Hello Runners!
I hope you’ve had a wonderful break! If you’ve been away, you might have been pleasantly surprised– as I was– to find everything leafy, green and blooming when you returned to sunny London. It really makes me anticipate the great runs we have planned for the rest of the spring! The new Adventure Run we squeezed in just before break– to Finsbury Park via Alexandra Palace and the Parkland Walk– was a hit with those who could make it. Thanks to the Routes team for all their hard work, and to Tamar for the photos above.
Running this week. Monday is a bank holiday, so there is no official route, but our unofficial meet-up time/place is 8:30 at Barclays for whoever is in town and wants to run. Or check your pace group WhatsApp or e-mail to find running buddies and decide your route. Wednesday is our official return, and we are heading to the Benugo in St James Park, via Hyde Park. Come for coffee and a catchup if you have the time! On Friday we’ll run to Borough Market, which is (literally) always a treat.
Shout-outs and Announcements. Hopefully anyone who wanted to was able to get their order in for the special kit items Carol Bertolino and Marissa O’Malia organised for us. A big thank you to both of them for taking time out of their Spring Break to get that sorted and place the order for us!
SAVE THE DATE. We have some new “adventure runs” coming up this spring. These really fun routes require extra time to get trains out and/or back to our destinations. Mark your calendars now, and join us if you possibly can! As the end-of-year calendars fill, we also wanted to give you a heads-up on other favourite runs ahead.
Monday 29 April – Adventure Run – Richmond to Hampton Court Palace
Wednesday 8 May – Covent Garden
Friday 10 May – NEW Adventure Run – Dollis Hill to Hampstead
Monday 13 May – NEW Adventure Run – Windsor
Wednesday 22 May – Sights of London/Leaver’s Coffee
Friday 31 May – Borough Market
Monday 3 June – Brick Lane
Enjoy the rest of the holiday weekend, and Happy Easter and Happy Passover to all who celebrate! I honestly can’t wait to get back to running with you this week!
xx Micki
ROUTES
Monday 22 April – Easter Monday
Check your What’sApp groups and meet at 8:30 to choose a route.
Wednesday, 24 April — Hyde Park to Benugo Cafe in St James’s Park — 5 miles
Let’s gather at Benugo after running Hyde Park to swap April Break stories!
We start from Barclays, run down Circus Road and turn left on Grove End/Lisson Grove. Cross diagonally at the light to run along the west side of the street. Cross over Marylebone Road, onto Seymour Place, and run until the road ends. Turn right on Seymour Street, cross Edgware Road, and turn left at Stanhope Place where we will enter into Hyde Park.
Turn right at the silver sphere after entering Hyde Park. Cross over N Carriage Rd and turn left just after the Italian Gardens. Run along the Long Water/Serpentine, with the water to your left. At the end of the Serpentine bear right then left to run along the southern edge of the park. At Hyde Park Corner, cross the road to run through Wellington Arch and down Constitution Hill, along the southern edge of Green Park. Cross The Mall at the traffic light, enter directly into St James’s Park. Run down to the water and turn right, looping around the water until you come to the bridge on your left. Cross the bridge over the water and take a right, ending up at the Benugo Cafe.
Friday 26 April – Borough Market (6 miles)
We start by heading to Hyde Park via the usual route. Head west on Circus Road, turn left on Grove End Road. At the corner of St. John’s Wood Road and Grove End Road, cross diagonally at the light and continue south on Lisson Grove. Cross over Marylebone Road and continue south on Seymour Place until it tees into Seymour Street. 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. Bear left to run along the eastern edge of the park to Hyde Park Corner, under Wellington Arch and down Constitution Hill. Run past the Victoria Memorial, cross The Mall at the light and turn right at the grand wrought iron gates into St. James Park. Run over the pond and out of the park, turning left onto Birdcage Walk and down into Parliament Square to Big Ben. Continue past Big Ben and cross Westminster Bridge. After the bridge turn left down the stairs to run along the Thames until the river path ends after Southwark Bridge. Just past Southwark Bridge, head right and then a quick left to go into a short tunnel that puts you onto Clink Street. Make a right on Stoney Street to get to the market (and Monmouth Coffee!).
