60,000 people celebrated the spirit of Hackney through sport at the largest-ever Hackney Festival of Fitness

0

This weekend, 60,000 people celebrated the spirit of Hackney through sport at the largest-ever Hackney Festival of Fitness.

Virgin Sport held a three-day celebration that included the community Hackney 5K, the Hackney Half, and over 72 experiential fitness activities on Hackney Marshes!

Familiar faces included; Ella Eyre, James Haskell, Julie Adenuga, Clara Amfo, Michael Dapaah, Jamie Laing, Harrison Osterfield, Kaz Crossley.

Thousands of runners celebrated the spirit of Hackney by taking on London’s most vibrant running event, the Hackney Half, on the final day of the Hackney Festival of Fitness, 17 – 19 May 2019.

17,200 people ran the 2019 Hackney Half Marathon, making it one of the largest half marathons in the UK and the most popular Half in London!

At 9am, runners including leading London run clubs Track Mafia and Run Dem Crew, hit the buzzing 13.1 mile route, passing under the NIKE London x Concrete Objects bespoke start line. A unique structural installation, inspired by the architecture of community, that will be given back to the community for use as functional rest stations across Hackney borough.

The 2019 Hackney Half Marathon was won by Jonathan Cornish (male winner) and Emily Stewart (female winner) with times of 1:06:58 and 01:19.45 respectively.

Male Winner Jonathan said of his time “”I love the buzz of the Hackney Half Marathon. Great energy, support, and cheering the whole way! And so happy to achieve a PB of about 20 seconds. And hope to be back soon!”.

Female Hackney Half Marathon 2019 Winner, Emily added: “”I really enjoyed the race. It’s the first race I’ve run with spectators, which really spurs you on! It was great fun! I was smiling the whole way.”

The HACKNEY SCHOOLS’ CHALLENGE returned for another year with over 1,000 Hackney School kids taking on the 1.1 mile race to complete their own 13.1 mile challenge.