FAQs
Event information
What is RBC Race for the Kids?
RBC Race for the Kids is our annual flagship mass participation event, which raises money for the children and families at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). The event is a family festival and 2k or 5k fun run, taking place in London’s Hyde Park on Saturday 10 October 2026. Thousands of people of all abilities and ages will join the race to help beat childhood cancer by running, walking, wheeling or scooting their way to the finish line. It will be a fun-filled day of music, games, face painting, and much more.
How long is the charity fun run course?
If you’re taking part in RBC Race for the Kids, you can choose to take on 2k or 5k your way.
Can we enter RBC Race for the Kids as a team?
Yes, you can take part as a team or individually in RBC Race for the Kids. Entering as a team is a fun way to get involved. Why not get some friendly competition going? Kids go free, but please make sure that all children, including babies, are registered.
Who can take part in RBC Race for the Kids?
Our family festival and charity fun run is the perfect adventure for all ages and abilities. From babies in pushchairs to grandparents, wheelchair users and dog walkers, everyone is welcome to run, walk, wheel or scoot their way around the RBC Race for the Kids course.
You need to be 16 years or over on event day to register as an individual or a team. Children aged 15 or under must be registered by an adult taking part in the event, and they must have consent from their parent or guardian.
How much does RBC Race for the Kids cost?
Registration is covered by Whitbread, for all Whitbread employees, friends and families. RBC Race for the Kids is a fundraising event, so all participants are encouraged to raise over £100.
Do I need to register my child?
Yes, children of all ages (including babies) taking part in the event must be registered so we can send them a race number and wristband to enter their responsible adult's contact details. This is a health and safety requirement for them to be able to take part in the event.
Can I get a refund for my registration fee?
Registration fees are non-refundable.
If the event is delayed or cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, we will make every effort to reschedule. However, we cannot guarantee this will happen. No registration fees are refundable under these circumstances.
What time does RBC Race for the Kids start?
The RBC Race for the Kids event village opens at 8.30am. The first 5k wave sets off at 10am, the first 2k wave sets off at 11.50am. All the exciting entertainment will continue until 2pm.
How do you keep participants safe during this charity event?
We work with London Marathon Events (LME) to deliver the event. LME’s highly trained teams work alongside police officers, the emergency services and event organisers. LME’s teams include highly trained stewards and security dogs with experienced handlers who patrol the crowds. Please be assured the dogs are friendly – and welcome a pat!
Every steward on and around the route can communicate with the Event Control Room, where we work closely with the police and other emergency services via radio and other channels should they need support.
Will RBC Race for the Kids still go ahead if the weather conditions are bad?
Unless the forecast shows extreme weather conditions, this year's RBC Race for the Kids will still take place come rain or shine! We will ensure it is as accessible as possible and take all the necessary steps to ensure it is safe and enjoyable – whatever the weather. Please do dress appropriately; wearing layers under your race t-shirts if you think you will be cold. Water taps will be supplied to fill up your water bottles, as well as first aiders along the route to ensure the race is safe, accessible and enjoyable for all.
Can we bring our pet dogs?
Yes, your four-legged friends are very welcome to come along to RBC Race for the Kids!
What is the wheelchair and pushchair access at RBC Race for the Kids?
The RBC Race for the Kids route has been specially designed to be accessible to all and will take you through London’s iconic Hyde Park on its paved pathways. Please note that some of the post-race entertainment will take place on the grass areas of the park.
Are there any activities on the day after the charity fun run?
There will be plenty of free family friendly activities and entertainment on the day, including the Whitbread marquee, stage entertainment, face painting and more.
Will there be refreshments?
Refreshments will be available to purchase throughout the day at RBC Race for the Kids. Water will also be provided at the finish line.
Want to be more environmentally friendly? All water at the finish line is provided in cans, to avoid single-use plastic. But you can also play a part by bringing your own refillable water bottles. There will be water points within the festival village where you can refill your bottles.
Will there be first aid at RBC Race for the Kids?
Will there be changing or baggage facilities?
We will provide baggage storage for our participants in the festival village. Please note all items are left at the owner’s own risk.
There are no changing facilities so please come ready to race! Baby changing facilities are available in the accessible toilets.
Can children bring their bikes?
Unfortunately, bikes are not allowed. Scooters or balance bikes are fine, provided the rider is always accompanied by a parent or guardian. Any bikes that are needed for accessibility are also fine.
Motorised vehicles including e-scooters are not permitted.
Do I get a medal for completing RBC Race for the Kids?
Yes, as you cross the finish line, you’ll be given a wooden medal.
What way of completing the RBC Race for the Kids course should I choose?
When you register for RBC Race for the Kids, you'll be asked to select a way of completing the course for the charity fun run. This will correspond to which wave you are in on the day and the colour of your race number. If you want to take part with your friends, family or teammates, make sure you all select the same wave.
For the 5k:
If you select running, you'll be in the first wave.
If you select jogging, you'll be in the second wave.
If you select walking or wheelchair user, you'll be in the third or fourth wave.
For the 2k:
If you select running, you'll be in the fifth wave.
If you select jogging, you'll be in the sixth wave.
If you select walking or wheelchair user, you'll be in the seventh wave.
On the event day, you can switch to a later wave if needed, but not an earlier one. For example, if you have a 5k running race number, you'll be able to move to the jogging, walking or any of the 2k waves. However, if you have a 2k walking race number, you can't switch to the 2k running or jogging wave.
Race pack and t-shirt information
Can I get an official RBC Race for the Kids t-shirt?
As part of Team Whitbread, you can request an official RBC Race for the Kids t-shirt for this year's event. To prevent waste, if you would like to reuse your old RBC Race for the Kids t-shirt, please select 'no thanks I will reuse an old t-shirt' when signing up.
Can I wear my company or sponsor's t-shirt?
Yes. You might find that you'll be able to raise a lot more money if you wear your company's t-shirt or even fancy dress. If it helps to raise more funds, and it's safe to run in it, then please feel free.
My t-shirt doesn't fit, can I change the size?
If you would like to change your t-shirt size, please bring your unworn t-shirt to the Premier Inn & Restaurants marquee on the morning of the event where we will exchange it for a different size. Please note it will be very busy on event day so please allow extra time to do this.
Will my child receive a t-shirt?
Yes, all participants including children can have a t-shirt in their race pack. Please select the relevant t-shirt sizes at registration. Please note that our children's t-shirt sizes begin at age three to four.
My RBC Race for the Kids race pack hasn't arrived
We will be sending out the first wave of race packs at the end of August. Please do not worry if you have not yet received your race pack.
Fundraising information
Do I have to fundraise for charity?
We do not set any minimum fundraising targets, but we would love you to raise as much as you can for GOSH Charity. Your registration fee contributes towards the cost of holding the event, but by fundraising on top, you will be joining the race to help beat childhood cancer. We suggest working towards a £150 fundraising target.
Where will the money raised from RBC Race for the Kids 2026 go?
Cancer doesn’t care about childhood. It doesn’t care what seriously ill kids miss out on, like trips to the seaside or playing in the park with their friends.
But we do.
Despite great progress in treatments and cures, cancer is still the biggest killer of children aged one to 14 in the UK and around 1,900 children are diagnosed every year.*
At Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, we know that when cancer hits, childhood suffers. That's why we're building the new, world-leading Children's Cancer Centre at GOSH.
With cutting-edge facilities and an environment where pioneering research can thrive, this centre will be a beacon of hope for families facing the unimaginable. And because cancer shouldn’t get to steal anyone’s childhood, it will be more than a hospital building. It will be a school, a playground, a garden and a home-from-home.
Take on RBC Race for the Kids and join our team of doctors, builders, nurses, researchers and many more helping to build the Children's Cancer Centre – so we can give more kids with cancer the best chance and the best childhood possible.
Be part of it
Run, walk, wheel or scoot to help build the new Children’s Cancer Centre at GOSH and save more lives. Together, we can build it. Together, we can help beat childhood cancer.
*Source: Cancer Research UK
#RBCRacefortheKids
All the funds raised will go towards the development of cancer care at Great Ormond Street Hospital. In the event that costs change, or the needs of the hospital or patients change, we reserve the right to redirect funds for use against the hospital’s most urgent needs.
