Run the River 2024

Our twilight run event is back! Sign up for Run the River 2024 and help every young person fulfil their potential.

Sign up to Run the River to help every child have the future they deserve. 

Children experiencing poverty face more challenges to succeed at school – and in life.  

It’s not fair that potential is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t. 

Help us end educational inequality. 

Run today. Transform tomorrow.

Any route. Any ability. Anywhere in the world. 

Sign up to Run the River and help young people have the future they deserve. 

With a mass in-person event and virtual option to choose from, there’s never been an easier way to take part.

Mass in-person event (London)
This year, our twilight run returns where we see hundreds take to the banks of the Thames on Wednesday 11 September.

Take on an unforgettable 5km or 10km route in London with 2,500 fellow runners and help every child fulfil their potential.

Taking part is easy:

1. Sign up 
Start your registration and select 'Sign up here!' button above, and then select ‘In-person event 5km’ or ‘In-person event 10km’. Your registration fee covers the costs of the event, including our event village with an unmissable atmosphere, your technical t-shirt, and your finisher’s medal.

2. Support any way you can
Donate at checkout or set up a fundraising page to support our work. Let your friends, family and colleagues know you’ll be taking part and get their support. 

3. Join us on event day
Head to Potter’s Fields Park, London, on Wednesday 11 September. You’ll be allocated a wave with a staggered arrival time, starting from 6.15pm. We can’t wait to cheer you and your fellow runners over the finish line and see you wear your finisher’s medal. 

Key timings
Runners are allocated a wave based on their distance and estimated finishing time. 
The waves and timings are summarised below. 

• 7.00pm - Blue wave (10K runners expecting to finish in under 55mins). Suggested arrival time: 6.15pm.
• 7.15pm - Yellow wave (10K runners expecting to finish in over 55mins). Suggested arrival time: 6.30pm. 
• 7.30pm - Red wave (5K runners expecting to finish in under 35mins). Suggested arrival time: 6.45pm.
• 7.45pm - Green wave (5K runners expecting to finish in over 35mins). Suggested arrival time: 7.00pm. 

If you are planning to walk, you must ensure you return to Potters Fields by 9.15pm. This means if you are planning on walking the 10k you must be able to complete within 2 hours and the 5k you must be able to complete within 1hour 30 minutes.

Bag drop will close at 9.30pm. Please ensure you collect your bag before heading offsite. 

Please note, those who sign up after 1 of September will need to collect their race pack (including their running bib and t-shirt) from the event village on the day. Please allow extra time and come to the 'Info tent' when you arrive.  Please read the runner guide berefohand. 

​Looking for the virtual option?
Prefer a more flexible option? The virtual Run the River is your chance to complete a 5k or 10k race however and wherever you wish and still help young people have the future they deserve. 

Sign up to take part in our virtual race wherever you are between 9 – 15 September.

TAKE ME THERE​

Your support has never been more vital  
One in four children in the UK experience poverty. 

All children have big dreams. But not every child gets the opportunities they need to thrive in school.  Children experiencing poverty only have half the chance of fulfilling their potential at school than their wealthier classmates. You can change this by signing up and showing your support with Run the River. Help power the potential in our young people by fundraising or donating to support the children who need it the most.  

 With your help, we can ensure all children can have the future of their choice. 


Taking part as a team  
You can take part in Run the River solo or as part of a team. When signing up, team captains should click 'Create a team' and choose a team name. All other team members should select 'Find a team' and search for it by name. It's that easy. 

If your company would like to cover the cost of your team, we can support with arranging an invoice. Get in touch with us at events@teachfirst.org.uk to get this set up. 

You can also fundraise as a team using JustGiving. If you need any support, you can contact us at the address above.

Volunteering
Run the River wouldn’t be possible without a team of brilliant and enthusiastic volunteers. If you want to be involved, join our team of Volunteers and help make Run the River even better in 2024. Volunteer roles range from guiding and cheering our runners along the route, to being at the finish area putting medals round our triumphant runners’ necks. Sign up here today!

Questions? 
You may find the answer to your question in our FAQs. Or, you can email the Teach First events team at events@teachfirst.org.uk or call us on 02038628262.