London’s roads belong to the runners this weekend. In preparation we caught up with 4 runners that call London their home. From serious athletes to part-time park runners they all see running as one thing – a chance to clear their minds.
Fonzie Jones
A serious photographer and director, and he’s also seriously rapid, aiming to clock a finishing time of 2h50 on Sunday and do sweet FA on Monday (and the rest of the week).
He’s done the 16 weeks of training and is ready to take on 26.2 miles for the fourth time. We tried to keep up with him as he went for a morning ‘jog’ around North West London.
“The best view in London that I run past is probably the top of Hampstead Heath because you can see the whole city and it’s not full of people like Primrose Hill. It’s a nice view to have while you’re deep into your running.”
“I almost gave up running when I did my first marathon because the last 10k was just pure pain and agony, and it felt like it went on for about 10 years. While I was running, I was just looking at Big Ben and it wasn’t getting any closer. And yeah, I’ve never been in more pain, I don’t think so. Yeah, after that I thought, I’m never doing this again. Since then, I’ve completed 32 more marathons.”
Since then, I’ve completed 32 more marathons.”
Hannah da Silva
Being in nature is where Hannah feels most at home. The @gorpgirls founder flourishes in London’s beautiful scenery as we soaked up the sunshine around her local park, Hackney Marshes.
Hannah spoke to us about how running isn’t ALL about competitiveness – but how it can benefit your mental health. You don’t always need to aim for a PB or train long distance, but getting out of the house is the first step.
“My favourite person to run with in London is myself because I can’t focus and run with other people.“
“I know it’s going to be a good run when I have a good playlist on because that keeps me motivated.”
Tobi Areoye
Sick of only seeing each other at parties, @tobs180 and his boys George, Ants and Suhaib decided to change it up. They linked up at Tower Hill to hit their first 5k. It was a change that stuck. Running became a twice-weekly ritual. As they documented their runs and the crew organically grew, @panarunclub was born.
‘We’ve been to Paris, we’ve been to Kenya, we’ve run all over the world’, Tobi tells us as we raced him across the Thames.
“The best view in London hits different when I see Wembley Stadium in the distance because I know that’s near home. It’s my own reference to ‘alright cool you don’t have long left of your run’. When I see that arch I know I’m on my way home”
“My go-to route starts in Wembley Park because I’ve grown up there all my life. I have a 10k route that starts at mine, goes to my secondary school and back – almost feels like history lane. I basically follow the 223 route all the way way up to Kenton, it’s the route I used to take to and from school.”
Isla Loba
A running journey that began all of 2 months ago, @islaloba is warmed up and ready for the long run this weekend. Raising money for @blackwomenrisinguk she’s aiming to enter her flow state for a good cause.
Isla always keeps it local, starting her training run on home turf in Peckham and finishing with a well deserved sausage roll at London Bridge. We followed her route through South London.
“I started running in London to train for the race this weekend. However, after trying to run in Brazil in that insane climate, London is actually the best climate to run in. Rain, cold, spring, winter—anything over about 16 degrees is hell.”
“The toughest part of a run is the first 1-5ks. Because you haven’t reached flow state yet. All you’re thinking about is yourself running – you can hear yourself running. You haven’t zoned into your music or podcast, or zoned out of whatever nonsense is going on in your brain.”
The runners are all setting their own pace, whether it’s for the race today or catching a breath of fresh air.
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