This Sunday, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will transform into a spectacle of runners, supporters, and stories. But the RunThrough Foundation 10K is more than just another event on the UK’s running calendar; it’s a bold and beautiful redefinition of community, visibility, resilience, and joy.

Built on the belief that running should be for everyone, this race is about access and atmosphere, not ego or elitism. From first-time runners to seasoned pacers, the energy already brewing ahead of race day is electric.

At the centre of this buzz are community leaders like Eric, founder of Keeping It Moving, a running collective that defies every stereotype about what a running crew looks like.

“My first ever race was actually with RunThrough back in 2017, Clapham Common 10K,” Eric recalls. “Since then, I’ve done so many of their events and become their course entertainer and MC. I keep coming back because of the family feel, the way the team, volunteers, and runners all make you feel so welcome. It’s not just a race. It’s a community.”

Eric’s crew is virtual and local, diverse and dynamic, with runners of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities.

“We’ve got wheelchair athletes, people from different religions, colours, and walks of life. Sometimes all someone needs is a little motivation to believe they can do it. We lead with joy, not pressure. Smiles while doing miles.”

That spirit of representation and joy is shared by Tasha Thompson, founder of Black Girls Do Run UK, a group that will be making a powerful, visible statement on Sunday.

“As soon as I saw this race, I thought, we have to be there,” Tasha says. 
“RunThrough has always been part of the UK running scene, but this 10K felt different. It was created for the community.”

For Tasha, representation is about more than being seen.

“It’s emotional. It’s powerful. Because you can’t be what you can’t see. When a group of Black women shows up strong, smiling, and running together, it tells everyone watching that they belong too.”

That sense of belonging is exactly what the RunThrough Foundation was created to cultivate. Founded by Matt Wood, the Foundation works to break down the biggest barriers in running, especially cost.

“Affordability is still a massive obstacle,” Matt explains. “That’s why we made this event completely free. We want people to say, ‘Okay, I’ll give this a try,’ even if they’ve never run before. And then we create an environment where they feel welcomed, supported, and proud.”

And while the anticipation is building among this year’s runners, past participants like Myriam are cheering them on from the sidelines with a story that continues to inspire.

Myriam has used running to help manage anxiety and depression for years. But in 2023, everything changed.

“I’d just turned 50 and was hit with menopause hard. I was bedridden at one point, in so much pain. Eventually, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right knee and hip. I was told I might never run again.”

But she didn’t accept that. With the help of a physio, acupuncture, cross-training, and sheer determination, she slowly worked her way back. Four months later, she was jogging on a treadmill. Six months in, she was outside again—running.

“Racing gave me something to aim for. It helped keep me consistent. But it also proved to me that I could still move forward, even when my body felt broken.”

Since July 2024, she’s been participating in monthly races and is now training toward her first half-marathon.

“Running frees my mind. It’s part of my lifestyle now. It helps me keep my mental health in check, no antidepressants, just movement and community. I’ve met amazing people through races. The connections you make are real.”

And that’s exactly what Sunday promises: real connection, infectious joy, and a redefinition of what running looks and feels like in 2025.

With high-fives, big energy, music, movement, and a sea of representation, the RunThrough Foundation 10K is shaping up to be a landmark moment in the UK running scene. Creating a space where everyone is welcome, no one is left behind, and the finish line is just the beginning.

The RunThrough Foundation 10K will be coming to the iconic Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Sunday, 3rd August 2025.

🗓️ Date: Sunday, 3rd August, 2025
🕘 Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
📍 Location: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London E20 2ST, UK

Whether you’re a seasoned runner or just lacing up for the first time, this is your chance to be part of a race where purpose leads the way.