Max SteventonA record 17,876 people completed the Big Half in London yesterday (6 September).
The figure was more than 650 higher than last year’s total, with the ninth edition of the half marathon taking place between Tower Bridge and the Cutty Sark in Greenwich.
Nearly 400 community groups from across London took part in the Big Half and New Balance Big Relay, with more than 7,000 participants entering through community group places. The community entries offer discounted entry fees to enable people from a wider range of London communities to take part.
The event also featured the Big Mile, which recorded 1,768 finishers on the final one-mile section of the Big Half course.
Community groups, bands and DJs were positioned along the route, with cheer zones supporting participants during the race.
In the elite men’s race, Kadar Omar Abdullahi won his first Big Half title while Eilish McColgan won the elite women’s race. In the wheelchair races, David Weir won the men’s race for the fifth time and set a new course record for the second consecutive year. Eden Rainbow-Cooper won the women’s wheelchair race for the third time.
A new blood donation activation was also introduced at the event village through a partnership between NHS Blood and Transplant and Bloodlines. The activation encouraged participants to learn about blood types and blood donation, while seven Bloodlines runners took part in the Big Half through community entries.
Big Half head of community engagement and event lead Big Half said Sanaa Qureshi said, “It’s been a brilliant day. The ambition behind the Big Half has always been to celebrate the vibrant diversity of London and create an event where everyone feels welcome.
“I’m proud to say that 37% of this year’s participants are from ethnically diverse communities, a 10-percentage point increase from last year.
“We put community at the heart of the Big Half and with more than 7,000 participants from London’s inspiring community groups taking part, the event has been a showcase of the wonderful people, cultures and communities that make this city so unique.”