It was the Greater London Authority Act 1999 that established the London Assembly, the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority itself. Covering 610 square miles including the City of London, the 32 London Boroughs and largely the entire area inside the M25. London is home to 79 different parkruns. Completing them all confers the title of LonDone.
Born in London, educated here, married here. I live and work in London and I’ve run the London Marathon. I am a Londoner. Loving parkrun and parkrun tourism the LonDone challenge is like mecca for me 🙂
Marvellously, since first completing this challenge at Brooklands parkrun in December 2022 more parkruns have started, taking me to new parts of this incredible city. From Stockley Country parkrun in January 2023, Morden parkrun in June 2024 and now to Battersea Park for Battersea parkrun.
Backing onto the Thames, Battersea Park, in the London Borough of Wandsworth, was opened by Queen Victoria in 1858. This 200-acre park is built on reclaimed marshland from the Thames on what was previously called Battersea fields.
Designed by Sir James Pennethorne who designed Regents Park, Battersea Park has botanical gardens, boating lakes and a carriage drive now used for the course of the newest parkrun in London.
Next to the iconic and newly developed Battersea Power Station, Battersea Park has long been home to many running clubs and running events. The commencement of a parkrun has been highly anticipated. Their first event had 269 participants, their second attracted 1,117 and today, on a beautiful autumnal morning I lined up with 1,265 participants. Looking around there were people proudly wearing their milestone shirts of every colour, (violet, red, black, green and a few blue) by people in every age category. People of all shapes and sizes and a festival/celebratory vibe in the air. This is parkrun.
Gillian, who I’d last seen at Amagar Strandpark parkrun in Denmark, was today’s Run Director ensuring everything was in order. After the new runners welcome we walked about 1k, past the wonderful Victorian bandstand (which can be hired for ceremonies) to the newly positioned start.
To accommodate our numbers, Sasha, today’s tail walker, had a key to unlock and lower the barriers, installed to prevent Battersea Park from becoming a velodrome.
Using the original tree-lined concrete carriageways the course is a 2.5 anti-clockwise circular route. The fallen leaves created a blaze of colours which enhanced the magic of the occasion.
We met friends we hadn’t seen in ages swapping running tales. There were plenty of tourists and some here to reclaim their LonDone crowns.
With its wide carriageways, Battersea has become a home to runners, leisurely and fast with today’s first 20 finishers all under 17mins. I’m going to return to this event next year when I attempt to set a new personal best, this course has pb written all over it.
Battersea Park has lots to see and do. It’s home to a zoo, a Go Ape, a crazy golf course with a pizzeria and bar, walks and cafes. And of course there’s The London Peace Pagoda to see. You can make a day of just exploring the park.
The Battersea power station development offers an even richer array of brunching and shopping attractions. We elected instead to walk over to Vanstan Cafe in Fulham for a celebratory brunch for reclaiming our LonDone crowns.
Having been on tour for the last three weeks next week it’ll be time to return to my home parkrun, touring is great but there’s nothing like home.
Happy running
One is never too old to learn new words! Thanks for sharing!
Always such a good read! Really brought home the beauty and vibrancy of park runs.