If you've grown bored of treadmills or standard laps-of-the-local-common, perhaps it's time to mix up your run routine. To help you out, we enlisted the assistance of adidas Runners London captains James Poole and Claudi Schroegel, who used their insider knowledge of where the best places to run in London are to create some excellent new running routes.
Fancy a mid-run market stall browse? We've got it covered. Feel like taking your run out of the city? No problem. With routes that span the whole of London starting at 5k and going all the way up to 15k, there's a route for everyone. Each one packed with all sorts of sights to see and some super enticing pit-stops.
We've included links to the route on the Strava GPS app too, so you can track yourself and avoid any unplanned detours.
Make sure you check back to this post regularly because we'll be adding more routes over the next few months to keep things interesting.
Oh, and if you're in need of some new running shoes before you hit the road, why not treat yourself to a pair of the adidas UltraBOOST X?
Happy running!
Graffiti Art of Whitechapel
Length: 5.2k
Start/End: adidas Studio LDN, 152 Brick Lane
Best for: Seeing all the vibrant colour of East London in one go.
Don’t miss: Donald Trump! Always a popular figure in the street-artist world, graffiti art of the current US President appears about as regularly as it gets taken down, so keep an eye out and you might catch a glimpse (usually an unflattering one) of the 45th President.
Watch out for: Wilton’s Music Hall. A Grade II* listed building, the current owners not only saved it from demolition to preserve its cultural heritage but also transformed it into a performing arts centre and the home of killer cocktails. Worth a visit for some post-run hydration.
Playtime at the Barbican
Length: 5.6k
Start/End: adidas Studio LDN, 152 Brick Lane
Best for: Turning some of London’s most famous architecture into your playground and unlocking a hidden route in the heart of East London.
Don’t miss: The incredible palm trees which are dotted all over the site. They always take people by surprise and might just fool you into thinking you’re in Miami – for a split second.
Watch out for: The Barbican, of course. Offering an ever changing set of exhibitions – most of which are free – head in to indulge in some culture to unwind post-run, or even in the middle of it.
The Vicky Park Loop
Length: 6k
Start: Mile End Station
End: Pavilion Café
Best for: Weekend social runs with friends.
Don't miss: Pavilion Café where you can enjoy a post run flat white while you look out over the lake. Afterwards, pick up some artisan bread for a DIY at-home-brunch or, if you happen to go there on a weekday, they serve an amazing Sri Lankan breakfast.
Watch out for: Victoria Park cinder track which is located on the South East side of the park. Throw in a few laps of the track to mix up your run.
Market Mile
Length: 6k
Start/End: adidas Studio LDN, 152 Brick Lane
Best for: A stop-start route through the best marketplaces in East London.
Don’t miss: The markets, of course because the route has been designed for you to enjoy the market strips at your own pace. Give yourself a well-deserved breather to take in the independent market sellers before heading on to the next spot.
Watch out for: Vegetarian Scotch Eggs. Seriously. This oxymoronic treat from the north side of Broadway Market is not to be missed.
North London New River Path
Length: 9k
Start: Angel
End: Finsbury Park
Best for: Discovering parts of London you never knew existed. This route makes it way up to the New River Path. The river was completed in 1614 but was recently converted in to an ornamental garden that winds it’s way northwards. Follow the route towards Clissold Park and on to Stoke Newington Reservoir for a stunning easy run through the secret gated gardens.
Watch out for: Deer and goats. Not things you expect to find in deepest darkest North London, we know, but keep an eye out and you never know. There's a selection of birds in the animal enclosure and aviary at Clissold Park too.
Hampstead Heath Run
Length: 10k
Start/End: Gospel Oak Overground station
Best for: Stunning views of London from the top of Parliament Hill.
Don’t miss: Hampstead's famous swimming ponds. Pack your swimming costume if you fancy taking a dip.
Watch out for: Hampstead Pergola and Hill Gardens. Hidden away at the top end of the heath, this oasis of calm and tranquility has been in existence since 1904. A raised walkway, overgrown with vines and exotic flowers, leads to some wonderfully dramatic gardens. On a sunny spring day you'll feel like you've been transported into an episode of Downton Abbey.
Don’t forget: Trail shoes. In the summer months it's dusty and dry but it can get pretty muddy when it rains.
Greenwich Observatory Run
Length: 11k
Start: Millennium Bridge
End: Greenwich Observatory
Best for: Running along the Thames and appreciating the views of London.
Don’t miss: Views of Canary Wharf and East London from high up in Greenwich Park. If you time it just right and finish as it's getting dark you’ll even see the Meridian Laser which shines so bright it is visible with the naked eye at a distance of over 36 miles. Just make sure you check the park's opening times.
Watch out for: The Greenwich Foot tunnel which is one of only two foot tunnels (we don’t count the Rotherhithe tunnel) crossing the river Thames. Up the ante on your run by taking on the 100 steps at each end of the tunnel.
Putney, Wimbledon and Richmond Exploration
Length: 12k
Start: Putney East tube
End: Richmond
Best for: Escaping the city.
Don’t miss: That fresh countryside air! (Kind of). This route whisks you away from the big smoke meandering through Putney Heath, Wimbledon Common and finally Richmond Park where you stay off the more commonly used Tamsin trail and stick to the smaller prettier side trails. Treat yourself to lunch at The Marlborough pub on Richmond Hill and, if the weather is on your side, sit in the huge ‘secret’ garden.
Watch out for: The so-called ‘Alps’ on Wimbledon Common; these two small but steep hills will have your heart rate rocketing. Also keep your eyes peeled for the hundreds of deer that call Richmond Park their home.
Don’t forget: Your trail shoes. This one can get a bit muddy, so leave the new sneaks at home.
Royal Parks Run
Length 13.4k
Start: Great Portland Street tube
End: Westminster tube
Best for: exploring London’s Royal parks.
Don’t miss: The English Garden in Regents Park, Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, the Italian sunken gardens in Kensington Gardens and the famous St James’s Park Pelicans. This run has some many amazing sights you’ll wonder why you never did it before.
Watch out for: Kensington Park Gardens aka Billionaires’ row. This gated row of mansions is home to a large number of ambassadors or embassies. Test yourself and attempt to work out which embassies belong to which country (tip: swat up on your flags).
Regents Canal Long Run
Length: 15k
Start: Paddington
End: Limehouse DLR
Best for: The traffic-free long run.
Don’t miss: You know that long stretch of water? That's Regents Canal! Following London’s best-kept secret waterway, the route travels East from Paddington. Passing Maida Vale, Regents Park, Camden Lock and Victoria Park you'll get to enjoy a peaceful, largely uninterrupted run of almost 10 miles, perfect if you're training for a half or full marathon.
Watch out for: Cyclists and other runners. This is a shared used path and is narrow in places, especially at bridges where it can be single file only.
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