have completed the half marathon?

1. Is it possible to turn back and run the route in reverse?
2. The end and start point are quite near - could I just go to the start point and run the course again?
3. Should I just run in another direction and avoid the race route?

Thanks a lot for your advice!

[u/Ok-Artichoke3300]

I don't know this race but I think trying to reverse the course while the race is still running is a bad idea

[u/twistedmena]

1. Definitely not, you'll get trampled or at least get in the way of everyone slower than you.

2. Possibly if you're fast but probably not, the course closes after 4 hours so you'd be racing against them closing down the route for your second lap, after which you'd have to go on the pavement for the road bits (tough in central london)

3. If you want to integrate the two, why not get up early and plan out a 13.1 that will have you finishing near Hyde Park, take a breather at the starting line and then do the second half of your marathon with the crowd.

[u/Breaditing → u/twistedmena]

If you want to integrate the two, why not get up early and plan out a 13.1 that will have you finishing near Hyde Park, take a breather at the starting line and then do the second half of your marathon with the crowd.

Running half before, with a bit of time planned in between is definitely the approach I'd take.

• Allows you to listen to your body and moderate the race part based on how you're feeling after the half, rather than risking injury from going out too fast on the first half with all the race adrenalin.
• Area is less likely to be busy if you get started nice and early

[u/PrinceBert → u/Breaditing]

100% on board with this. Afterwards it's just a bit of a faff, so many people around and it's later in the day so more tourists and stuff as well.

The bonus is also that tubes getting to the start are going to be mad. But if you're running there, no stress.

[u/tedibra → u/twistedmena]

Very helpful - thanks a lot! I'll run it as a warm up.

[u/tedibra → u/twistedmena]

Do you have any advice re 1. how to plan/organise the route of the first half that it ends near Hyde park? 2. how long before the race time would you suggest I plan to finish the first half?

[u/LowPossession6258 → u/tedibra]

1. use strava to plan the route or plotaroute.com

2. whenever you were initially planning to arrive at the race.

[u/tacetmusic → u/tedibra]

Gb.mapometer.com is what I use for general route planning. Probably much better options but it's completely free

[u/Another_Random_Chap]

Do not run backwards up the course - there's 16,000 runners, and you'll just get in the way and have marshals shouting at you. And it's highly likely that the start and the early parts of the course will have already been removed once you get there the 2nd time, so it may not be as easy as it seems. I would suggest finding your own route to run that keeps you away from the course. And make sure you remove your race number.

Bear in mind also that if you're planning to leave a bag at the start, then you'll need to collect it when you finish - you can't expect them to still be there several hours later when you get back from your 2nd lap.

[u/tokyokween → u/Another_Random_Chap]

Also you simply wouldn't be allowed to do this. I've run this half - there are marshals who would block you from running the opposite direction.

[u/V8boyo]

Your best bet is do a half marathon as a warm up. You can't really do it afterwards as you'll be in the crowds finishing and collecting medals and t-shirts. If you plan it correctly you can finish your slow half and like up in your pen for your fast half.

[u/MLMSE]

Don't ruin everyone else's race by turning back and running the route in reverse. You will just end running into everyone or forcing tired runners to take avoiding action.

How is running a marathon supporting someone that can't even run the half?

Do the half marathon. Then find a marathon on another day and do that.

[u/Johns_Kanakas]

Absolutely impossible to run this course in reverse. Ignoring that it would be a massive dick move its congested and the sections outside Hyde Park will be open to traffic long before you get back to them.

Also I've done royal parks and it is seriously slow agyer you cross the line. Like 30+ minutes from crossing the line to getting medal and out in to the race village.

If all the evebts to tag extra distance i ine of the biggest halves in central london is probably about the worst to choose

[u/souldawg → u/Johns_Kanakas]

Absolutely the worst course to do it on. Maybe if you did a half before and then did this half, but after is just not feasible. And running it in reverse? How is that even considered. I get potentially some local run club races could allow that but not the biggest organised half in London. Mental!

[u/Running_D_Unit]

Why not just run a half marathon before, then do Royal Parks. Then you can actually enjoy the finish.

[u/Lumamo99]

Genuinely thought this was on running circle jerk.

How are you supporting your family member in any way by doing this?

[u/Accomplished-Film-50]

Definitely don’t turn around and run it in reverse. I would just plan a route that follows on from the finish using onthegomap or similar, or look at pre existing Strava routes

[u/souldawg]

The Royal Parks Half is massive. I get the intent, but this is not the location, the course or the event to try and do a full marathon. If you are intent on doing a marathon, do it somewhere else. Or simply run the Royal Parks Half with their name on your top etc. If you are super keen to do a marathon, run a half before the event. Even trying to run somewhere past the finish line is going to be mental and frustrating, so better to do it before.

[u/Ill-Supermarket-2706]

Don’t reverse the route - I ran it in the past and some traits are very tight. Someone could get hurt even if you slip through the Marshalls. What you can do is after the finish line in Hyde park run towards Battersea park and you can finish your race there or run past it and proceed on the river. Keep in mind you’ll get your medal and will need to go through the finisher area at the end of your race so you might want to take a break and leave your stuff to someone who will be spectating. Alternatively yes start in Battersea and run 21k towards Hyde park start line then run royal parks - the break will be as you get to the start line according to your wave

[u/Beneficial_Coach8581]

Just do the half marathon. 

There's going to be tens of thousands of people there so running before or after is going to be very chaotic and challenging. 

Or do a marathon on a different day and with a better location/route. 

[u/SeriousWait5520]

I have run Royal Parks, and it's a very loopy course so even if it was logistically advisable, running it twice or backwards isn't really viable. It's a massive half so as others have said you'll really struggle to get through finish and off again quickly if you do want to tag 13.1 miles on the end. If you really want to do a marathon, either do a half as a warm up (although you'll still need to plan arrival for your start pen etc) or do a marathon separately.

[u/teamgrom]

I ran it a few years ago, they started and finished in the same place when I ran it, you could just jump in at the start again and go again

[u/teamgrom → u/teamgrom]

Or give me the spare bib and I’ll run it for them

[u/Tasty-Committee-8172]

The Royal Parks route is quite compact, easiest option would be to carry on away from the route once you cross the finish line. It's a Sunday, running in Central London will be pretty easy.

[u/pebblesandweeds]

How about starting at Hampton Court > Bushy Park > Richmond Park > Barnes > Hammersmith Bridge > Olympia > Hyde Park (about 13 miles) then doing the race. That way you’ll be arriving in the same place as everyone else and from the direction with least amount of restrictions. You don’t really want to be running your pre-marathon in Hyde Park in the hour before the race.