Putting London's communities at heart of The Big Half - the UK's most diverse half marathon

Now in its eighth year, The Big Half, which takes place on Sunday 7 September, is both a celebration of running and the communities of London, particularly those in the host boroughs of Tower Hamlets, Lewisham, Southwark and Greenwich.  

More than 280 local community groups based in the four host boroughs will take part, bringing the community spirit to life. To support participation for all, The Big Half offers discounted entry fees of £25 (compared to the standard £56), helping to remove barriers and encourage wider access to running. 

Among those taking part or acting as cheer squads this year are Sole Striders, a female-only community and run club, and The Coopah Refugee Run Club, which supports refugees and asylum seekers in their local community, and whose team members have helped design the finisher T-shirt and medal.  

Below is more information on some of the community groups taking part this year: 

The Coopah Refugee Run Club partners with charities to help refugees settle into life in the UK through local run clubs, personalised coaching, community support, and lifelong access to the Coopah training app.  

Among its alumni are Rawand, 28, who moved to the UK from Kurdistan during the Covid-19 pandemic, and Paul, 41, who came to the UK from Zambia in 2022. Coopah’s Refugee Run Club has supported both refugees to settle into life in the UK, helping them find supportive local communities. 

“Coopah’s run club has kept me afloat during really difficult times,” reflected Paul, who is awaiting a final decision on his residency from the Home Office, three years after coming to the UK. “So many of the experiences I’ve had are thanks to them. I’ve met so many people, been to new places, and found a community. Running will be part of my life for as long as my legs let me – hopefully a long, long time.” 

Rawand, who is working for the NHS after studying nursing, has combined his passions for art and running to help create this year’s long-sleeved finisher T-shirt and medal, alongside Paul and other members of Coopah’s Refugee Run Club. 

The design on both finisher items features circular rings to signify the different walks of life that come together to take part in The Big Half, symbolising the feeling of solidarity and togetherness – running towards the Finish Line next to the Cutty Sark, itself a representation of feeling at home in London. The confetti, sprinkled on the medal, is a celebration of the event and the movement and motion experienced. 

Paul said of the process: “We wanted to show how the landmarks connect to our lives, and that no matter what you’re going through, difficult times always come to an end.” 

“I love the running culture in the UK,” said Rawand. “People you run with become close friends and you’re all supporting each other. Taking part in events is not just about getting a medal – it's the feeling of people cheering you on, so we wanted to show how you feel that support and how joyful it makes you. We also wanted to include some London landmarks like the Cutty Sark. It feels big when you run past certain places and it affects you emotionally.” 

Female-only collective Sole Striders will bring its largest-ever group – 40 women from across London – to take part in The Big Half 2025. Founded in 2024 by friends Najma and Mona, the group provides a safe, supportive space for women of all backgrounds and abilities to get active.  

Najma, Sole Striders co-founder, said: “The original ambition was simple: a weekly run that felt welcoming, consistent, and community led. We wanted to empower women to embrace movement, build confidence, and foster meaningful connections. It’s been incredible to watch our community grow – from new friendships being built to women achieving fitness goals they never thought possible.” 

In its first year, Sole Striders has reached more than 800 women through its running and walking groups and helped more than 100 women take part in their first mass participation event. 

Building on this success, the group recently launched the Active Movement Series, spotlighting a different sport each month to encourage the Sole Striders community to try new ways to stay active.  

“Community is at the heart of Sole Striders,” Najma added. “It’s more than just running – it’s about showing up for one another, offering encouragement, and creating a space where every woman feels seen and supported. We’ve seen members go from shy joggers to confident run leaders, from doubting they could run 5K to signing up for half marathons. That transformation happens because of the spirit of the community – women lifting each other up.” 

Next month, the 40 Sole Striders will make their debut at The Big Half, alongside a team taking on The New Balance Big Relay. The relay event takes place on the same 13.1-mile course as The Big Half, giving teams of four the chance to each run a leg of about 5K. 

Mona, Sole Striders co-founder, said: “There’s something so special about running together in a big event like The Big Half. It’s not just about the miles – it’s about the meaning behind them. For many of us, just being on that Start Line is already a huge achievement. And the feeling when you cross that Finish Line, is unmatched.” 
 

Sanaa Qureshi, Senior Community Engagement Manager at London Marathon Events (organiser of The Big Half), said: “Community and inclusivity is at the heart of The Big Half. We are proud to work with groups like Coopah’s Refugee Run Club and Sole Striders – particularly given their work with migrant and refugee communities and women across London, groups we know are often marginalised when it comes to access to sport and physical activity. Our community groups always bring huge energy, vibrancy and passion to everything they do and we look forward to welcoming them to The Big Half next month.”