New closed-road 13.1-mile event debuts on 14 March 2027, starting and finishing at Morden Park with route through Wimbledon town centre, All England Club, and Wimbledon Village
The official route for Run South London — a brand new half marathon being introduced to the capital’s running calendar — has been announced, taking participants on a 13.1-mile course through some of south-west London’s most recognisable landmarks and green spaces.
The event is organised by The Great Run Company, the UK’s largest running event organiser, in partnership with Merton Council, and will take place on Sunday 14 March 2027 on entirely closed roads throughout the route.
The Full Route in Detail
The course starts and finishes at Morden Park, located a short walk from Morden Underground station on the Northern line — making the venue highly accessible by public transport for participants travelling from across London and beyond.
From Morden Park, runners head north through a sequence of south-west London neighbourhoods before reaching the event’s most prominent landmark sections:
Opening miles — Morden to Wimbledon
The route heads north through Morden, South Wimbledon, Wimbledon Chase, and Raynes Park, with local residents expected to line the closed roads to support participants through the early stages of the race.
Wimbledon town centre
Runners pass through the heart of Wimbledon town centre — one of south-west London’s most established commercial and residential centres — before the route circles Wimbledon Park.
All England Lawn Tennis Club
The route runs alongside the perimeter of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, home of The Championships, Wimbledon — the world’s oldest and most prestigious tennis Grand Slam. Running past the venue gives participants a rare opportunity to experience this internationally recognised sporting site on foot during the off-season, when access to the surrounding roads is typically limited.
Wimbledon Common
From the All England Club, the course enters Wimbledon Common — one of London’s largest areas of open public space at approximately 1,100 acres — covering heathland, woodland, and grassland managed by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Conservators. Runners will pass the historic Wimbledon Windmill, a Grade II listed structure dating from 1817 that is one of the Common’s most photographed landmarks.
Wimbledon Village
Leaving the Common, the route passes through Wimbledon Village — the historic hilltop area above Wimbledon town centre, characterised by independent shops, restaurants, and Georgian and Victorian architecture that gives this part of the route a distinctly different character from the earlier suburban miles.
Return through Merton
The course then turns south, returning through Merton’s residential neighbourhoods, high streets, and local landmarks. Raynes Park features again in the closing section of the route, providing a second opportunity for crowd support before the final approach.
Morden Park finish
The route returns to Morden Park for the finish, where organisers plan a festival atmosphere for participants completing the race and their supporters.
Why This Route Is Significant
The course design gives Run South London a distinctive identity within London’s running event calendar — an increasingly competitive market that includes events across multiple boroughs throughout the year.
The All England Club section is a particular draw. Wimbledon is one of the most globally recognised sporting venues in the world, attracting significant international attention each June and July. Running alongside the venue during a March event gives participants access to a location that is otherwise visible primarily from public transport and surrounding roads.
Wimbledon Common’s inclusion also sets the course apart from primarily urban half marathon routes. The transition from town centre streets to open heathland and woodland within the same race provides a varied experience that combines urban running with a more natural environment — a combination that has proven popular in events such as the Richmond Park-based Parkrun and the various trail running events held on the Common itself.
About the Great Run Company
The Great Run Company is the UK’s largest mass participation running event organiser, responsible for events including the Great North Run — the world’s largest half marathon by participant numbers — alongside a portfolio of Great Run events in cities across the UK.
The company’s involvement gives Run South London an established operational infrastructure, including timing technology, event logistics, medical provision, and participant support that may not be available through smaller local race organisers. For first-time half marathon participants in particular, the presence of an experienced major event organiser typically means more consistent race-day organisation and a more predictable participant experience.
Merton Council’s Role
The event is co-produced with Merton Council, whose involvement provides the local authority relationship necessary for closed-road permissions and community engagement across the borough.
Half marathon routes passing through residential areas require cooperation from local councils, residents, and businesses along the route. Merton’s direct involvement as co-organiser — rather than simply granting permits to an external organiser — signals a higher level of local authority commitment to the event’s long-term establishment in the borough.
For Merton, a successful annual half marathon brings economic benefit through race-day visitor spending, increased local profile, and community engagement through a sporting event that gives residents in multiple neighbourhoods a direct connection to an event passing their front doors.
Getting to the Start Line
Morden Underground station (Northern line, Morden branch) is the most practical transport option for participants and supporters travelling by public transport. The station is the southern terminus of the Northern line’s Morden branch, with direct connections to Waterloo, London Bridge, King’s Cross, and Camden Town among many central and north London stations.
The walk from Morden station to Morden Park is short — under 10 minutes — making the start and finish location particularly accessible for large numbers of participants arriving by Tube.
Participants driving to the event should check for event-specific parking guidance when it is published by organisers, as closed roads and high footfall in the Morden Park area on race day will affect local traffic patterns.
How to Enter
The event is scheduled for Sunday 14 March 2027, with entry information available through The Great Run Company’s website. Entries for new Great Run events typically open well in advance of the race date, with early entry often available at lower prices before general availability opens.
Participants planning to enter should also note that mid-March in London can bring a wide range of weather conditions — from cold and wet to mild and dry — and should train and prepare for conditions across this range during their build-up period.
