York Knavesmire Harriers are delighted to once again host the Brass Monkey Half Marathon. Here’s everything you need to know to enter it.
The ballot system
Because the event always sells out very quickly it has been decided to repeat the ballot entry process we used in 2025 instead of the mad dash for places in the queue.
Application for a ballot place (one place per person) can be made at any time between 06:00 on Monday 29th September and 21:59 on Friday 3rd October – there really is no need to rush!
You can enter the ballot here: https://resultsbase.net/event/7525/
Once the applications are in, a random draw will be made to select the lucky applicants and they will each be emailed a special link that they can use to enter the Brass Monkey. Again, there will be no need to rush to complete your entry purchase – the payment window will be open between 08:00 on Monday 6th October and . Provided you use the link in your email during this timeframe you’ll be guaranteed your place.
Those not lucky enough to secure a place will be emailed and, if people who have been offered a place don’t take it up, the organisers will reallocate these places to the next applicant from the random draw ballot. These emails will go out on Friday 10th October and you will have until 23:59 on Monday 13th October to accept and pay.
Whether you are a keen club runner, doing your first half, or just running for fun, this is the road race for you. A flat and fast course with 1,800 places available. Now in its 43rd year.
Follow the Brass Monkey Half Marathon Facebook page for the latest news/updates.
Race instructions and bib numbers will be posted out in advance to the athlete address you provide during registration. If you need to update this information after entry please see these instructions.
Location and facilities
The race is based at York Racecourse (Google map HERE), in the Ebor Stand (Postcode YO23 1EX). This is just over a mile from York city centre and the railway station. York Racecourse is signposted on all routes into the city. Please note that Bishopthorpe Road will be closed from 9:30 to allow final start line preparations.
There is seating available inside the Ebor stand (no dogs allowed, please), toilets, refreshments and the baggage drop.
Parking until 9:20am
Free parking is available at the racecourse – the nearest postcode to follow on your Sat Nav is YO23 1DE, what3words https://w3w.co/every.active.snows
We would encourage you to car share as much as possible, and if you are bringing a team bus then please contact us at brassmonkeyhalfmarathon@gmail.com
Please follow the signs and the directions of the marshals. If our car parks become full then please show consideration for local residents when parking. Please aim to be parked by 9:20am at the latest.
When you depart the car park you will only be able to turn left for the duration of the race.
Toilets
Toilets can be found in the Ebor Suite Race HQ, car park and by the finish of York Racecourse.
There are no toilets on the course.
Please ONLY use the toilets provided. Anybody caught relieving themselves outdoors will be disqualified.
Enquiry desk and information point
If you have any questions or require any advice, please visit our team on the ground floor of the Race HQ (Ebor Suite), open from 8am.
Baggage
Baggage can be left in the staffed baggage station, found on the 1st floor of the Ebor Suite. Please note that YKH cannot accept responsibility for any left baggage.
Changing areas
We have 2 changing areas in the ground floor of our Race HQ (Ebor Suite). No shower or wash facilities are available. Please do not leave any baggage here, and please be discreet and mindful of others when using these areas.
Road closures
Partial road closures will be in force along the route. If you have friends planning to support you on the day they should note the formal road closures which will be published on our website in due course.
Headphones
The use of bone conducting headphones will be permitted, but devices that go in the ear or cover the ear will not be allowed (unless medically prescribed)(see UKA rules). You must be able to hear and follow marshal instructions.
Pre-race warm up and start
Runners are not allowed to warm up on the public roads. Please use the racecourse cycle paths to warm up. Marshals will direct runners towards the start line before 10am, with the faster runners (1 hour 5 min) at the front of the pack. You will not be able to recover any clothing items left at the start as a thorough collection is made throughout the race and passed on to an appropriate charity organisation.
The course
The route is flat and fast, looping southwards from the York Racecourse. Please keep to the left throughout and obey all marshal instructions. There will be a lead vehicle with timing clock and a sweep vehicle with first aid. If you require assistance please contact any marshal.
Water stations
Three water stations are provided on the course and water will be available at the finish.
Discarded litter
Please drop your litter next to a marshal for collection. We will have a litter drop area at the water stations as well. Please do not drop litter anywhere else on our course or in the beautiful surrounding area. Carry your empty bottles or gel packets to the next available marshal or water point.
Wheelchair athletes
Please be mindful of space if you are near a chair athlete, especially on bends/corners as turning is more difficult.
Time limit of 2 hours 45 minutes
If you feel that you cannot finish within this time, please advise a marshal or the sweep vehicle. Transport will take you to the finish. All marshals will be withdrawn at 12.45pm, timing mats at 1pm, after which no times will be recorded. If you choose not to accept transport to the finish you will be on the road at your own risk and York Knavesmire Harriers cannot accept any responsibility for your safety.
At the finish
You will find water available as soon as you’ve crossed the finish line. To avoid congestion please keep moving along into the Finish Arena, where a chocolate treat and whatever memento you ordered will be waiting for you.
T-Shirts and mementos
In the finish area you will see t-shirts based on your ordered size and fit. You will be given the top originally ordered against your number. To ensure all competitors receive the top that they ordered, we will only be able to exchange t-shirts (depending on stock left) the day after race is over. Please email us if you would like to exchange, stating the size required, after the race. If your size is available, we will send instructions of how to facilitate the swap. If you didn’t order a t-shirt but change your mind, we can take card payments for any that are leftover once the race has finished. If you order a t-shirt on the day and we don’t have it in stock, there will be a package and postage charge. If you ordered any other race mementos, you will be able to collect these here too.
Results
This year prizes and places will be based on GUN time.
2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Prizes
Prizes are equal for men and women.
- 1st man and 1st woman: £150
- 2nd man and 2nd woman: £50
- 3rd man and 3rd woman: £30
- 1st in age category: £30
- 2nd in age category: £25
- 3rd in age category: £20
- Available categories: Open, V35, V40, V45, V50, V55, V60, V65, V70+
- 1st men’s team (three to count): £20 each
- 1st women’s team (three to count): £20 each
- New male or female course record: £150
In the event that a participant counts for multiple individual prizes, they will receive the highest value prize, and their other prize will be handed to the next person down in the standings.
Transfers/deferrals/refund policy
Person-to-person transfers of race entries are permitted but must be done following the process set out on the Transfers FAQ page. All online person-to-person transfers must have been completed by 23:59 on Sunday 7th December 2025. Transfers completed after this date will not be accepted, nor will edited name entries be accepted.
We understand that life can sometimes get in the way, so this year we will be allowing you the option to defer. If you secured your place through the ballot, or have a guaranteed place from a running club, then you can defer your place to the following year. You will still need to pay the entry fee next year to secure your deferred place, and we’ll email you with details of how to do this.
The safety of all runners is paramount. Weather conditions in January can be unpredictable. If cancellation is necessary, local radio stations will be informed as early as possible. We will also publish this information on the Brass Monkey Facebook page, the York Knavesmire Harriers website, and the York Knavesmire Harriers Facebook and Instagram pages. If you order a race memento it will be made available in exchange for your race number, and should be collected in person.
Unfortunately entry refunds will not be possible in the event of race cancellation (including COVID-related), as many of the race expenses will have been incurred. We will be able to defer your entry to the subsequent year’s event, and we will email you details of how to do this, but you would need to pay again.
Fees
UKA Affiliated club members: £28*
Non-affiliated runners: £30
Please note that all runners must be 18 or older on the day of the race.
An administration fee of 5% will be applied to each order by our online entry system partner, Results Base.
* Please note that your England Athletics/Welsh Athletics membership number will be checked during the registration process and if valid the appropriate discount will be applied. Scottish Athletics members can also obtain the discount by entering their membership number into the appropriate field at the same point in the registration process.
There will be no registrations on the day.
Enquiries
brassmonkeyhalfmarathon@gmail.com
Info
UK Athletics Road Race Licence has been applied for, the course is certified accurate by the Association of UK Course Measurers, and we have UK Athletics Gold Grade.
The course is suitable for wheelchair/frame athletes.