Stars Shine at 2024 Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon

Stars from the world of entertainment and sports gathered at the iconic Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon in East London, with over 20,000 runners participating in the event.

Among the notable figures taking part were Jonathan Bailey of Bridgerton and Wicked fame, running for the LGBT+ young people’s charity Just Like Us, where he serves as Patron. Running sensation Anya Culling and TV physician Dr Alex George also joined in, along with former England rugby player turned DJ, James Haskell, and local musician Paigey Cakey.

The Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon was the highlight of the Hackney Moves festival, which saw over 50,000 visitors at Hackney Marshes. With three stages hosting exercise groups and live entertainment, the festival celebrated the spirit of East London.

The half marathon route covered 13.1 miles, starting from Hackney Marshes and passing through landmarks like the Hackney Empire, Stonebridge Gardens, Regents Canal, and Victoria Park, before finishing at Hackney Wick.

The race saw impressive performances from the participants, with Yvie Lock of Thames Valley Harriers emerging as the women’s winner, and Fredrick Hessian and Jonathan Escalante-Phillips crossing the line hand in hand as joint male winners.

Participants raised over £2 million for various charities, including Alzheimer's Society, The Felix Project, Barts Charity, Hackney Night Shelter, and St Joseph’s Hospice Hackney, contributing to worthy causes and community initiatives.

Hackney Moves also featured the Community 5k and the Schools’ Challenge, engaging children from across East London in a day of fitness and fun. The festival’s Main Stage, House of Fitness, and House of Ministry offered a range of activities, from DJ sets to meditation sessions, creating a vibrant post-race celebration.

The success of the Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon solidified its place as one of the UK’s favorite races, with event organizers, Motiv Sports, set to host more events in London, including the Saucony London 10k, London Duathlon, and the Blenheim Palace Triathlon later this year.

To stay updated on future events and ensure a spot at the 2025 Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon, visit the Hackney Moves website.