We have a love/hate relationship with the Regents Canal. It offers long stretches with no traffic lights, which is great for race training. On the other hand, it offers long stretches with no traffic lights, which equals no breaks. You also have the issue of bikers and pedestrians all fighting for the slim sidewalk space. We have had a couple of instances where our runners had an unexpected swim, so keep to the side away from the canal whenever possible. And it is helpful to yell “BIKE” as a warning to those behind you. But remember that all of us – bikers, runners and walkers – have a right to the canal so we should always be respectful.
The routes in the section all start on the Canal heading east towards Camden.
Camden/Mornington Crescent (5 miles)
Head to the canal going eastbound to Camden Lock, where we cross the small, cobblestone bridge, exit the canal and turn right onto Camden High Street (alternatively, turn right just at the bottom of the bridge and go through the opening between the buildings to get to Arlington Road). At the first intersection with Jamestown Road take a right after crossing Jamestown Road and then the first left onto Arlington Road. Run straight down Arlington Road, make a slight right onto Mornington Crescent, follow it around and turn right onto Hampstead Road. At the first intersection, turn right onto Granby Terrace and the second left onto Stanhope Street. Continue down Stanhope until we reach Trinton Square. Turn right and run between the office buildings at Regent’s Place, past the nice fountains, to the end of Trinton Street. Use the pedestrian crossings to cross Osnaburgh Street and Albany Street. Head left to the intersection of Euston Road, where you take a right and run briefly along Euston Road. At Park Square East, turn right through the gates towards Regent’s Park. We enter the park at the Outer Circle intersection and stay on the path on the far right (east side) of the park, cross the Broad Walk at the ornamental fountain and head along the path with the Zoo to our right. Turn left onto the Outer Circle, past the Avenue Road exit, and right at the second exit (where we usually enter for the canal or park). Run up Charlbert Street to St John’s Wood Terrace, make a left, and head back to Starbucks.
The Wall (3 – 6 miles)
6 Milers: Run South on Finchley/Wellington Road to the SJW Church Roundabout, follow the sidewalk to the left and cross Prince Albert Road at the crosswalk just beyond the SJW Church. Continue east and enter the canal at the Charlbert entrance. Run east [left], cutting through the Camden Lock Market until you run out of canal path at Islington. Touch the canal boat tunnel wall—this is The Wall!—then turn around and re-trace your steps back to SJW. When you come of the canal at Regents Park, take Charlbert to Allitsen to SJW High Street to Starbucks.
3 Milers: Start as above but when you reach the Camden Lock Market, turn around and head home.
Notes: This is a great time to do a faster ‘tempo’ run. Be very aware of bicyclists who commute on this canal path. Move into single file lines whenever someone yells out ‘bike!’
Canary Wharf (9+ miles)
Section One – Canal to the Wall
The route starts out as the Wall. Run along Prince Albert Road to join the canal at Charlbert Street. Run along the canal for approximately 3 miles until the canal pathway ends at the famous “Wall.”
Section Two – Angel Roads
We need to run through the Angel neighbourhood until we can 
re-enter the canal path. At the wall follow the ramp up to Muriel Street. (This is a good place to wait for your pace group.) Take a right and then an almost immediate left up a path that winds between the apartment buildings. See the picture for the entrance to the path.
Keep going straight on the path and it will become Maygood Street. When you get to the intersection of a main road (Barnsbury Road) turn right. Run until you make the second left onto Chapel Market. (There is a metal archway saying Chapel Market and a zebra crossing at the intersection.) Follow Chapel Market until the end. (NB: There is a public Ladies Room at the end of White Conduit Street, which intersects with Chapel Market about midway.) Turn right at Liverpool Street to the major road Upper Street. Cross Upper Street and turn left. (NB: Angel Tube Station is to your right if you are going home from here.) Make your first right at Duncan Street and follow until the end. The entrance to the canal path will be directly in front of you. Go straight along the canal (NOT a sharp right turn.)
Section Three – Canal to Limehouse Basin
We run for about 4 miles following the canal path past Victoria Park to the Limehouse Basin. We exit the canal path at the wire looking bridge – see picture – and take the brown brick steps up to the left.
Section Four – Limehouse Basin to Canary Wharf
At the top of the brick steps, go straight. At the Limehouse Gallery and Bronze Age shop turn 
right. Run along the water until you reach the second metal foot-bridge leading to a park. Cross the bridge and run through the park. After the park, you’ll run straight, under an arch and the water will be on your right. Run with the water on your right until you see the long flight of steps next to Royal China – see picture. You’re almost there! Only a third of a mile remaining!
Run up the steps and straight ahead, through the small park to India Drive and then veer slightly right along Cabot Square. You’re heading for the big skyscraper building in front of you. Stop when you see the sign for the Canary Wharf DLR Station at the ‘mall’ entrance on the South Colonnade. We’ll meet at the Starbucks inside the building, just right of the entrance. After a much earned coffee, we’ll head to the Canary Wharf Tube station [Jubilee Line] and tube it home to SJW. Congratulations!