Three distances, one December Sunday
The date is Sunday 6 December 2026. The London Running Festival December edition offers three races through London that day: a half marathon, a 10k and a 5k. That spread means a club runner chasing a winter half and a friend doing a first 5k can share the same day out.
Here are the distances in both units, since British runners talk in both:
- Half marathon: 21.1km, or 13.1 miles
- 10k: 6.2 miles
- 5k: 3.1 miles
The organiser publishes the start venue, course map and entry links on its official site. Treat that as the source for anything about the venue or tickets, rather than older listings for past editions.
What an early-December morning in London is like
The light is low and it arrives late. In early December the sun rises a little before 8am and sets before 4pm, so a morning start can feel close to dawn. Daytime highs in London at this time of year usually sit in the single digits Celsius, and nights often drop close to freezing.
Damp is the bigger factor than cold. Pavements and park paths stay wet for hours after rain, and fallen leaves make corners slick. On a clear, still night, frost can glaze the grass and bridge surfaces by morning.
Most runners dress for the second mile, not the start line. A long-sleeve base layer, gloves and a light hat usually cover it. The hat tends to come off around the 5k mark.
Getting across town on a Sunday
Sunday transport runs on a different rhythm. Tube services start later on Sunday mornings than on weekdays. Weekend engineering works also close sections of Underground, Overground and rail lines fairly often. Transport for London lists planned closures on its website and in the TfL Go app.
On Saturday nights the Night Tube runs on parts of the Victoria, Jubilee, Central, Northern and Piccadilly lines. Night buses fill the gaps. Runners staying a few stops from the start often walk or cycle instead. Santander Cycles docking stations cover much of central London.
Entry and what the organiser publishes
Tickets come through the organiser. Its official site carries entry links for each distance, plus race-day details and the event’s terms. Prices, start times and the venue all live there, and this guide prints none of them.
For a first-timer choosing a distance, the honest maths is simple. A December 10k or half needs training through November’s dark evenings. The 5k suits anyone who runs a few times a week already.
Race-morning habits of London runners
London’s running scene has its own routines, and they make race day smoother.
- Pay by tapping. Contactless bank cards and phones work on every Tube, bus and London rail service. Use the same card to tap in and out, or the system charges a maximum fare.
- Stand on the right. On Tube escalators, people standing keep right and people walking pass on the left. A crowd of runners heading for the start tests this.
- Bring a throwaway layer. Runners often wear an old jumper or a bin bag poncho in the start pen and shed it at the gun. Larger events commonly collect discarded clothing for charity.
- Thank the marshals. UK races rely heavily on volunteers, and a “cheers” on the way past is the norm.
- Know the parkrun rule. Free timed 5k parkruns happen across London at 9am every Saturday. Many half marathon runners skip the day before, or jog one gently as a shakeout.
After the race, the local ritual is a Sunday roast in a pub. Popular pubs fill up from lunchtime, so Londoners usually reserve a table rather than walk in.
Turning the race into a December weekend
Early December puts the race inside London’s Christmas season. Regent Street and Oxford Street hang their festive lights from November. Covent Garden puts up a large tree in its market building.
Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland usually runs from late November into early January, with rides, ice skating and food stalls. Along the river, the Southbank Centre usually holds a winter market by the Thames between Waterloo Bridge and the London Eye. Tired legs handle it well: it’s flat, and there’s hot food every few metres.
Most visitors pair a Saturday arrival with the Sunday race and a slow Monday departure. That leaves the evening after the run for lights and a big dinner, not a train.
Frequently asked questions
When is the London Running Festival December 2026?
It takes place on Sunday 6 December 2026, with half marathon, 10k and 5k races through London on the same day.
Where is the start venue and how do I get tickets?
The organiser publishes the venue, course map and entry links for each distance on its official site. That is where current ticket and race-day details live.
What is the weather usually like for a December race in London?
Cold and often damp. Daytime highs are usually in the single digits Celsius, and sunrise is a little before 8am. Most runners wear a long-sleeve layer, gloves and a hat they can take off mid-race.
Does the Tube run normally on race-day Sunday?
Sunday services start later than weekday ones, and weekend engineering works often close parts of the network. Transport for London lists planned closures on its website and in the TfL Go app. Contactless cards work on all TfL services.
What else is on in London that weekend?
Early December is Christmas season. Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland, the Southbank Centre winter market and the lights on Regent Street and Oxford Street usually run at this time of year.
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