💼 What should I pack?
It goes without saying that packing your running shoes, clothing and any nutrition you'll be taking is an essential step for your preparation! If you're travelling on the day, staying overnight or longer, you may need more items, but here's a few helpful options for race day itself.
Your running kit (worn, as there are minimal opportunities to change), race-day shoes and safety pins for your bib number.
Any gels, chews or other sports nutrition that you've previously used
(remember, nothing new on race day!). Gels can often fall out so take a spare one just in case!Chafing cream is always good to have on hand for some last minute protection!
A snack and some water during your morning travel to the start line.
A jumper and/or bin bag to stay warm. Old clothes discarded at the start are collected and donated to charity too! Make sure any old jogging bottoms are easy to remove over your shoes, if you choose to wear these.
Your drop bag with anything you'll need for after the event. A spare warm top, spare socks/blister plasters for after, recovery snack (such as a protein flapjack) and typically avoiding leaving valuables in this bag is a sensible idea.
Your phone, watch, headphones and Runna! Make sure you download any power-playlists ahead of time, charge everything the night before and be sure you've tested your race day tracking!
The toilets can get quite busy beforehand; just to be on the safe side, it might be best to bring some spare toilet roll!
🤔 Should I run the day before?
Sometimes, tapering or a few days away from running can leave your legs feeling like they've 'forgotten how to run'! Some runners swear by a very short, very easy run the day before a race—perhaps even just a mile or 1 km—to reassure themselves that they can still put one foot in front of the other - which is absolutely fine. If in doubt, stick to your plan or reach out for some advice in the last week or two of your training. We'll have our Runna Shakeout Run a few days before on Thursday, May 16th, so please keep an eye out for more details on our socials and our website here, it would be great to see you there!
🥪 What should I eat the day before the race?
Your main goals with your food intake in the days before the race should be carbohydrate-heavy to top up your glycogen stores in your muscles. You should aim for ½ of your meal to be made up of carbohydrates and try to replace snacks with other carb based options. Make sure you're hydrating well with water and perhaps electrolyte drinks and sticking to simple foods you enjoy, and probably nothing too spicy! Pasta, rice, potatoes and other easily digestible carbs are perfect choices! You may find your appetite reduces a little towards the end of your taper, with the reduction in your running volume, so don't eat to discomfort, but be sure to fuel well!
For further nutrition advice please read our Ultimate Running Nutrition Guide!
💪 Final preparations?
If not already considered, please also add a mobility session after the shakeout. This will help with some final stretches and give you an opportunity to relax before the sound of the start gun going off. Once stretched, fuelled, and prepared for race day, try to get an early night! Sleeping can be difficult the day before a big race, but do your best to ensure you're well-rested and raring to go!
🤳 Should I share my charity again?
For those of you running for a charity, firstly congratulations! Hackney Half generates a huge benefit for every charity, so well done on your amazing work! Be sure to soak in the support and well-wishes from the crowd as well as your friends and family in the lead up and on the day, you've earned it!
You may want to share a few last training updates, a few pictures, and reshare your charity donation page in the last few days, so reach out to your charity for more advice on the best way to do so too!
A picture with your medal at the finish is also a great way for some bonus donations, and you may just inspire someone else to tackle their first event too!
🎽 Where should I get my number?
If you did not pay for race pack postage when registering, you will need to collect your race pack from the collection point in the Festival Village on the Saturday prior to the event - this will be found on Hackney Marshes, E9 5PF. Details about collection times will be shared in closer to race day on the Hackney Half Marathon Website here. Collection will not be possible on event morning (Sunday 19th).
🚋 How do I get to the start line / Hackney Festival Village?
The Hackney Festival village will be pitched up on Hackney Marshes, E9 5PF. The Sunday morning pre race buzz makes for a busy commute! We'd urge you to plan your journey well in advance due to the closure of all roads around the Half Marathon route at 06:30. You can reach the festival village from Clapton Station with a 30-minute walk, Hackney Wick and Homerton Stations in 20 minutes, Stratford Station in 25 minutes, and Leyton Station also in 20 minutes. There will also be numerous bike parking facilities within the Festival Village but don’t forget to bring an appropriate cable or chain lock!
🗺 Where will I be running?
The route starts and finishes in Hackney Marshes and winds through several areas of North East London including Hackney Downs, Dalston, and Victoria Park. For more information regarding the route, including first aid stations, water stations and more please check the official route map here!
🏃 How should I pace myself on race day?
Pacing can be tricky! With the party atmosphere of Hackney it can be easy to go off too hard so please be careful! Be sure to iron out any final details for how you're going to use Runna (whether on your phone or with another device), if you plan to use Audio Cues and much more!
Download any playlists in advance, if you plan to listen to music or a podcast, and be aware that, with such a large number of runners around you, you may have some issues with Bluetooth signals clashing with other devices! If you're using headphones, make sure these are suitable for running safely and consider leaving any music off for the first few miles/kilometres as things can be quite crowded on the roads! Equally, with such amazing crowds and support from fellow runners, you may want to soak it all in on your big Hackney Half race day, perhaps saving a few power ballads or pump-up jams for those tough latter stages around the Marshes!
Here are a few more tips on race pacing for you too!
👋 How do I meet up with friends and family after?
One of the trickiest things on race day is meeting up with any friends or family who have come with you or are supporting you on the day! Leave any spectate spots planned for them, focusing on your run, and let them tell you where you might see them on the night before! After being presented with your medal, a goodie bag with a bottle of water and a snack (and a t-shirt if you've chosen one), you'll find yourself on Hackney Marshes!
With the tall buildings, huge numbers of people all recording their run and sending congratulatory messages and more, it's not uncommon to have problems with both your phone signal and GPS location finding/sharing. Helpfully you'll find a selection of large numbers on the Marsh. Choose one in advance, maybe your house number or another memorable number, to meet up with your friends more easily!
🛰️ How should I navigate GPS issues on the day?
By now you've certainly got plenty of experience recording your runs using Runna! We'd advise using the same method as you've been training with. With the tall buildings in London, as well as the sheer volume of your fellow runners with their devices too, you'll perhaps find clashes and issues with your GPS. You may also find that your completed run may be a little delayed uploading to Runna, as well as GPS hiccups or more, so be sure to save your activity and try refreshing your app with a good Wi-Fi connection or strong signal a little later!
Reach out to our Customer Experience team if you have further issues, with a dedicated inbox for us to help our Hackney Half Runnas!
Check out more tips on how to troubleshoot common GPS issues here too!
🎉 Visit the Runna Booth at Hackney Half!
Make sure to stop by the Runna booth, located at Pitch 6, Hackney Marshes Centre, Homerton Road, E9 5PF. Our booth will be buzzing with activities from 09:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, 18th May, and all day Sunday during and after the race! Here’s what you can look forward to:
Expert Coaching: Have any last-minute questions about your race strategy or need some tips on your running form? Ask away and get invaluable advice from Runna’s amazing coaching team.
Post-Race Recovery: After you cross the finish line, come and recover with us. We’ll help you cool down properly and start your recovery process right!
Race Photos: Don’t forget to get your race picture taken at our booth!
Exclusive Merch: Grab some of our brand new Runna race kit and apparel available exclusively at our booth!
Whether you’re looking to gain some expert knowledge, recover after your run, or simply celebrate with us, the Runna booth is your go-to spot at the Hackney Half. See you there!
🔜 What's next after the race?
You've done it, 13.1 miles, 21.1 km completed and what a journey! Enjoy, celebrate, be sure to recover and remember the day fondly! 🏅
Hydrating, having a snack and loosening your shoelaces are all super helpful in the immediate aftermath of your race. Pop on that warm top you packed, make sure everyone can see your medal (you've earned it!) and have a little gentle stretch. Following the typical recovery from the long runs you've completed in training might not be as easy as normal, but be sure to take care of yourself!
Good luck with your 2024 Hackney Half!
Most Importantly HAVE FUN! If you’re not smiling, you’re doing it wrong!
Check out the video below for some more of our Coaches' top tips for race day!