Run the only race that takes you on a virtual adventure from the ocean surface to its deepest known depths.

Celebrate World Oceans Day on 8 June 2018 with a unique 10k early evening race in the beautiful setting of Hyde Park, London. Run to the Deep is an exclusive chip-timed event for up to 500 runners, organised by the British Science Association.

Race details:

• 10k distance, taking place at 18:30 hrs on 8 June at the Bandstand in Hyde Park

• Registration from 17:30

• An accompanying free app to participate in the virtual ocean exploration experience;

• Course: The course is all on tarmac or hard gravel pathway. The course is made up of two laps, is marshalled, signed with arrows and kilometre markers;

• Race number: available to collect at registration on the day;

• Bag drop, water station and toilets (20p required for toilets);

• Cash bar;

• Race ticket cost: £25, which includes the entrance fee, a themed medal and a goodie bag to take home;

• The cost of your ticket is a donation to the British Science Association, a registered charity (212479).

About the Run to the Deep app

For the full, immersive experience we are encouraging all runners with a smart phone to download the accompanying Run to the Deep app, which will be available to download for free on iOS and Android on 8 June. If you purchase a race ticket, we will send you instructions about how to access the app nearer the time.

The app, narrated by explorer Pierre-Yves Cousteau, takes you on a journey from the sea surface to the Marianas Trench – the deepest known part of the ocean – as you cover the 10k distance. The audio features alien creatures, amazing seascapes, and human exploration stories as you "descend" to the ocean floor.

Event Purpose

While the technological innovations of the 20th century have provided us with glimpses of the startling diversity and abundance of life in these mysterious and extreme environments, as a land-dwelling species, we all too often take our oceans for granted and are often unaware of the catastrophic impact humans are having on them. Ocean plastics are one of the most pressing issues, with 60% of our oceans being heavily contaminated with plastics, which has a negative effect on the wildlife living within the seas.

Run to the Deep aims to connect people with the ocean in an engaging, fun and light-touch way - by delivering entertaining and informative audio content as you run. We hope that runners will first and foremost enjoy the journey but be inspired to reduce their plastic consumption and find out more about ocean conservation projects that they can get involved with in the future.

“What are we going to do about 1.5 degrees rise in the temperature of the ocean over the next 10 years, I don't know. But we can actually do something about plastic right now." – Sir David Attenborough