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half marathon

Royal Parks Half Marathon 2026 Success

 780 400 Susie
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There were smiles, cheers and celebrations aplenty on Sunday as 70 runners took on the Royal Parks Half Marathon as part of Team Smile, making it Spread a Smile’s largest team of runners to date.

Thanks to the incredible determination and generosity of our runners and supporters, Team Smile has already raised more than £64,000 to help Spread a Smile continue bringing joy, laughter and moments of connection to seriously ill children, young people and their families across the country

This year’s team brought together an inspiring community of supporters, including our amazing corporate partners BC Partners, Corinthia London, KKR, Mildreds and Uncommon, alongside dedicated individual fundraisers and parents from families supported by Spread a Smile.

The stunning 13.1-mile route through London’s Royal Parks provided a beautiful backdrop for a day filled with determination, teamwork and fundraising success. From experienced runners to those taking on their first half marathon challenge, every member of Team Smile crossed the finish line knowing they had made a meaningful difference to children and young people facing serious illness.

This year, a team from Mildreds Restaurants ran in memory of Ari, daughter of Managing Director Sam Anstey with Sam saying, “Spread a Smile was incredibly special to Ari and to our whole family. During some of the hardest times of her illness, they brought moments of happiness, laughter and normality when we needed them most. I am running the Royal Parks Half Marathon with close friends and some of the Mildreds team in memory of our special Ari and to raise money so Spread a Smile can continue doing the same for other children and families. Ari was our light, and it means so much to us to be doing this in her memory.”

The charity would like to say a huge thank you to every member of Team Smile for their months of training, fundraising and dedication. We would also like to thank the fantastic supporters who joined us on the day to cheer runners on around the course, creating an incredible atmosphere and providing much-needed encouragement from start to finish.

Spread a Smile Director of Fundraising, Tessa Kelly said: “What an incredible day for Team Smile. To welcome our biggest-ever team of 70 runners and raise such an incredible amount is a fantastic achievement. We are so grateful to everyone who chose to take on this challenge for Spread a Smile and all those who came along to cheer, making it such a special and impactful day.”

Congratulations and thank you to everyone who took part. You should be immensely proud of this wonderful achievement.

Join Team Smile for the 2027 Royal Parks Half Marathon.

Register your interest!

Hackney Half Marathon 2026

 1024 768 Hannah Myers
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On Sunday 17 May, 30 incredible #TeamSmile runners took on the HOKA Hackney Moves Half Marathon 2026, raising over £19,000 to help Spread a Smile continue bringing joy and laughter to seriously ill children and their families across the country.
Team Smile was the largest to date, with individual runners joining teams from some of our corporate partners – Clarksons, Corinthia London and BC Partners –  to take on this iconic challenge in support of Spread a Smile’s vital work.
Chris Perrin, Spread a Smile Public Fundraising Manager, said, “This year Team Smile Hackney Half, raised more than ever before through their fundraising at this brilliant event – an incredible amount which could help fund over 600 bedside entertainer visits to seriously ill children and young people in hospital. A huge thank you to each and every one of our runners for their passion, commitment, determination and for helping us spread smiles where they’re needed most.”

The atmosphere throughout the day was incredible, with the Spread a Smile cheering team (including our very own Chief Executive, Lucy Jackson), joining in the fun and helping to keep our runners motivated at our Mile 6 dedicated cheer point. The celebrations continued at a post-race meet and greet at Hackney Marshes.

Our friends from Clarksons shared their motivation for supporting Spread a Smile and taking part in the challenge, saying: “Clarksons is a truly diverse organisation, with our demographics stretching across all ages, ethnicities and social backgrounds. However, one thing remains the same across all of these, we all have children in our lives which we care very deeply for – whether it be our sons, daughters, cousins, nieces, or nephews – and we at Clarksons all wish for nothing but the best for the young people in our lives.

“With that in mind, it is important to remember those not as fortunate as our loved ones, children who do not have the same opportunities to thrive and enjoy their younger years that others are afforded. This is why we chose to support Spread a Smile, a charity that aligns with our values here at Clarksons and allows us to help children who deserve the world given their truly unfortunate circumstances.

“Through our fundraising, we have been able to reflect on ourselves and the fortunate positions we, and the children in our lives, may find ourselves in. We hope our efforts in fundraising for this wonderful charity bring joy and happiness to those who most deserve it – and provide much needed relief to children and parents alike, even if just for a day. It really is a pleasure to be able to partner with yourselves and represent Spread a Smile in the Hackney Half 2026.”

Join #TeamSmile today

Feeling inspired? Sign up to join Team Smile for the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Sunday 11 October 2026 here and take on your own challenge in support of Spread a Smile.

Royal parks half marathon 2025 spread a smile

Team Smile takes the Royal Parks Half Marathon

 780 400 Gabrielle Devine
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Looking for the 2026 Royal Parks Half Marathon? Click here for our 2026 Charity Places and Ballot Info.

Missed out on the ballot? You can still be on that start line. Skip the uncertainty of the public draw and take a guaranteed charity entry with Spread a Smile. Enjoy vibrant crowds, an incredible atmosphere, and some of the city’s most famous landmarks. Its scenic, predominantly flat course makes it a fantastic choice for both first-time runners and experienced half-marathoners alike. By joining Team Smile, you’ll help raise vital funds to support our work bringing joy to seriously ill children in NHS hospitals across the country.

Read more below about our previous Royal Parks Half Marathon runners for Spread a Smile and get inspired today

On Sunday 12 October, 50 incredible runners proudly represented Spread a Smile at the Royal Parks Half Marathon – one of the UK’s most-loved running events.

Our amazing #TeamSmile runners took on the 13.1-mile route through four of London’s Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens, with every step raising funds to support our work spreading smiles to seriously ill children and their families.

Spread a Smile Co-Founder Vanessa Crocker, Chief Executive Officer Lucy Jackson, and members of the team were there on the day to cheer, support, and celebrate each runner’s achievement.

Tasha Mann, Spread a Smile Community Fundraising Manager, said

“To each and every person who ran for Team Smile – thank you. It was incredible to see such a brilliant group come together to raise vital funds for our work. We know how much goes into preparing for an event like this, the training, the fundraising, and the determination it takes on the day itself – and we hope you’re proud of everything you’ve achieved. You’ve helped us bring so much joy to seriously ill children and their families.”

We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who trained, fundraised, and ran as part of Team Smile. Your support means a great deal and helps us reach even more children facing difficult times, and we hope you join us again for another challenge event in the future.

Feeling inspired?
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