“It was the most beautiful half marathon I have ever run”

Not all races have to be PB attempts, why not just enjoy one! We don’t advertise our race as a good PB course like many others try to do. Having said that, the men’s record is still an amazing 1h 14m 15s (set in 2022) and the women’s is 1h 25m 40s (set in 2023). The Buckingham Half is a lovely rural route through beautiful countryside on quiet lanes. It may be described as undulating, but all hills are relative (and there really aren’t that many!), and it’s a circular course, so what goes up must come down.

What’s more, it is one of the cheapest half marathon events around and you get plenty for your money, including a bespoke medal (different every year); free cake, tea and coffee; free photos of as many runners as we can; free parking next to the registration building. It’s organised by the local running club and ALL profits go to local charities, not someone’s pocket, who might do this kind of thing for a living.

Course Information:

The Buckingham Half Marathon is a scenic, undulating, single lap 13.1 mile loop around the beautiful Buckingham countryside – all of it on quiet country lanes and tarmac paths – passing through Leckhampstead, Wicken and Akeley.

The race follows the route in an anti-clockwise direction and starts and finishes at Maids Moreton Playing Fields, a 3 minute walk from the Race HQ which is at Buckingham Rugby Club, MK18 1RF.
There will be water stations with bottled water at 3.1, 5 , 7, 10 and 11.5 miles. Please run on the left hand side of the road unless directed otherwise by marshals.

The race will be run under UK Athletic rules. Race licence number 2023-44128

A map of the course and the elevation profile can be found by clicking

Results and Prizes

Race Timing Solutions will have your results available for you to see and print as soon as you finish.

There will be trophies for:

• 1 ^st, 2 ^nd and 3 ^rd male and female runners
• 1 ^st 40+ male and female runners
• 1 ^st 50+ male and female runners
• 1 ^st 60+ male and female runners

If you think you might have won a trophy, please wait around for the presentation which will be at approximately 12pm if not sooner. No runner will be eligible for more than one prize.

Registration and race pack collection

Nothing will be posted out, you will need to pick up your number and chip from race HQ on the day, which is at Buckingham Rugby Club, Moreton Road, MK18 1RF.

There is parking here for 140 cars. Please do NOT park in the residential streets. Neither the rugby club nor BSRC accept any liability for damage to vehicles parked in these car parks.

Registration will open at 8.00am and close at 9.15am.

FAQs

Is the event chip timed?
Yes. Chip timing is provided by Race Timing Solutions
Will there be entries on the day?
Yes £30 cash or card, if the event has not sold out beforehand.
Will transfers be accepted?
Yes, if you know someone who wants your place, transfers will be accepted up until the 1st May. Email  thebuckinghamhalf@gmail.com with full details of who is taking your place. You MUST NOT under any circumstances use someone else’s running number, nor let someone else use yours.
Can I defer my entry until next year?
If you are injured or otherwise unable to run on the day, you will NOT be able to defer your entry.
What time does registration open and close?
Registration will open at 8.00am and close at 9.15am.
Will there be baggage storage?
There will be supervised baggage storage facilities available, although we recommend you keep your baggage in your car to reduce the possibility of COVID transmission. The baggage storage will be at the start but please note that this is entirely at your own risk and we cannot be held responsible for any lost or missing items. If you arrive by car, you are strongly advised to leave any valuables out of sight in the boot of your vehicle.  

What facilities will be available?
There are toilets available at registration and by the start and finish. There will be one toilet out on the course. There will be changing rooms available before the start at registration.
What is the time limit?
The time limit is 3 hours.
Can I run with headphones?
In line with UK athletics rules, the wearing of headphones is NOT permitted, unless they are bone conduction.
Can I run with a buggy or a dog?
No, as the entire race is on open roads with traffic and there are some narrow sections.
Not sure whether to run?
Please don’t run if you have had any sort of virus or fever in the four weeks leading up to the race. It is equally foolish to run with an injury – please DO NOT run in these circumstances. If you have any Covid symptoms please ensure you test before the event, and only turn up if you are negative.
Will there be a medal?
All finishers will receive a bespoke Buckingham Half Marathon medal – it’s a different one every year!
Will there be marshals and course signage?
The course will be fully marshaled and clearly marked, including mile markers.
Will there be post-race refreshments?
There will be FREE tea, coffee and cake for all runners!
Will there be race photographs?
Yes there will be a photographer on the course. All photos will be made available free of charge.
Will there be First Aid cover?
Yes First Aid will be provided at the start/finish and around the course.

Where are the best spectator viewing points?

Of course the best place to spectate is at the start and finish at Maids Moreton Playing Fields. But the best, and safest, places on the course are shown below.

 Location 1, Wicken Green, between St John’s Lane & Church Lane, Wicken

 Location 2, Akeley Village Hall, off Church Hill, Akeley 

Also, we couldn’t put on this event without the help and support of the following:

• Maids Moreton Parish Council
• Akeley Parish Council
• Buckingham Rugby Club
• Buckingham Primary School
• BCQ printers
• Swan Practice Medical Services
• Seahawk Trophies
• Aldi, Buckingham

We hope everything has been covered here but if you have any further questions or queries, please contact us at:
thebuckinghamhalf@gmail.com or via the Buckingham Half Marathon Facebook page …