Thousands come out for RBC Running Weekend

More than 22,000 participants raise over £5.6 million during two race days.

RBC’s Running Weekend 2018 brought more than 22,000 people together for the RBC Race for the Kids event and the Royal Parks Half Marathon on Oct. 13 and 14. 

RBC Race for the Kids returned to London’s Hyde Park in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Over 2,000 Team RBC runners raised £650,000, which brings the total RBC contribution to £2.8 million for 2018. Those vital funds contributed to the Royal Bank of Canada Neurosciences Unit, which opened earlier in the year.

All funds raised by RBC will go towards supporting essential parent accommodation facilities next door to GOSH. The new Royal Bank of Canada House will provide a home away from home for the parents and families of seriously ill children being treated at GOSH. So far, £280,000 has been raised in support of the new Royal Bank of Canada House.

RBC became Presenting Partner of the Half and the RBC Corporate 13.1 team race in 2017 and in 2018, a record-breaking 300 Team RBC runners took part, contributing to over £5 million raised to support 556 charities. Runners followed a picturesque route through the closed streets of central London and four of the city’s eight Royal Parks.

The event promotes a sustainable ethos, with around 100,000 plastic bottles being removed from the course and festival area and runners received a carton of water at the finish line, rather than a single-use plastic bottle. By 2020 the Royal Parks Half has committed to going entirely plastic free, both on the course and in the festival area. In addition, race shirts are made from sustainable bamboo and upcycled plastic bottles and all discarded clothing is collected and donated to Traid.

RBC has extended the partnership through to 2020.