I’m not sure about GPS tours. Is there an option to have a guide?

A half marathon is a very long distance to run in a guided group. We were concerned that offering guided tours would lead to disparate paces within groups, and while this is something that we may explore in future years, this time we decided to keep it simple and stick with the GPS option. The technology is excellent, and the narration is akin to having a guide, with narration all the way round. And if you are really desperate to share your experience with others, you are welcome to run the half marathon in a group, as long as you have all purchased your own access.

You can complete the half marathon at a time of your choosing, between 23rd November 2026 and 4th January 2027. Although the time of day that you complete it on is completely up to you, some lights are only switched on from 3-4pm when it is dark outside. We would also strongly advise avoiding the first two Saturdays in December if you can, as the route gets extremely busy on these days.

Can I run with friends?

You absolutely can! You will however need to make sure that you have all purchased your own individual access to the tour using VoiceMap, so you can all use the technology.

Can one of us buy entry and then lead a larger group?

Although there is nothing stopping you, we would ask that you please do not do this. You will also not have a very positive experience if you attempt to lead the tour in this way. It will be very difficult to manage as your ‘guide’ will need to be plugged into the audio continually while delivering the tour. We are also a small family run business and have spent a considerable amount of time and money on creating this tour from scratch this year. We are reliant on proceeds from the half marathon to ensure that we are able to fund future Secret London Runs tours and experiences.

Can I walk or cycle the route?

You can certainly walk the route, although it will take quite a long time! You may not cycle the route though - it is designed to be done on foot and it is not safe to be plugged into our audio while cycling. The audio tour will also not work properly if you are cycling as you may travel too quickly and cause overlap with the audio - it is designed to be done on foot and it is not safe to be plugged into our audio while cycling. The audio tour will also not work properly if you are cycling as you may travel too quickly and cause overlap with the audio.

Christmas Lights Half Marathon 2026

From Secret London Runs

Monday 23rd November 2026 – Monday 4th January 2027

London

£21.00 · 1 race

Half Marathon

Event summary

Get ready to jingle all the way at the Christmas Lights Half Marathon 2026, hosted by Secret London Runs! This festive running extravaganza takes place from Monday, November 23, 2026, to Monday, January 4, 2027, in the heart of London, Greater London. Participants will embark on a magical journey through 13.1 miles of stunning Christmas lights, all while enjoying a self-guided, GPS audio tour that enhances the holiday experience.

This year's route is more festive than ever, allowing you to soak in the sights as you run through some of London’s most iconic holiday displays. With audio directions triggered by your GPS location, you'll be inspired and informed throughout your run, making it a delightful experience for runners of all paces. Plus, upon completion, you have the option to receive a festive bauble or medal to commemorate your achievement. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to blend fitness with holiday cheer in one of the world's most beautiful cities!

Races

Christmas Lights Half Marathon

Monday 23rd Nov 2026

£21.00

0

A £2.00 service charge is added per booking

Organiser's description

Christmas Lights Half Marathon 2026
Run a half marathon through London's Christmas lights on our new self-guided, GPS audio tour.

Our festive half marathon is back for 2026! See more of London's festive lights and sights than ever before on our most festive route yet, guided along the way by audio directions triggered by your GPS location.

As you jingle through 13.1 miles of yuletide joy on a specially curated route, you'll discover more about the world's most iconic lights through an audio guide that keeps you going along the way. Optional festive bauble/medal on completion.

So that we can hit more lights in one go, whilst also accommodating varying paces over a half marathon distance, we're embracing GPS audio technology to provide a half marathon running tour.

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Location

Liverpool Street Station, London, UK

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Christmas Lights Half Marathon 2026

23rd Nov 2026 – 4th Jan 2027

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Christmas Lights Half Marathon 2026

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