Over £55k raised from Ilkley Half Marathon & 5K

The 2026 Ilkley Half Marathon and 5K has raised more than £55,000 directly for local good causes, with thousands more raised independently by runners supporting charities close to their hearts.

Organised by Ilkley & District Round Table, this year's event brought thousands of runners, supporters, volunteers and spectators together for one of Ilkley's biggest community sporting events of the year.

The £55k+ figure represents the direct fundraising generated by the event itself, which will be distributed to support local charities, community groups and good causes. And that's only part of the story; Hundreds of runners also used their place in the race to raise money independently for charities and organisations that matter to them, meaning the true fundraising impact of the event stretches well beyond the headline total.

Among the organisations benefiting from individual fundraising are local causes such as the Clarke Foley Community Hub, alongside national charities including the National Firefighters Charity.

Together, the event's direct fundraising and the additional money raised by individual participants demonstrate the extraordinary generosity of the Ilkley running community and the wider support the event receives.

The Half Marathon and 5K took place on Sunday 12^th July, with runners of all ages and abilities taking on the scenic but challenging routes around Ilkley and the surrounding countryside. For some, it was a chance to chase a personal best. For others, it was their first ever organised race, while many runners took part simply to raise money for a cause close to their heart.

The race created a huge community atmosphere across the town, with thousands of spectators lining the route to cheer runners on before heading to the Event Village on West Holmes Field. The event village provided entertainment, food and drink and a dedicated youth area, ensuring there was plenty for supporters and families to enjoy while waiting for runners to cross the finish line.

Pete Haigh, Race Director said: “We are absolutely delighted that the 2026 Ilkley Half Marathon and 5K has raised more than £55,000 directly for local good causes. It's an incredible result and something that everyone involved should be incredibly proud of.

“But that figure only tells part of the story. We know that thousands more pounds have been raised by individual runners supporting charities and organisations that mean something to them, from the Clarke Foley Community Hub here in Ilkley to national charities such as the National Firefighters Charity.

“That really demonstrates what makes this event so special. It's not just a race – it's a huge community fundraising effort. Every runner who signs up, every person who sponsors a friend, every volunteer who gives up their time and every spectator who comes out to cheer them on is contributing to something much bigger.”

The event's success is also a testament to the hundreds of volunteers who work behind the scenes to make race day possible.

From months of planning and route preparation to registration, marshalling, traffic management and running the event village, an enormous amount of work takes place before the first runner crosses the start line.

The event also provides an important opportunity for local businesses and organisations to support their community, with sponsors and partners helping the Round Table deliver a high-quality event while maximising the amount ultimately returned to good causes. The organising team thank JT Atkinson, Ison Harrison, Silverspring Sales & Lettings, and all the other kind sponsors for their generous support.

The Event Village provided a focal point for the celebrations, with live entertainment including DJ Andre Bravado, alongside food, drink and activities for younger visitors. For many participants, however, the highlight was the moment they crossed the finish line to the cheers of friends, family and supporters.

The £55,000+ direct fundraising total, combined with the additional money raised by runners themselves, reinforces the unique role the Ilkley Half Marathon and 5K plays in the town's calendar – bringing people together through sport while generating vital funds for organisations making a difference locally and further afield.

With the 2026 race now wrapped up, there is little time for the Round Table team to put their feet up. The 2027 Ilkley Half Marathon and 5K will take place on Sunday 11 July, before then, their attention will turn to two of its much-loved winter traditions - the Ilkley & District Round Table Santa Float and the Ilkley Beer Festival in February.

Tom Harris, Ilkley & District Round Table, added: “We might have finished the Half Marathon, but there isn't much time to rest! The Santa Float will soon be out and about across Ilkley in December, followed by the Beer Festival in February, before we'll be straight back into preparations for next year's Half Marathon.

That's the nature of Round Table – we're constantly looking for ways to bring people together and raise money for the community. We're incredibly proud of what this year's runners and volunteers have achieved, and we're already looking forward to doing it all again.”

Ilkley Round Table has thanked every runner, volunteer, sponsor, partner, spectator and supporter who contributed to this year's success.

The message from organisers is simple: a few thousand runners may have completed the race, but the whole community helped make the difference.