Hi Everyone,
London summer has arrived! Friday was a glorious day to run to Borough Market. Hopefully the great weather will stick around for awhile.

This week we return to some of our old favourite routes to give our ex-beginners a chance to get familiar with them. Monday we’re going to Hyde Park and there are many options in terms of mileage. Wednesday we’re doing the Notting Hill route and Friday we’re back up the hill.

I’m looking at the calendar and it’s hard to believe we only have 5 more weeks of official routes before our summer holiday. I know this time of year is so busy, but try to give yourself a break from everyday stuff and schedule the time to run. We have some fun runs on the calendar, join us!

Save the Date
Mon May 16 – Sloane Square, Embankment, Westminster
Wed May 18 – Going to see the Queen (9:45 start) or Kensal Rise
Fri May 20 – Happening Bagel
Mon May 23 – Brick Lane – Beigel Bake
Wed May 25 – Sights of London and Leaver’s Coffee
Friday June 3 – Borough Market
Mon June 6 – Adventure Run (more details to follow) or Big Ben
Wed June 8 – Last official run of the year

Are you moving this summer?
If you’re moving this summer, or you have a good friend that is moving, can you let us know?  We want to make sure that we can properly recognise you at our Leavers Coffee on May 25. (We’ll miss you!)

Jury Duty!
I’ve been called for Jury Duty starting Monday. Ugh! I’m really hoping that my service is short and that I’ll be back running with you very soon. Remember to look out for each other, especially our ex-beginners.

Keep running,

Jane

ROUTES

Monday 9 May – Hyde Park (3 to 8 miles)

Click here for all of the Hyde Park interactive route maps

I think you all know this route by now.

Start:  Everybody starts the same way… head west on Circus Road, turn left on Grove End Road and follow south as it becomes Lisson Grove.  Cross over Marylebone Road and continue on Seymour Place until the end.  Turn right and cross over Edgware Road and then take the first left on Stanhope Place to enter Hyde Park at the intersection with Stanhope Place. Cross into the Park—you’ll see a silver orb just inside the Park.

3 Milers:  Continue south through Hyde Park, past the Serpentine and at the Carriage drive, make a left and head back toward Hyde ParkCorner.  Take the Hyde Park Corner tube home.

5 Milers:  At Hyde Park Corner continue back up/north on the carriage drive.  Exit the park at the Animals in War memorial and follow Upper Brook Street.  Turn left on Park Street which becomes Gloucester Place and then Park Road back to St. John’s Wood.

6 Milers: upon entering the park, turn right at the silver sphere and run until you meet N Carriage Road where you turn left.  Run down to the Serpentine, crossing over the bridge then left to run along the Serpentine. At the end of the Serpentine, turn left again and make your way to the eastern edge of the park before exiting at the Upper Brook St/Animals in War exit.  Continue along Upper Brook Street to Park Street, turn left, take it to Park Road and into SJW.

8 Milers: follow the 6 mile run but do not turn left at No Carriage Rd, instead cross over [this is tricky, be careful] and follow until you reach the large broadwalk where you turn left.  Run past Kensington Palace (on your right) and take a left to run along the southern edge of the parktowards Hyde Park Corner, then turn left on the eastern edge and exit at Upper Brook St/Animals in War exit as above.  Take Upper Brook Street to Park Street [left] to Park Road and home to SJW.

Wednesday 11 May – Notting Hill 4-6+miles

Keep your eyes open as this is often a celebrity spotting route!

Start out by heading west on Circus Road, turn left on Grove End to St John’s Wood Road and go west, working your way to the canal entrance on Blomfield.  Enter the canal and run to the Ladbroke Grove exit then run down Ladbroke Grove to Elgin Crescent and make a left.  Continue to Ledbury and go right and then left at Westbourne Grove.  Run down Westbourne Grove over Bishop’s Bridge and down the steps into Sheldon Square [across from Paddington Station].  Go back along the canal and out where you entered, then run back to Starbucks.

You also have the option of a shorter run by not getting off the canal. Run half the distance you want, turn around and head home. As a rule of thumb, the two mile mark is the Westway overpass.

Friday 13 May – The Heath (4-8 miles)
We run up the hill on Fridays–it’s tradition!

5 miles: The Betsy Route
6-7miles:  The partial Heath route
7.5 miles: The Highgate route
8 miles:  The full Heath route

Click here for maps of all of the Heath routes.