The Royal Parks Half Marathon, one of the UK’s most prominent running events, has announced international sport and leisure brand Oysho as its new headline sponsor, starting with the 2026 edition of the race.
The annual autumn/fall event, which is scheduled to take place on October 11, 2026, is set to welcome more than 18,000 runners to the heart of London, UK. The event offers a 13.1-mile route running through four of the capital’s central Royal Parks: Hyde Park, Green Park, St James’s Park, and Kensington Gardens.
The course takes runners past landmarks such as Buckingham Palace, Trafalgar Square, and the Houses of Parliament.
Since its inaugural event in 2008, the half marathon has raised more than £80 million for over 1,900 charities. This has inspired thousands of participants each year to challenge themselves while raising funds for charity partners across the UK, helping to support diverse social and environmental causes.
Founded in Barcelona, Spain, in 2001, Oysho is part of the Inditex Group, which is one of the world’s largest fashion retail groups operating other international brands such as Zara, Massimo Dutti, and Bershka. It has established itself as an international sport and leisure brand, designing technical collections for athletic activities such as running, fitness, yoga, Pilates, barre, padel, and skiing.
The brand is present in more than 220 markets globally through its integrated online platform and physical store network.
In the UK, Oysho has established a strong physical retail presence with three flagship stores located in London, situated on Oxford Street, Westfield White City, and Westfield Stratford, strengthening its connection with the UK capital’s active lifestyle community.
As part of the headline sponsorship, Oysho will supply the official technical apparel for all event staff and volunteers, alongside designing and producing the official finisher t-shirts for all participating runners. This allows participants to experience the brand’s technical performance wear first-hand, which is designed with technical innovation, high breathability, and lightweight fabrics.
The collaboration will also extend beyond the day of the race. Throughout the build-up to the event in October 2026, Oysho will implement a series of community-focused activations. These initiatives will include organised training runs, wellness experiences, and exclusive events designed to support runners during their training journey and strengthen the local running community in London.
Andrew Scattergood, Chief Executive at The Royal Parks, said “Every year, thousands of runners come together to experience the unique atmosphere of the Royal Parks Half Marathon. We’re excited to partner with Oysho, a brand that shares our belief that running is about more than crossing the finish line, it’s about community, confidence and creating memorable experiences. Together, we’re looking forward to making the 2026 event our most exciting yet.”
Community engagement represents a core value for both organisations. Through its Oysho Community platform, the brand connects thousands of active individuals every week through running clubs, partner fitness studios, and group training sessions. This closely aligns with the inclusive philosophy of the Royal Parks Half Marathon, which welcomes runners of all abilities.
The event is organised by the Royal Parks, which is the registered charity responsible for managing, protecting, and improving London’s historic parklands. The charity looks after eight primary open spaces in London, including Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, St James’s Park, The Green Park, The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, Greenwich Park, Richmond Park, and Bushy Park. It also manages other capital spaces such as Brompton Cemetery and Victoria Tower Gardens.
It costs approximately £75m annually to manage and maintain these public spaces, which span over 5,000 acres across the capital. The charity is highly independent, raising around 85% of its income through its own commercial activities, events, and donations, while the remaining 15% is funded by the UK Government. Major events such as the half marathon play an essential role in supporting this funding structure.
With Oysho now on board as the headline sponsor, the race is expected to strengthen its position on the international running calendar, encouraging more people to experience the physical and mental benefits of running.
