The popular event on Parliament Hill went on hiatus in 2025 and will not take place again this year before hopefully returning in 2027.
Organizers of the night of 10,000m PBs say their event will no longer be running this summer, but they want to return next year.
“10,000m PB Night aims to flourish again,” organizers said on Wednesday (February 11), “and when it does, we fully intend for it to be as loud, as funny and as brilliant as ever.”
The 10,000m running festival on Parliament Hill in north London was first held in 2014 and became hugely popular, but it was canceled in 2020-21 due to the Covid pandemic, during which time Birmingham acted as an Olympic trial, and then took an extra break in 2025 to give their army of volunteers.
Despite promising a return in 2026, Ben Pocci and his team at Highgate Harriers say the event will now not take place this season, but they will be looking forward to returning in 2027.
At a time when the 10,000m was considered rather unglamorous, after humble beginnings, the night of 10,000m PBs eventually grew to attract thousands of spectators, many of whom sat on the grass bank overlooking the track, or stood by the track and roared at the runners at close range. With alcohol, music and circus performers, it became an extremely enjoyable event and the athletes enjoyed the rich atmosphere.
Aside from the 10,000m races, it grew to include shorter distance races for young athletes and even the prestigious Emsley Carr Mile.
However, there have been recent reports of disharmony over sponsorship and concerns that the event has become “too big”, with fans sometimes complaining of not being able to see the race due to the large number of tents and infrastructure on the course.
“There is a plant in nature known as the Resurrection Lily. It does not bloom every year. In some seasons, it just sits underground and minds its own business, gathers energy, refuses to rush, and probably ignores motivational quotes online. Then, when the right moment comes back to life, it’s like nothing happened.
“We decided to take a leaf out of the Resurrection Lily book and made a decision that night.
10,000 million PBs will not happen in 2026.
“This event has always been a bit of an incredible miracle. elite athletes run very fast
while thousands of people cheer to an Afro Beat track, cowbells ring
a heated and noisy debate over whether it is acceptable to eat a goat eaten on a bridge over a house
directly Over a decade it has grown from a bold idea to a community celebration of our sport.
“It takes a small army to deliver a night of 10,000m PBs to the standard everyone expects.
with the people, heroic numbers of volunteers and organizational energy usually associated
launch of a space mission. Rather than putting in a full, noisy version,
chaotic, glorious experience, we feel it’s best to stop again to regroup.
“So 2026 is going to be another year of sensible shoes, early nights and administrative restructuring. To be clear.
it’s not the end, it’s not goodbye, and hopefully 2027 will see it flourish once again.
“Like a resurrection lily, a night of 10,000m PBs aims to bloom again. And when it blooms, we fully
intended to be as loud, as funny, and as brilliant as ever. Thank you for yours
understanding, your support and keeping the cowbells safe until further notice.”
