Urban Rush - London

Technical running top

Sports massage

Finishers medal

Free bag transfer

Chipped time results

Free race photos

Training plan

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, Greater London E20

The Park has some of the best transport links in London:

• Nine tube and train links (Served by the 24 hour night tube on the Central and Jubilee lines)
• Numerous bus and coach routes
• Less than 40 minutes to all of London’s major railway stations
• Seven minutes to St Pancras International
• 30 minutes to the M25
• Less than an hour to all London international airports from Stratford station

Public transport is the best and easiest way to get to and from the Park – by train, underground, bus or bicycle. The nearest train, tube and bus stops are at Stratford, Stratford International, Hackney Wick, Pudding Mill and Leyton stations.

If you are exiting out of Stratford Underground Station - take the escalator or lift up to ‘The Street’ – follow it along, and turn left at Fountain Square towards the restaurants. Head to the road, then cross into the Park.

By car: Leave the M25 at Junction 27, onto the M11. Take Junction 4 off the M11 onto the A12. Follow the A12 to your destination.

Muti storey parking is available. Charges will apply.

What support can I expect?

Once you register, we'll be in touch regularly with training advice, fundraising support and information about how your fundraising helps us support families facing homelessness. And on the day itself, you'll get a race t-shirt, finisher’s medal, a post-race reception with free sports massage, and plenty of encouragement from Shelter volunteers cheering you on along the way!

How long does it take, and do I have to run?

Yes, it’s a run – but the event is open to people of all abilities. How long it takes depends on your level of fitness and approach. We expect a range of times, between 1 hour 45mins and 3 hours 30mins.

How do I train for Urban Rush?

Think half-marathon – plus a wee bit more! Take a look at our training page for hints, tips and full training programmes.

What time does it start?

The event starts at 9am, registration will be open from 8am. Please note this is subject to change and final timings will be confirmed one month before the event.

Are there drink stations during the event?

Yes. There are several drink stations, and we ensure there are plenty of fluids available for runners at the finish.

What facilities are there for changing and storage?

Changing facilities are limited, so if possible, arrive in your running gear. We will transport all your equipment and bags to the finish line in Putney.

Are the roads closed?

As a unique cross-city urban run, the roads will not be closed, but the course will be extremely well marshalled. Both traffic and pedestrian management programmes will be in place.

Will I get lost?

No – the route is fully marked, and there will be marshals on hand throughout.

Can I wear headphones while taking part?

We strongly discourage the use of headphones while taking part in the event. As this is not a closed road event there will be other road users along the route and runners need to be mindful of this and remain alert at all times. We cannot be responsible for accidents which occur where the runner is wearing headphones.

How do I collect my t-shirt and running number?

T-shirts and running numbers will be available to pick up at registration on the day of the event.

Do you need volunteers?

If you prefer cheering to running, then get involved as a volunteer! Shelter are looking for enthusiastic people to volunteer at various points along the route at Urban Rush. For more information, please email [email protected].

What happens if I need to pull out before the event?

If you have a health issue or an injury that prevents you from running, or could make it dangerous for you to take part, we'd ask you not to sign up for Urban Rush. If you develop an injury or health issue after signing up, please contact us immediately on 0344 515 1190 or [email protected].

What happens if I need to pull out during the event?

If you feel unwell during the event, please do not continue. There will be marshals and first aid personnel at designated points to assist anyone who needs to stop.

How do teams work?

Teams are made up of four runners, and their total time is recorded as the team's time. That means it's vital that all team runners finish.

Can I replace team members after registration is complete?

Yes – but you must let us know in advance, as we need to have all runners registered. The deadline for making changes to your team is Monday 23 September 2019. Please confirm any changes by calling us on 0344 515 1190, or [email protected].

When do I pay the registration fee?

The registration fee is paid upfront when you sign up for Urban Rush. Please note, this fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

How do I know my place is confirmed?

When you enter online you'll receive an automated email from our booking system confirming your entry. You will receive email updates add race day information from Shelter as race day approaches.

When do entries close?

Entries will close approximately 3 weeks before the event or when the event is full.

How does the referral system work?

If you refer a friend for Urban Rush you'll both receive £10 off your registration fees.

In order to receive the rebate, you must both take part in the event and have hit the minimum sponsorship target of £229 by the deadline.

Please get in touch with [email protected] after the event to be issued the £10 rebate. The deadline to receive the rebate is Friday 22 November 2019.

I want to fundraise online. How do I do this?

It’s really easy – you can set up your fundraising page here.

How do I make the most of my online fundraising?

The sooner you set it up, the better! And personalising your page can make a big difference too. Include images of yourself, and details of why you are taking part. We’ll provide you plenty of information on Shelter’s impact, so you can explain how your fundraising helps provide urgent help for the thousands of families struggling with homelessness and bad housing across the country.

How much money do I have to raise, and when by?

If you are taking part as an individual, we ask for a £229 fundraising commitment (plus registration fee). For a team of four, we ask for £799 sponsorship (plus registration fee).

You can find plenty of advice on how to meet your fundraising commitment on our fundraising tips page.

Not reaching your fundraising commitment impacts on what Shelter can achieve, so please ensure you are confident in reaching this before signing up for Urban Rush. The deadline for sending in your sponsorship money is six weeks after the event.

I have cash and cheque donations – how do I send these in?

Cash donations should be paid into your own account, then you can make the equivalent donation to your online fundraising page – or write a cheque and send it to us.

All cheques should be made payable to 'Shelter’, and sent to:

Shelter (Urban Rush), 88 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HU.

If you’re sending a cheque to us, please include a note stating your full name, address, and a reference to Urban Rush.

You can find full guidance on paying in your donations here.

My employer offers match giving. How do I send this to you?

You'll need to agree this with your employer in advance. After the event, confirm the amount you've raised with them and they'll organise for the money to be sent to Shelter. Make sure they give your full name and a reference to Urban Rush to ensure the money is correctly attributed to you.

You can find full guidance on matched giving here.