The Cheltenham Running Festival returns on Sunday, 14 June 2026 at one of the UK's most iconic sporting venues — Cheltenham Racecourse. Hosted by RunThrough Events, this festival offers a uniquely British experience: running on the perimeter and infield of the world-famous racecourse, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Cotswold Hills. The chip-timed course follows a 5km loop on tarmac (with some sections of gravel and soft surface), mostly flat and accurately mile-marked throughout. Choose from a Half Marathon, 10K or 5K — or bring the kids for the Junior Race at 12:30pm. Every mile is marked, marshals cheer you round, and the lively event village serves food, drink, and post-race goodies. "Channel your inner jockey" is the event motto — and the racecourse setting delivers on that in full.
Half
Marathon
10:00am
🏆 Half Marathon 13.1 miles — Start 10:00am — 4 laps (out & back)
4 laps · 120m elevation · Tarmac + gravel/soft sections · Cheltenham Racecourse perimeter + infield · Cotswold Hills backdrop · Chip-timed · Medal + free race photos + post-race goodies · 3-hour time limit (advance notice required if over)
10K
10:45am
🥈 10K — Start 10:45am — 2 laps
2 laps · 60m elevation · Tarmac + some gravel · Racecourse circuit · Every mile marked · Chip-timed · Medal + free race photos + post-race goodies · Marshals on course
5K
10:55am
🥉 5K — Start 10:55am — 1 lap · Note: no water station on course
1 lap · 30m elevation · Tarmac · Racecourse · Every mile marked · Chip-timed · Medal + free race photos + post-race goodies · Water available at finish only
Junior
Race
12:30pm
👦 Junior Race — Start 12:30pm — 3m elevation · Tarmac · Family fun!
For young runners · Flat circuit · Tarmac · Chip-timed · Makes it a perfect family day out · Event village open throughout · Grandstand toilets nearby
Event
Village
& Venue
🏕️ Event Village — Food · Drink · Goodies · Free Parking
Free on-site parking (arrive early) · Secure bag drop marquee · Toilets in Grandstand · Event village with food, drink & partner goodies · Free race photos after the event · RunThrough Technical T-Shirt available for £12
Venue: Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 4SH. Date: Sunday, 14 June 2026. Start Times: Half Marathon 10:00am · 10K 10:45am · 5K 10:55am · Junior Race 12:30pm. Course: 5km loop · Perimeter + infield of racecourse · Tarmac + some gravel/soft surface · Every mile accurately marked. Elevation: Half 120m · 10K 60m · 5K 30m · Junior 3m. Laps: Half 4 · 10K 2 · 5K 1. Time limit: 3 hours (Half Marathon — contact RunThrough if expected over). Parking: Free on-site · Arrive early. Bag Drop: Secure marquee at venue. Toilets: Grandstand. Water: Water stations on course (Half + 10K) · 5K water at finish only. Organiser: RunThrough Events · runthrough.co.uk.
All Races at a Glance
| Race |
Start / Laps / Elevation |
Details |
| Half Marathon HALF |
10:00am · 4 laps · 120m |
Tarmac + gravel · 3hr limit · Medal + photos |
| 10K 10K |
10:45am · 2 laps · 60m |
Tarmac + gravel · Chip-timed · Medal + photos |
| 5K 5K |
10:55am · 1 lap · 30m |
Tarmac · No water on course · Medal + photos |
| Junior Race JUNIOR |
12:30pm · 3m elevation |
Kids · Flat · Tarmac · Family day out |
| 🏇 CHELT. Cheltenham Racecourse · Cotswold Hills · Free parking · Event village · RunThrough Events · runthrough.co.uk |
Running shoes for a racecourse half marathon — i-Run 13.1 miles on tarmac around Cheltenham Racecourse with the Cotswold Hills as a backdrop — mostly flat, 120m of elevation. Brooks, Asics, Hoka, New Balance — the right road shoes for a comfortable race day. i-Run, running specialist. International shipping.
Shop i-Run →
![trail campagne[57]](/getfile.php/5496386.1046.bupujuummnawaz/trail+campagne%5B57%5D.jpg)