Blackpool Festival of Running

When you book a place on the Blackpool Festival of Running, you can expect a comprehensive and enjoyable experience from start to finish.

Prior to the event, participants will receive a detailed race emai containing essential information, including the race route, event schedule, and tips for race day preparation.

On the day of the event, you can anticipate a well-organised and welcoming atmosphere.

Runners will be provided with a high-quality race bib, personalised with their name and pre-attached chip timing tag. There will be ample parking and clear signage to guide you to the start line. Participants will have access to baggage storage transport tomthe finish too. Throughout the race, there will be strategically placed aid stations, as well as enthusiastic volunteers offering support and encouragement. After crossing the finish line, runners will receive a commemorative blingtastic medal.

• Blingtastic Bespoke Medals
• Choice of distances over 2 days
• Certified Accurate Routes
• Chip Timing
• Free Photography

Festival 10k - Saturday - 10.30am
Festival 5k - Saturday - 1.00pm
Festival 2k - Saturday - 2.00pm

​Festival Marathon & Half Marathon - Sunday - 9.00am

Pre-Collection
Bib numbers will be available to collect from the events office from Tuesday 21st - Thursday 23rd.
Levens House • Clifton Road • Blackpool • FY4 4QA
What3Words: ///foster.honey.jumps
We are open 10am-4pm - DO NOT COME TO THE OFFICE ON SATURDAY & SUNDAY AS WE'RE NOT THERE!

Event weekend collection from RACE HQ

SATURDAY COLLECTION FROM 9.00am - 2.00pm

SUNDAY COLLECTION FROM 7.00am - 8.45am

​When you have your bib number, there is a contact/medical form on the back which needs to be completed before you start. When you're ready it needs to be pinned to the FRONT of your running top, with the silver timing tag visible. Don't bend, remove, break or stick any pins through your tag as it won't work!

RACE HEADQUARTERS (SATURDAY & SUNDAY)
The race headquarters is located on the Middle Walkway on North Promenade. This is north of Blackpool North Pier opposite the Grand and Imperial Hotels. Look over the first sea wall and you will see the HQ area. The nearest postcode is FY1 1SA. What3Words: ///stuck.owner.closet

CAR PARKING
Blackpool is full of car parks, and there is also on-street parking available north of North Pier. Please make sure you park legally; the wardens are everywhere in Blackpool and start work early!

BAGGAGE
We have an un-manned baggage storage area for small bags, jackets etc. This is located next to the main registration area. Do not leave any valuables in the baggage area. We also have a key storage locker at Event Support Trailer, which will be located next to the start/finish area. Hand your keys to a FCR crew member at the trailer to be secured until you have finished the run. ​

TOILETS
Portable toilets are available at the event, located near to the start/finish area. Make sure you don’t leave it until the last minute to use them, they will become very busy just before the start. There are toilets on the course, which are the ‘Danfo Superloos’. These require 40p to operate. We suggest taping a couple of coins to the back of your bib number just in case you may need to use the loos on the course.

MEDICAL SUPPORT
The team from Remote Medical Services will be on the course and at the finish. We hope you don’t need them, but are there if you do. Make sure you complete the medical information on the back of your bib number if you have any medical conditions, allergies or specific medical information that may be important.

• The event venue facilities are open from 9.00am Saturday and 7.30am on Sunday. They will be open throughout each day until everyone has finished. Remember, we don't have time limits (7hr Marathon) so there is no need to worry about anything closing down! Just concentrate on enjoying your run.

There are TWO starting lanes. Marathon runners line up facing South looking towards Blackpool Tower. Half Marathon runners line up facing North with their backs to Blackpool Tower. You must ensure you are in the correct lane, this is your responsibility.

​Marathon & Half Marathon Split Point - Just after the 13 Mile point in the marathon, the two events split. You need to be in the correct coned lane (marathon to the left for lap 2, and half marathon and finish to the right). It will all be clearly signed and marshalled, but please be aware it is ultimately up to you to go the correct way.

BLACKPOOL FESTIVAL 2K
Saturday 25th April 2026 • starting at 2.00pm
The 2k event is open for all runners over the age of 4 on the day. Everyone is welcome, young and old, fast and slow. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the Blackpool Festival weekend.

BLACKPOOL FESTIVAL 5K
Saturday 25th April 2026 • starting at 1.00pm
The 5k event is open for all runners over the age of 11 on the day. Everyone is welcome, young and old, fast and slow. This is a great opportunity to get involved in the Blackpool Festival weekend.
MINIMUM AGE FOR COMPETITION IS 11 AND OVER ON DAY OF RACE.

BLACKPOOL FESTIVAL 10K
Saturday 25th April 2026 • starting at 10.30am
The 10k is a one lap course and is very flat for the PB chaser's out there. Race facilities include bottled water stations, toilets located at regular intervals, chip timing, full race commentary, full medical support and an amazing finishers medal. The route is completely traffic free on the promenade walkways all along the seafront.
MINIMUM AGE FOR COMPETITION IS 15 AND OVER ON DAY OF RACE.

BLACKPOOL FESTIVAL HALF MARATHON
Sunday 26th April 2026 • starting at 9.00am
The half marathon is a one lap course and is very flat for the PB chaser's out there. Race facilities include bottled water stations approximately every 3 miles, toilets located at regular intervals, chip timing, full race commentary, full medical support and an amazing finishers medal. The route is completely traffic free and combines both the main roadway promenade and the promenade walkways all along the seafront.
MINIMUM AGE FOR COMPETITION IS 17 AND OVER ON DAY OF RACE.

BLACKPOOL FESTIVAL MARATHON
Sunday 26th April 2026 • starting at 9.00am
The marathon is a two lap course and is very flat for the PB chaser's out there. Race facilities include bottled water stations approximately every 3 miles, toilets located at regular intervals, chip timing, full race commentary, full medical support and an amazing finishers medal. The route is completely traffic free and combines both the main roadway promenade and the promenade walkways all along the seafront.
MINIMUM AGE FOR COMPETITION IS 18 AND OVER ON DAY OF RACE.
​A time limit of 7 hours is enforced on the marathon due to restrictions on the road closure order.

HEADPHONE USE
Headphones are allowed at the Blackpool Festival of Running, but we ask that you use them with care and consideration. Please keep the volume low so you can hear instructions from marshals, announcements, and be aware of other runners around you. The marathon is a two-lap course, which means faster runners may be passing you at various points—staying alert helps keep the event safe and enjoyable for everyone.

HUMANS ONLY, PLEASE!
The Blackpool Festival of Running is all about inclusivity and community but the course is for humans only! For everyone’s safety, no animals are allowed to take part in the event. That said, your furry friends are more than welcome to cheer you on from the sidelines, as long as they’re on a lead and supervised by an adult.

• THE 10k, 5k and 2k EVENTS CAN BE COMPLETED ON THE SATURDAY IF YOU WISH AS THEY ALL HAVE DIFFERENT START TIMES.
• The marathon and half marathon are marked out with mile markers. The 10k and 5k are marked out with KM markers.