Where to run in London: A Stratford guide
Here at IQL, we put health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do – which is why we chose Stratford, with its acres of green space in every direction, to be the home of our dynamic business neighbourhood. We even offer showers and drying rooms in certain buildings so you can stay fresh after a run or cycle.
So - wondering where to run in London? Looking for a new route that incorporates the East of the city’s rich cultural offerings? We think Stratford’s your place. From parks to river runs; shorter routes that you can smash on your lunch break, to challenging workouts – there’s something for everyone. Keep reading for all the details.
Starting off with a river run that takes in some of the cultural sights of Hackney Wicks canals, you can start off at Hackney Wick station. If your starting point is IQL itself, you can get to Hackney Wick station via a leisurely 1 mile walk or run through the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Once you get to the station, head West towards Victoria Park and its mature, manicured gardens. You can run the circumference of the park which comes in at 4.4km of flat terrain. You’ll also find a café for refreshments, toilets, and a rather picturesque lake at the centre.
Running back to Hackney Wick station will take you to a nice round 5k, while running this route from IQL will take you close to 7.5km. A perfect run for the end of the day, on a warm summer’s evening. Victoria Park opens at 7am and closes at sundown during the lighter months.
Perhaps the most popular of running routes in Stratford, QEOP offers curated green space, well-marked trails and of course the opportunity to run in acres of natural space.
You’ll find a variety of routes, marked in the park itself as well as 5k and 10k races happening throughout the year. Finding somewhere to run in London if you’re on a lunch break can be tricky. If you work or live at IQL, this is your go to place for a run before work, or in between meetings.
For more information about the routes and events available, read our article.
One of the quieter places to run in London, this route takes you along the footpaths of the River Lea, through the Hackney Marshes.
Starting at the CopperBox Arena, you can use the pathways in QEOP to follow the River Lea towards the Northeast of the park (follow signs for the Lea Valley Riding Centre or Lea Bridge Subway Station). Follow the paths along the river and you’ll find they get increasingly quieter and greener.
The beauty of this route is that it can be as long as you like, eventually culminating at the reservoirs beyond the Lea Rowing Club. For a slightly more challenging 12km run, follow the river path until Springfield Park, and double back on yourself.
You can always take the path at the other side of the river which will also take you back to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the Copper Box Arena. This run is particularly rural in parts and not lit at night, so one to keep for the daytime and lighter evenings.
If you’re a seasoned runner wondering where to run in London, in a more organised setting, London Stadium is a great option.
The London Marathon Community Track is home to the Newham and Essex Beagles and available for public use. An all-weather, six-lane Mondo 400m track that also features two 100-metre straights, floodlit track and field area, changing rooms, showers and toilets. You can enjoy use of the facility at the following times:
Every Tuesday: 16:30 – 18:30, 20:30 – 21:45
Every Thursday: 16:30 – 18:00
London Stadium was of course built for the 2012 London Olympic Games, so you’ll be enjoying a world class sporting facility for a very small fee of £2.40 per person, per track session.