Despite having run my way around the capital fairly regularly since around 2008 when I got a place in the London Marathon and realised I needed to up my game, I still hesitate to call myself a runner! Calling yourself a runner always conjures up images of gazelle like specimens trotting their way through parks looking as if they don’t have a care in the world. I can absolutely guarantee I do not look like this. Red faced, a bit puffed out and lumbering rather than trotting is more my style. And yet I continue to do it and even look forward to it. ( I write this after a wet and muddy 5km along a chilly canal this morning!).
I love running when I’m away and always make sure I pack my trainers and sports bra (always best to be prepared) but it is London I always come back to and London where I have had some of my most memorable and satisfying runs.
Why Run in London?
Its a great way to discover the beautiful city. I love finding new parts of London, taking myself to different places or areas, and exploring unknown streets and parks. Running is a great way of doing this. The distance covered during even a half hour run is surprising.
Its also a great way of discovering your own neighbourhood. The easiest way to run is by stepping out side your front door and setting off. If you live in London, chances are you have many different streets and areas to be explored just moments away. I have really got to know the area I live much better since running all around it. I know where the hilly streets are. I know how long it will take me to get to The Thames and where the muddiest sections are likely to be. I know how to seek the shadier streets in summer and the more well lit streets in winter. I have discovered secret gardens and unknown churches an allotments simply by leaving my house in my trainers!
I love to find the quieter sides of London and running is a good way of doing that. Running through piccadilly circus or covent garden during the day when its busy wouldn’t be fun, but as always if you veer a little bit away from the main drag, things can become much more interesting
Where to Run in London ?
There are so many gorgeous places to run in London that don’t have to include pounding the pavements and avoiding the crowds.
The River Thames
The Thames is long and varied and mostly easy to access, and can provide lots of kilometers of pretty shores, and views of elegant buildings. There is lovely stretch from Chiswick all the way to Richmond which I have run in various forms lots of times. I especially like the gravelly, tree lined paths that take you all the way along the back of Kew gardens. Its a lovely peek into and less well known view of the gardens.
The joy of The Thames is that you can choose to run along it in Central London or a little further out. Which ever you decide, there will plenty to see as you tick of the kilometers.
Richmond Park
Richmond Park is a favourite of walkers, cyclists and runners. It has the ‘advantage’ of being a bit hilly, if you need some hill training. It also has lots of different trails through the woods and fields with the bonus of seeing a few deer along the way. The most famous trail is the Tamsin Trail, a long perimeter trail on which to really stretch the legs. It is 11.7km or 7.25miles so a good distance for some half marathon training. I have yet to try it but have vowed to do so next year.
The Canals
I run along the canal quite often, near to where I live and really enjoy it. The paths become a bit wet at this time of year, but they are well marked and flat. Both good things as far as I’m concerned. I’m not known for my sense of direction and so quite like the lack of map reading skills required in going up and down a canal. There are tow paths in east london which take you from Lime house to Broadway market. In West London the stretch from Paddington towards Regents park is gorgeous.
Regents Park
Regents Park has Primrose Hill for a big intense hill climb with fabulous views at the top. I have never run this, another goal for next year perhaps; but have walked it watching other runners pound to the top. There are also 5km of running tracks set in beautiful parkland to explore. This has the added bonus of a sports facility with showers and toilets for when you finish.
Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens
I am especially fond of running in these parks. My favourite run, The Royal Parks Half Marathon starts and ends in Hyde Park and I have lots of good memories from running this. The joy of Hyde Park is that it is huge, which makes it very easy to run quite a long way without leaving the park. I have on more than one occasion found myself totally disorientated when taking unknown paths and ended up on completely the opposite side of the park to the one I imagined I was on. This is great when you have lots of energy, obviously not so great when the legs and lungs are flagging. It is however my favourite place to run after work on a summers evening.
Vauxhall to Buckingham Palace via Horse Guards Parade Green Park and St James Park
This is a fabulous run with lots of iconic sights to take in along the way, and one I regularly enjoyed when I worked in Vauxhall. The excitement of running up the mall towards Buckingham palace is hard to beat. This is a great run to do early in the day before the tourists arrive. A skip along the Thames, a hop over Westminster Bridge, and a quick whizz through horse guards parade and then a loop through Green Park and St James Park is an excellent start to any day.
How?
Go early and take in the sights without the crowds!
Early runs are definitely best, especially if you are running though the streets or more crowded touristy areas. It is the best way to see the sights, and have a little bit of London to yourself. There is something so exciting about scooting through iconic landmarks on your own two feet before everyone else has got there. I always feel I own the city when I do this
To and from work
I find running home from work is another good way of running in London. It avoids public transport, which although I’m not adverse to, is good to do on occasion. Its an excellent way of getting work out of your system, and if you can find a scenic route, then all the better. It is an excellent way of building some exercise into a long working day in London without it imposing too much on daily life.
In a group, on your own, or Parkrun
I am quite a solitary runner and enjoy the peace of running solo. With so many safe places to run in London this is relatively easy. Although, running seems to have taken off in such a big way lately that there are few places you will run in London without encountering at least one other runner.
There are loads of running clubs and organised runs in London that it takes very little time on a search engine to find others to run with. And of course there is Parkrun, which by now almost everyone has heard of. These are the free, organised 5km runs which take place every Saturday at 9am. They are now international so you can find them almost anywhere. But if you are in London there are so many to choose from in many of London’s loveliest parks and natural areas. Go to the parkrun website to find one near you.
And, If you need any more persuasion that running in London can be fun then have a look at my other musings.