.png)
The Big Half 2027: Course, Entry And Race Day Guide
The Big Half takes runners from Tower Bridge to the Cutty Sark, crossing east and south London over 13.1 miles. It combines a fast course with famous landmarks and support from the communities along the route.
The Big Half 2027 takes place on Sunday 5 September. Whether you are hoping for a personal best, preparing for your first half marathon or running for charity, here is what to know about the course, entry and race day.
The Destination
The Big Half gives runners a view of London beyond the streets usually associated with its biggest races. The route passes through Tower Hamlets, Southwark, Lewisham and Greenwich, moving between modern business districts, older neighbourhoods and areas beside the Thames.
Greenwich is a memorable place to finish. The Cutty Sark stands close to the finish line, while the Festival Area in Greenwich Park gives runners and supporters somewhere to meet afterwards. If you are travelling to London, remember that the start and finish are in different places when deciding where to stay.
History Of The Big Half
First held in 2018, the Big Half is organised by London Marathon Events. It was created to celebrate London’s diverse communities while giving runners a major half marathon through the east and south of the city.
The event also includes the New Balance Big Relay, which divides the half marathon route between a team of four, and the Big Mile. Community groups, schools and musicians support runners along the course, helping the day feel connected to the places it passes through.
When Is The Big Half 2027?
The Big Half 2027 takes place on Sunday 5 September. The half marathon starts next to Tower Bridge and finishes beside the Cutty Sark in Greenwich.
Your start wave and detailed arrival instructions will be confirmed nearer the event. Read the 2027 participant guide when it appears in your event account, particularly if you are travelling across London on race morning.
Big Half Race Packs And Event Facilities
UK participants have previously received their event packs by post, while international participants collected theirs before race day. Check the 2027 arrangements when they are published and make sure the address on your entry is up to date.
The event provides a free bag drop, with bags transported from the start to the finish. Toilets, including accessible toilets, are available at both ends of the course and at several points along the route. The finish area also has a sensory calm space, a parent and child space and a multi faith prayer space.
Race Morning
The start is next to Tower Bridge, but the finish is in Greenwich. Plan both parts of your journey before race day, including how you will travel home. Road closures will affect travel around the route, so check the organiser’s final instructions before setting off.
Leave enough time to reach your start wave, use the toilets and hand in your bag. The opening roads are wide but can still be crowded, so there is little to gain from weaving through runners as soon as you cross the line. If friends or family are coming to watch, agree on a meeting point in Greenwich beforehand.
The Big Half Course
The Big Half follows a point to point route from Tower Bridge to Greenwich. It heads east towards Canary Wharf before returning through Limehouse and Wapping, crossing Tower Bridge and continuing through Rotherhithe and Deptford towards the Cutty Sark.
London Marathon Events describes the course as fast and flat, with 218 feet of elevation gain. That profile makes it attractive to runners chasing a time, but the route is not completely level. Short climbs, turns and narrower sections can interrupt your rhythm if you expect an uninterrupted stretch of flat road.
The Start, Limehouse Tunnel And Canary Wharf
The opening miles take runners away from the Tower Bridge start and towards Canary Wharf. The roads are broad, although the size of the field can make it difficult to settle immediately. Use this section to find space and ease into a pace you can sustain. Limehouse Tunnel is an early feature of the route. It can be tempting to speed up inside, but there is a climb as you come out at around mile two. Another rise follows as you enter the Canary Wharf area near mile three. Neither is a major hill, but both feel harder if you have started too quickly.
Through Canary Wharf And Back To Wapping
Around miles four to six, the route moves through Canary Wharf before turning back towards Limehouse and Wapping. There is good crowd support in places, alongside several turns that make this section feel busier than its largely flat profile suggests. The tall buildings around Canary Wharf can disrupt GPS readings. If your watch suddenly reports an unlikely pace, use the course mile markers and your own effort until the reading settles. The road narrows on the return through Limehouse, and there is a short cobbled section in Wapping where it pays to watch your footing.
Tower Bridge And Rotherhithe
Around the middle of the race, runners approach Tower Bridge from the north. A short incline leads up to the crossing, followed by one of the biggest moments on the course as you run over the bridge. Enjoy the view and the crowds, but try not to let the excitement pull you too far ahead of your planned effort. After the bridge, the route heads through Southwark and Rotherhithe. Some stretches are quieter, while others have plenty of support. This is a useful point to assess how you feel: the early miles are behind you, but there is still a substantial distance to cover before Greenwich.
The Final Miles To The Cutty Sark
The route continues through Deptford towards Greenwich, where the crowds build as the finish gets closer. If you have kept your effort under control, this is a chance to pick up your pace. If the earlier miles have been difficult, the support gives you something to focus on beyond the distance remaining. There is one last short climb over a bridge with roughly 500 metres to go. From there, the road drops towards Greenwich town centre. The Cutty Sark comes into view on the final turn, giving you a clear sight of the finish.
Use the final 2027 course map for exact turns and spectator plans. The organiser’s published mile by mile guidance gives a useful picture of what to expect, while your participant guide will confirm the arrangements for race day.
How Difficult Is The Big Half Course?
Its overall profile is flat, there is support throughout the race and runners have four hours to complete it. If you fall behind the four hour pace, you may need to move onto the pavement for safety, with the event team continuing to support you towards the finish.
The course rewards sensible pacing. The climbs after Limehouse Tunnel, near Canary Wharf and before Tower Bridge are more noticeable if you start too hard. Narrower roads, turns and the cobbles in Wapping also call for some attention when running among a large field.
What Makes The Big Half Special?
Tower Bridge and the Cutty Sark give the race two memorable landmarks, but much of its character comes from the places between them. The route moves through four boroughs, with local supporters, community groups and music helping runners along the way.
The finish feels like a shared occasion. The relay and Big Mile bring more people into the event, while the Festival Area in Greenwich Park gives runners somewhere to celebrate with friends and family after crossing the line.
Is The Big Half A Fast Course?
Yes. The Big Half’s largely flat roads and modest overall elevation make it a good choice for runners chasing a personal best. The organiser provides pacers across a range of target finishing times, with the details confirmed in the participant guide.
A fast result still depends on how you run the course. Give yourself time to settle at the start, avoid chasing unreliable GPS readings around Canary Wharf and save enough for the miles after Tower Bridge. The final short climb will feel more manageable if you reach Greenwich with something left.
Is The Big Half Good For First Time Runners?
The Big Half can be a good first half marathon. It has plenty of support, a four hour completion time and a finish beside a landmark you can picture throughout training. Participants must be at least 17 years old on event day.
It is also a large race with its start and finish in different parts of London, so practical planning matters. Work out how you will reach the start, check the bag drop instructions and arrange where to meet supporters afterwards. Once those details are settled, you can concentrate on the run.
How To Enter The Big Half 2027
Entries for the Big Half 2027 opened in September 2026. Check London Marathon Events’ official entry page for current availability, pricing and the options offered during registration.
Read the conditions before paying. The organiser says entries cannot be transferred to another person and does not offer a standard deferral or refund if you are unable to take part. If general entry is unavailable when you look, check the organiser’s current information for other official options.
Running The Big Half For Charity
You can apply to a participating charity for a Big Half place, or secure your own entry and ask a charity whether you can join its team as an own place runner. London Marathon Events publishes a list of charities with places available.
Ask about the registration fee, fundraising pledge and support before accepting a charity place, as these arrangements vary. If you already have an entry, contact the cause you want to support and find out how to fundraise with its team.
Our Verdict
The Big Half combines a fast course with a route that feels rooted in London’s communities. Crossing Tower Bridge is a highlight, while the run into Greenwich and the finish by the Cutty Sark give the closing miles a strong sense of occasion.
It suits runners looking for a first half marathon, a personal best attempt or a charity challenge. The route has enough changes in scenery and atmosphere to stay interesting, and a controlled start will leave you better placed to enjoy its best moments.
Comments