Hackney Academy Launches for Half Marathon Community Ties Hackney 2026

Key Points

• The Hackney Academy relaunched on 24 February 2026 for its second year, expanded from 30 participants in 2025 to 50 this year.​
• Participants are Hackney locals new to running or returning after breaks due to injury, health, or personal challenges; they receive a 12-week training programme with expert coaching, kit, and free entry to the sold-out 2026 Hackney Half Marathon on 17 May 2026.
• Eligibility requires living in Hackney or nearby boroughs, being 18+, new/returning runner, and able to attend at least 10 of 12 weekly sessions; applications were open until 14 January 2026 via hackneymoves.com/hackney-academy.​
• Launch event at Ozone Coffee included first run and Q&A with 2025 cohort.​
• Participant Raivene-Sea-Jewel Walters, a Youth Support & Development Worker from Hackney, shared: “Before the launch event, I was so nervous. I’m a total newbie and didn’t quite know what to expect. But more than anything, I was excited. Excited to meet new people, to find support in a group of fellow beginners, and to push myself all the way to that finish line. Within minutes, I felt at ease and knew I wouldn’t be doing it alone, and that made all the difference. After the run, I felt amazing. Running through my local Hackney streets, chatting with new friends and even bumping into familiar faces, it was such a special feeling. I don’t usually run in London, so experiencing it like that, surrounded by a new community, was something else. What started as nerves turned into joy, connection, and a real sense of belonging. Now we’re planning to train together outside of the Hackney Academy sessions too. Sometimes the scariest step is just showing up, but that first step can lead you straight into a whole new community.”​
• Walters aims to run in memory of her grandmother Sylvia Songhurst, building resilience amid chronic PCOS and recent ADHD diagnosis.​
• Hackney Moves 2026 festival (16-17 May) is the most community-integrated yet, organised by Motiv Sports UK, expecting 60,000 attendees with music, entertainment, fitness classes from local talent.
• Community 5K on 16 May adds family wave for under-13s with adults, allowing kids from age 4 to participate, bridging Schools Challenge (under 11) and 5K (previously 13+).​
• Schools Challenge expands by 500 spaces to 1,500 total; pupils complete half marathon distance in segments, run final mile on event day (1,000 participated in 2025).​
• Community Programme includes Partners (local run clubs with discounted tickets, route presence, roles) and Champions (businesses/organisations with discounts, promotion); Partners: 10 in 2025, all returning; Champions up from under 30 to over 60.
• 1,000 discounted half marathon places for Partners/Champions’ runners.​
• Katie Fried, Festivals and Activations Manager at Motiv Sports UK, said: “We are extremely proud to deliver this Community Programme once more and to be able to expand its offerings for 2026. The programme is all about strengthening existing relationships and building new ones, so more people can get involved in every part of Hackney Moves. By listening, and understanding, the barriers people face and working together to remove them, we can open up more opportunities for residents and local organisations.”​
• Programme aims to increase local participation, foster pride, promote inclusivity, reflect Hackney’s community by removing barriers.
• 2025 Half had over 25,000 racers.​

Hackney, London (East London Times) February 26, 2026 – The Hackney Academy has relaunched with an expanded cohort of 50 participants, marking a significant step in the 2026 Hackney Moves festival’s deepened commitment to borough community ties, as entries for the flagship half marathon sold out rapidly. Organisers Motiv Sports UK unveiled the initiative on 24 February at Ozone Coffee, where new runners embarked on their first group session ahead of the 17 May event. This expansion builds on 2025’s success, aiming to make the festival more inclusive for East London residents.

What is the Hackney Academy?

The Hackney Academy supports up to 50 local people new to running or returning after injury, health challenges, or personal barriers through a 12-week programme from mid-February to race day. Participants gain expert coaching, kit, and free entry to the sold-out Wizz Air Hackney Half Marathon.

As detailed on the official Hackney Moves site, the academy builds confidence, friendships, and readiness via 12 sessions.

As reported by UKRunChat, the programme debuted in 2025 with 30 runners who completed the 13.1-mile challenge. This year, it targets varying backgrounds, with the launch featuring a Q&A with last year’s cohort. London Post noted applications closed on 14 January, requiring residency in Hackney or nearby, age 18+, and commitment to 10+ sessions.

When and Where Does Hackney Moves 2026 Take Place?

The festival spans 16-17 May 2026 at Hackney Marshes, East London. The Community 5K occurs on Saturday 16 May, now with a family wave for under-13s accompanied by adults. The half marathon follows on Sunday 17 May, with over 25,000 expected to race as in 2025.

Hackney Moves encompasses a weekend of running, fitness, music, and talks by local creatives, drawing 60,000 visitors last year. MS-UK confirms the half marathon date as 17 May 2026.

Who Can Join the Hackney Academy?

Eligibility targets Hackney or nearby borough residents, 18+, beginners or returners from breaks, able to attend most sessions. Raivene-Sea-Jewel Walters, a lifelong Hackney resident and Youth Support Worker, exemplifies this as a total newbie living with PCOS and ADHD.

As per London Daily News, the initiative spearheads community engagement amid surging interest in the half marathon. The official site stresses support for underrepresented groups.

How Does the Community Programme Promote Inclusivity?

Motiv Sports UK’s Community Programme, launched last year, allocates 1,000 discounted half marathon places, a dedicated 5K wave, and free fitness activations. It fosters pride and accessibility, reflecting Hackney’s diversity.

Over 30 groups shaped it in 2025 via YourWorld, including 10 run clubs as Partners and 20+ organisations as Champions. Partners gain route presence and roles; Champions get promotions. Numbers grew: Champions now over 60.

Katie Fried of Motiv Sports UK emphasised:

“The programme is all about strengthening existing relationships and building new ones… By listening, and understanding, the barriers people face and working together to remove them, we can open up more opportunities for residents and local organisations.”​

What Happened at the 2025 Hackney Academy Launch?

In 2025, 30 locals trained 12 weeks, finishing the half marathon. London Post reported all completed the challenge, boosting local participation.

What New Features are in the 2026 Community 5K?

The 5K on 16 May adds a family wave for ages 4+ with adults, enhancing youth involvement. Thousands walk or run in celebration.​

How is the Schools Challenge Expanding?

An extra 500 spaces bring total to 1,500 pupils building a half marathon distance in segments, running the final mile on event day. 1,000 joined in 2025.

Why is Hackney Moves Important for the Borough?

As the biggest half marathon in London, it promotes health equity amid inequalities, per City and Hackney Neighbourhoods. Motiv Sports aims for lasting partnerships.

Raivene-Sea-Jewel Walters captured the spirit:

“What started as nerves turned into joy, connection, and a real sense of belonging.”

The festival celebrates East London’s energy, per hackneymoves.com.

This comprehensive expansion positions 2026 as Hackney Moves’ most integrated edition, embedding running into community life.

With sold-out entries, initiatives like the Academy ensure locals aren’t sidelined. Coverage from UKRunChat, London Post, and official channels highlights unified efforts by Motiv Sports UK to barrier-bust participation. As East London buzzes ahead of May, these programmes promise broader impacts on fitness, cohesion, and pride.