Taking up a challenge is rarely a walk in the park. However, it might be a run in the park if you’re participating in the Royal Parks Foundation Half Marathon! This fantastic event is taking place on the 9th of October 2011, starting and ending in the beautiful Hyde Park, London.

About the Run

This half marathon, which is now in its fourth year, has gained a bit of a reputation for being the most beautiful city runs in the world. Taking part in this half marathon will mean embarking upon a run through four of London’s stunning Royal Parks, including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Green Park and St. James’s Park. What makes this run even more special is that it offers runners magnificent views of some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks, including Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, Marble Arch and the Royal Albert Hall. Worth running for? We think so!

A few fun facts about the Royal Parks:

The Royal Parks are visited by over 37 million people every year and cover 5,000 acres of London.

The Parks are home to over 130,000 trees made up of over 250 different species – they play a huge part in the health of Londoner’s by reflecting UV light, absorbing carbon and filtering the air.

When Oscar Wilde was arrested in 1895 he was first held in the Old Police House in Hyde Park. His old cell is now a lavatory!

In the 16th century, The Green Park was popular with duellists and many a gentleman died on the turf where office workers now enjoy their lunchtime breaks.

How to get involved

If you’re interested in taking part and raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity click here to register. We’ll support you with a whole range of goodies, including a welcome fundraising pack, a complimentary running vest and access to professional training plans and cheering posts along the route. For spectators, there are a whole host of activities to keep family and friends busy whilst they wait to cheer you home. Visit the website for more details!

In the meantime, have a peek at the photos from last year here!