Final 400 Places Available for Robin Hood Mini Marathon as Richard Whitehead Empowerment Award Returns with New Public Nomination Format
Wednesday 29th July 2026
Final 400 Places Available for Robin Hood Mini Marathon as Richard Whitehead Empowerment Award Returns with New Public Nomination Format
With just 400 places remaining, families are being encouraged to sign up now for the Robin Hood Mini Marathon, taking place on Sunday 27 September, before entries close.
The Mini Marathon is one of the highlights of the Robin Hood event weekend, giving children and young people of all abilities the chance to experience the excitement of race day, cross the official finish line and enjoy the unforgettable atmosphere alongside thousands of runners.
This year also sees the return of the Richard Whitehead Empowerment Award, now in its second year and introducing a new public nomination process to celebrate the inspiring stories emerging from the Mini Marathon.
First introduced at the 2025 Robin Hood Mini Marathon Schools Challenge Awards, the Richard Whitehead Empowerment Award honours a young person who embodies resilience, dedication and the spirit of possibility. The award recognises a Mini Marathon participant who has shown exceptional commitment and courage, reflecting the values championed by Richard Whitehead: empowerment, inclusion, never letting circumstances define your potential and embracing the joy of being active.
The inaugural recipient was George Osgood, aged six, whose outstanding determination and achievement perfectly captured the spirit of the award. His recognition highlighted the heart of the Mini Marathon, encouraging young people to discover their strength, build confidence and embrace the joy of movement.
Richard Whitehead MBE said:
The Robin Hood Mini Marathon has always been about giving young people a platform to discover their potential, and the Richard Whitehead Empowerment Award celebrates exactly that spirit.
This new award honours those who show exceptional courage, commitment and the values I champion throughout all of my work - empowerment, inclusion, never letting circumstances define your potential and embracing the joy of being active.
These young people remind us that sport isn’t just about finishing lines, it’s about confidence, connection and believing in what’s possible." Richard Whitehead MBE
Following this year's Mini Marathon, members of the public, participants and Robin Hood charity partners will all be invited to nominate a young person they believe deserves the Richard Whitehead Empowerment Award.
Nominations will open shortly after the event and remain open for one week, with details shared across the Robin Hood Half and Mini Marathon social media channels and directly with Mini Marathon participants. Richard Whitehead and the Robin Hood team will then review the nominations together before selecting this year's recipient.
With only 400 places now remaining, families are encouraged to secure their place as soon as possible and be part of an event that celebrates achievement, inclusion and the power of movement.
The Robin Hood Mini Marathon welcomes children of all abilities, providing a fun, supportive and inspiring event where every participant can achieve something to be proud of.
Entries are open now, but with only 400 places remaining, organisers expect the event to sell out soon.
