Day one of the RBC Running Weekend saw RBC Race for the Kids take place in person for the first time since 2019, raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity). More than 4,600 participants took part, including children who had been treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) and their families, the general public and over 1,400 RBC employees and their friends and families. Since the event began in 2010, the 5km family fun run has raised nearly £9 million for GOSH Charity, helping to support seriously ill children from across the UK
Fundraisers – including celebrity supporters Jason Isaacs, Michael Greco and Ben Willbond – took to the leafy paths of Hyde Park by foot, wheelchair, scooter or pushchair to complete the distance, with the route designed to be accessible to people of all ages and abilities. Pets were also very welcome with many dogs in attendance.
GOSH Charity and RBC hosted the family fun run for the 13th year as part of the global RBC Race for the Kids series. To date, RBC Races have attracted more than 325,000 participants worldwide who have collectively raised over C$74 million.
Day two of the RBC Running Weekend saw over 16,000 runners take part in the 15th Royal Parks Half Marathon, presented by Royal Bank of Canada. As presenting partner for the sixth year, RBC fielded a team of over 230 clients and employees, including Neil McClements who finished ninth.
The stunning route took runners through four of London’s Royal Parks and past 11 famous landmarks, with perfect blue skies adding to the atmosphere. Lots of on-course entertainment, including four RBC cheer stations, consisting of two RBC DJ trucks, an RBC bunting tunnel, Batala drummers and a 20+ RBC cheerleading squad close to the finishing line, kept runners motivated. There was also an RBC finisher photo stage for the all-important medal selfie.
Since the race began in 2008, nearly £60 million has been raised for over 1,200 UK charities. To enhance the impact the event has on the community, RBC sponsored the Inspire series, shining a spotlight on five inspirational runners and their stories, and well as the inaugural RBC Champion Award, recognizing the highest individual fundraiser with an additional £5,000 to their chosen charity.
The Royal Parks is also one of the greenest half marathons in the world, with a strong commitment to sustainability. This year’s initiatives included a plastic free event site with no single use plastic distributed, a plant-based event village, the opportunity to plant a tree instead of taking home a race shirt, and a sustainable pouch bag giveaway on the finish line.
“The RBC Running Weekend is an annual highlight for us all, and this year was extra special as it returned in person for the first time since 2019. It was wonderful to see so many people at RBC Race for the Kids and raising funds to support our long-standing partner, GOSH Charity, whose work is vital in supporting seriously ill children treated at GOSH and their families. We’re also proud to be the presenting partner of the Royal Parks Half Marathon, with its huge impact on hundreds of charities each year and its commitment to preserving London’s Royal Parks.”- Dave Thomas, CEO, RBC Europe
Thank you to all of our employees, clients, suppliers and members of the community for their continued support of both events.
