RACE DAY

Is there a surer bet out there than the Hackney Moves weekend being an absolute scorcher? If you’d laid that bet this year, you’d have been quids in once again, with the Sunday of Hackney Half bringing with it the hottest day of the year so far - a temperature more than matched by the energy out on the streets.

We were ready and waiting at the Runlimited cheerzone outside Mare Street Market as the runners started to come through. First to round the bottom of London Fields on Westgate Street are the SOAR clad pair of Freddie Hessian and Jonathan Escalante-Phillips. The eventual winners are running in lockstep here, and continue in tandem to the finish, crossing the line together in a rapid 68 minutes.

The elites continue past in ones and twos. We spot Yvie Lock, the eventual women’s winner, looking strong at mile 9. Holly Archer and Anna Ferrello also roll through, completing the women’s podium. A speedy chef - Jonah Lytle - en route to a 1:13:48, apron clad with wooden spoon in hand.

And then rest. At first a trickle, then a stream, then a cascade of bodies, coursing past us. Some suffering in the heat, others with eyes only for the finish, others still soaking up every drop of atmosphere and giving more back to the crowds. 

Co-founder Molly runs by, arms outstretched, gliding in some Hoka Cielo X1’s, a huge smile on her face as she paces a friend around the course.

Voodoo Brass Band fires out tune after tune as groups of runners flow past, and we see frowns crack to smiles, and existing smiles stretch wider. Tune after tune has people stopping to dance, or reach out to high five, as Jonty, on the megaphone, exhorts them onwards.

We catch Esmée Gummer with her friends, one of who is running on her birthday. Seamlessly Voodoo Brass Band slides into a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday, and after a little dance and a lot of hugs, they’re on their way, powering on towards the finish line.

Metres down the road a DJ is dropping 90s classics and we see a runner stop to dance, waiting for the drop before continuing on to cheers and bursting confetti canons. It’s a day out like few others in London and, from first runner to last, we were happy to have been a small part of it. 

An hour or two after that first pair come running by, we see another first - the first finishers coming back through the doors of the Runlimited pop-up, medals around their neck, to celebrate their success with us at the Hoka x Runlimited after party. With thanks to drinks partners Lucky Saint and East London Liquour Company, we’re able to offer medal holders a celebratory drink and pizza before partying into the night.

SHAKEOUT

Roll back 24 hours, and runners are back at Mare Street Market, congregating in the Runlimited pop-up space for our shakeout run hosted by Midnight Runners and Camino Ultra. After a techno-infused warmup from the crew leaders, we’re off. For most, it’s a tried and trusted loop this morning - one lap of Victoria park and then back home for some Flying Horse coffee. Just what the physio ordered! An intrepid few (mainly those not running the half on Sunday) continue on with Dave from Camino, for a gorgeous extra 10.

It’s a busy morning for shakeouts in Hackney. Between Runlimited, Midnight Runners, Your Friendly Runners, Puresport and other individuals there must be a thousand runners lapping Victoria Park. It’s a beautiful sight to see and a testament to just how successful the Hackney Moves weekend has been at engaging people in this sport.

With the shakeout done, the Runlimited x Hackney Deli is open for business, and remains so throughout the weekend, showcasing the very best of the Hoka shoe range. Our Hackney Deli tees fly out the fridge as people trickle through the deli to say hello and pick up their copy of the Runlimited newspaper.