Shake off the festive season and launch your running year with purpose at the Central Lancs New Year Half Marathon on Sunday, January 11, 2026, a perfectly timed, sell-out event limited to just 600 participants. This welcoming, community-focused race on the flat(ish) lanes near Lea Town offers a scenic tour of picturesque Lancashire countryside and villages, providing an ideal early-season test or a relaxed, social run with no time limit pressure. Organized by Fylde Coast Runners, the event is celebrated for its friendly, inclusive atmosphere, warmly inviting runners, power walkers, and Nordic walkers of all abilities to enjoy the fully signed and marshalled course. Your entry secures not just a place on a coveted start line, but also a hearty pre-race bacon butty, on-course hydration, and the promise of a hot drink and famous 'blingtastic' bespoke medal at the finish. With its no-fuss organization, emphasis on camaraderie over competition, and a cosy Race HQ hub, it transforms a January morning into a vibrant celebration of the running community. Secure your spot early for this perennially popular fixture, where the only thing better than burning off the mince pies is sharing the achievement with hundreds of fellow enthusiasts.
Races Offered
Half Marathon
Jan 11, 2026
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Distance —
21.1K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
-271 days remaining
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for January in Preston.
thermostatTemperature
1.7° / 7.0°
wb_sunnyFeels like
-3.3° / 2.7°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
3h 50m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
4.9 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
0.3 cm
air
Avg wind speed
15.8 km/h (Gentle breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
Low
terrain
Course conditions
Firm and slightly soft
sunny
Max UV Index
Low (1.4)
humidity_mid
Humidity
86.6%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
09:16
nightlight
Sunset
17:22
About Preston
Learn more about the host city, Preston.
Preston is a city in the county of Lancashire in North West England, with a population in 2021 of 148,000. It's a former textile and engineering town; it still makes aircraft, hosts the county local government, and has a university. It became a "city" in 2002 but this is purely ceremonial.