A HALF MARATHON FOR FIRST TIMERS

1st May 2027 - Newbury

Run your first ever half marathon surrounded by people doing the exact same thing. 

Join an incredibly supportive community to train for your first time and do it together. 

Avoid the crowds of runners, the pressure and do it at your own pace. Take on this unique event.

INFORMATION

01 WHAT IS IT?

02 DETAIL

03 WHAT YOU GET?

01 WHAT IS IT?

You'll be running a leg of North v South which is a 47 leg relay race from Edinburgh to Cardiff to London. 

This leg is specially dedicated to people running their first ever half marathon. Getting to the finish line is the goal along with everyone around you.

Friends and family who have run a half marathon before can enter and can run with you to the finish line as well.

The route is downhill the whole way and has been designed for runners starting out. 

Swipe for more detail!

02 DETAIL

Date: Saturday 1st May 2026

Start Time: 4:30PM

Start: Great Bedwyn

End: Newbury

Both the start and end points are accessible by train from London.

We can transport all your belongings and bags securely from the start to end point.

See below for the exact route.

The Route

03 WHAT YOU GET?

Race Top

Race Medal

6 month training plan and support

Goods from our partners

An incredible community of people all trying to achieve the same thing in the most supportive atmosphere!

The Route

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Sign up to run one of the legs or as a group to run together.

FIRST TIMER ENTRY

Start your first half marathon journey now!

SIGN UP

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the whole race and FAQs see below.

Learn more

FAQs

The choice for which team you compete for is all yours! Some of the reasons people have picked North or South before:

  • Where they are from

  • Whether they associate with being northern or southern

  • Where they live now

  • Who their friends are running for

You can have any reason you want, just pick a team and get involved!

Yes you can if you are supporting a friend who is running their first half marathon. 

Or if you want to run to support all the first timers get to the finish line. 

If you want to run to go for a new PB and running challenge for yourself then this isn't the entry for you but we have plenty more amazing options!

You are able to fundraise for any charity you want to. All fundraising will be allocated to Team North or Team South totals. On the last day of the race the teams position will move in relation to the fundraising totals of the two teams. 

Making fundraising matter more.

North v South has two partner charities for the event - all supporting mental health:

  • Maggie's

  • Two Pints Deep

  • If you are not raising for your own charity we encourage you to share our group pages for the above.

Absolutely, we are looking for a number of volunteers to assist with driving and logistics. Please get in touch if you would like to volunteer!

Yes you can leave your bag with us and we'll take it to the end of your run!

The entry fee covers the cost of organising the event. This includes:

  • Car and Van Hire

  • Fuel

  • Running equipment

  • Support items

  • Race Top

  • Race Medal