Engineers shape the world we live in.
You can help protect them through life's toughest moments.
Turn your race into meaningful support for engineers and their families. We'll help you every step of the way:
Support with your entry
A Foothold running top
Fundraising guidance
Training advice
Support on race day
Why run for Foothold?
Running a half marathon is an amazing achievement. Running for Foothold gives every mile a purpose.
For more than 130 years, we’ve supported engineers and their families through illness, financial hardship, caring responsibilities and major life changes.
What your fundraising achieves
Each pound you raise becomes a lifeline. Your fundraising helps us to:
- Keep food on the table for a family in crisis
- Give practical advice during life's toughest challenges
- Offer wellbeing support for people facing illness
- Fund neurodiversity assessments to support engineers in work and study
Every step you take helps an engineer to take their next one.
You’re not just completing a race. You’re standing beside people who keep our world connected, powered and safe.
Event details
- Event: Reading Half Marathon 2026
- Date: Sunday 22 March 2026
- Location: Reading town centre
- Distance: 13.1 miles
Run through Reading town centre with a scenic course, typically starting near Forbury Gardens and finishing back in the town centre, taking in local landmarks and riverside stretches.
How every pound you raise helps engineers
Your fundraising can provide:
- Grants to keep a roof over a family's head while they get back on their feet.
- Support to help someone cope with illness, disability, or a sudden change in circumstances.
- Financial advice for a family facing growing bills, reduced income or unexpected costs.
- Specialist neurodiversity support for engineers struggling in their studies or career.
"In these worrying times we’re all facing, it’s easy to become consumed by anxiety, but Foothold gave me light and I’m so very grateful for that."
Adam
“Foothold have been a godsend to our family. The grey clouds are still around us, but Foothold have been a constant ray of sunshine in the darkness, reaching out to us and giving us some hope. I hate to think about where we’d be without them.”
Pauline
"Foothold’s support has meant that I do still have a life to live. I hate to think about what would have happened had they not been there for us. It’s enabled me to focus on being the best dad that I can be."
John
When you run for Foothold, your training miles and race day effort become a lifeline.
Ready to run with purpose?
Fill in the form below to apply for a charity place.
Tell us why you want to run for the engineering community, and we'll guide you through the next steps.
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