Owing to the ongoing COVID situation in the UK in general & with stricter restrictions highly likely in the coming weeks, the Milton Keynes Festival of Running organisers have taken the decision to re-schedule the 2021 races to 5thSeptember when we will be holding races over all of our normal distances, starting & finishing in the same locations. The new date is also perfect timing for those running the re-scheduled Brighton or London marathons.
Race entries for the September date are open, so anyone wishing to enter for this date please do so via the usual means on the website. We are sorry to have to delay our event, but we hope that under the current uncertain circumstances everyone will understand!
The Milton Keynes Half Marathon and Festival of Running takes place on Sunday 5th September 2021 starting at our wonderful Xscape city-centre venue and we hope you will come and join us!
The festival consists of a gentle or super-swift 5k event, our classic 10k distance race, our ever popular half marathon distance race and our 20 miler for those who like to go long.
If you’re running the re-scheduled London Marathon, Brighton Marathon or one of the other big autumn marathon races, the longer races are ideal races for you to add to your preparation programme. The courses are mainly flat, fast and well marshaled to ensure you get any assistance you need.
We also have some wonderful experienced pacers running in the half marathon and the 20 mile event to help you achieve your goals. All you’ve got to do is hang on!
The races start on the central dual-carriageways of Milton Keynes then winds through some beautiful scenery. We hope you will gain plenty of inspiration along the way whatever your race-day goal – fun run, stepping stone to full marathon, personal best time or just to finish!
Milton Keynes is conveniently located just 30 minutes from London by train and just off Junction 14 of the M1, 40 minutes from the M25 and Birmingham. The Xscape centre is just 5 minutes from the motorway and has plenty of parking spaces available.
ALL events will be chip timed and every runner will receive a finisher’s medal.
* This year, we are also offering you the chance to run virtually. Some people may prefer to run virtually this year and we’d like to offer you the chance to take part. Just send us proof of your run post event and we will send you your medal.
Half Marathon | 5K | 10K | 20M | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Start Time | 10:45 am | 10:00 am | 10:10 am | 09:50 |
Entry Fees online entry is subject to a 5% handling fee Club enties |
Early Bird Before 01/10/20 £23 club runners £25 non-club runners Standard £25 club runners £27 non-club runners Virtual - £20 |
Early Bird Before 01/10/20 £9 – 16 & over £6 – Under 16 Standard £12 – 16 & over £8 – Under 16 Virtual – £10 |
Early Bird Before 01/10/20 £16 Standard £19 Virtual – £15 |
Early Bird Before 01/10/20 £27 club runners £29 non-club runners Standard £29 club runners £31 non-club runners Virtual – £20 |
The COVID-19 situation in the UK is ever-changing, however, the event organisers will host the 2021 MK Festival of Running under the COVID-19 rules that exist at the time as laid out by the UK Government. It is likely that races and other live events might well be back to normal by September, but we have flexible planning options in place to allow the race to go ahead if we are allowed to under government rules. Updates on how the 2021 race will look will be posted on this site as the situation becomes clearer but please enter in the knowledge that we will be staging this event in 2021 as an actual in person race rather than a virtual one.
IF THE EVENT IS NOT ALLOWED TO HAPPEN DUE TO COVID, WE WILL REFUND EVERY ENTRY SO ENTER WITH PEACE OF MIND.
5k – First men and first woman only
10k and half marathon: first 3 men and first 3 women across the finish line, fastest man over 40, 50 and 60, fastest women over 35, 45, and 55.
20 mile – First three men and first three women across the line
Certificates will be awarded for the male and female winners in the following age categories -
Men 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 yrs
Women’s 60 / 65 / 70 / 75 / 80 yrs
9:50 am – MK 20 mile
10:00 am – MK 5k run
10:10 am – MK 10k run
10:45 am – MK Half Marathon
A copy of the course maps can be found via the following links
Half Marathon Half Marathon Strava
PACERS
We are delighted to be offering a pacing service for the longer races. In 2019, we had pacers for the following events and times. We will know nearer the 2020 race date what we have secured but will aim for the same:
Half marathon 1.30, 1.40, 1.45, 1.50, 2.00, 2.10, 2.15 & 2.20 pace
20m miler pace at 2.45, 3.00 and 3.15 / 3.20
MK Race tees are available to buy online along with your entry. They are technical tees and come in both a men’s and women’s cut. If you’ve already entered and would like one, please send us an email
A Pace Pocket is a fabric wristband with a storage pocket for your keys/cards/cash and printed pace times for your half marathon. They can be purchased at checkout when you are entering at only £7 and will be posted to you prior to the event. Just select the time option closest to your target time.
Please note that this item is being provided by a third party and your name and address with be sent to them in order to deliver the item
Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club for their assistance in marshalling the event
Milton Keynes Council and the Thames Valley Police for their support.
The Xscape centre – lovely people and a fantastic venue!
All our sponsors and supporters. Thanks for your support.