Once a hunting ground for Henry VIII, today Regent’s Park is a public playground featuring open fields, gardens, a running track, restrooms, cafés and the London Zoo. The paved paths through beautiful Regent’s Park are a great place for a flat tempo run but running up to beautiful Primrose Hill is a great option for a bit of altitude.
Running routes in the park
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There are several routes you can take depending on your fitness goals and whether you fancy a light or a hardcore run. You can take a short, light jog that would go across the Avenue Gardens (1.97km) on the Regent’s Park Tube station end of the park. There is also “the Hub” which is 1.35 km long and found in the middle of the park. Both options are great for warming up or kick start a running routine.
For intermediate runners, the Regent’s Park Outer Circle is a great place to start (4.45km). Equally you can run around the lake (2.81km), too.
Running enthusiasts who are after a challenging run, choose Primrose Hill (1.9km) to get your altitude in, then try the entire Regent’s Park run, 6.36 km that will surely satisfy your need for speed.
If you fancy jogging off-track, you can create your own running route at www.royalparks.org.uk/runningroutes and find advice on exercise and healthy eating here, too.
Running on the Outer Circle
If you want a straight running route where you will surely not get lost and confused which way to go, choose the outer circle of the park. The entire circle is 4.45 km long, but you can always run only a portion of it if you fancy a shorter run. The outer circle also gives you an opportunity to cycle it or take someone with you who cycles as cycling is not allowed within the park.
Regent’s Park running track
Regent’s Park running track on the north side of the park is a cinder surface with six lanes and it’s totally free. It is always open so turn up at any time to do your own circuits. For a structured session try a DASH Team London session on a Monday morning or evening. It’s a 30-minute run-based workout with drills for technique, sprints for speed, endurance intervals and core work.
How long is the Regent’s Park running track?
It is a quaint 423y (approx. 386.8 m) 1896 Olympics style cinder track with very long straights and extremely tight bends.
It was in existence by 1933 when it was reportedly 421y (385m) in length and the shape of it is due to the space available at the time. The reason for this 2 yard discrepancy is not known. The track is in good condition, but the surface is a bit uneven and the westerly end of the track appears to be slightly lower than the easterly one. The track is marked with 6 lanes in the summer, but it is only about 5.5 proper lanes in width. When the track is marked, there are 2 lines across the track approximately 13m apart about halfway down the straight nearest the Outer Circle road, which indicate the start and finish points for a 400m run.
Regents Park running track opening times
The track is open all the time although occasionally booked by schools in the summer. Track outside main park can be used outside of park opening hours, from 5 am to dusk.
Running events in Regent’s Park
BBC Running Club Regent’s Park 10K
The BBC Club Regent’s Park 10K race has been running since 1984 and is the oldest one in the park. For those who haven’t done it before, it’s 3 laps of Regent’s Park and is a very popular event that attracts runners of all abilities – you even get to run past the lions and camels (they are in the zoo).
Throughout the years, the BBC Running Club has ensured it maintains its friendly and low-key atmosphere where non-BBC runners are encouraged to enter as well. As a result, the event is always a sell-out.
The Regent’s Park: Royal Parks 10K Series
As London’s most popular 10K in a park setting, you’ll quickly see why more than 100,000 finishers have chosen the Regent’s Park with its beautiful landscape and great race atmosphere. Running alongside London Zoo, lucky runners will spot camels, giraffes or even some big cats, while other sections of the course take you past the tranquil boating lake, floral gardens and centuries-old statues and monuments. With the start / finish line situated next to The Hub – the park’s largest cafe and changing facility, and acres of open space for relaxing and recovering with friends, you’ll be able to make a great trip out to celebrate one of your fastest 10K times, recorded by timing chip on this official UK Athletics licensed and measured course.
Regent’s Park 5K and 10K
The flat nature of the course offers a great opportunity for a chip timed personal best! Included is a unique themed medal, chip timed results, free official race photographs, water, fruit & flapjacks. Each kilometre is accurately marked out with distance flags and there are plenty of helpers to keep you on track and to encourage you on your way to the finish.
Mornington Chasers’ Regent’s Park 10K
Regent’s Park is the perfect setting for a fast, flat and traffic-free Sunday morning 10k. The flat course covers an accurately measured 10k route within the park and attracts runners of all abilities. Beginners are most welcome. The race is chip timed and mostly flat with slight undulation. The race start and registration are at The Hub in Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RU (nearest entrance is Monkey Gate). The race is fully marshalled with kilometre markers, water station, toilets and baggage area. You can enter a single race or save money by buying a 3 or 6 race entry ticket.
The Regent’s Park 10K
The Regent’s Park 10k is an accurately measured 10k route around the scenic surroundings of London’s Regent’s Park. A run or a race – suitable for experienced runners and first-timers alike, using roads and footpaths. The race features chip timing and prizes will be awarded to the leading runners and age category winners. Finish line goodies and a bespoke medal will be on offer for every finisher plus a selection of finish line goodies. Souvenir technical t-shirts available to purchase.
Includes Children’s 800m Race and Adults 2 Mile Fun Run.
Charity Running Events in Regent’s Park
Race for Life Regent’s Park 10K
10k is a great step up from our 5k events, that’s still achievable for everyone. Join a Race for Life 10k event and help raise valuable funds for cancer-beating research. The Regent’s Park 10K Race for Life is a double lap course, starting and finishing on The Broadwalk. The course travels around the main carriageways of Regent’s Park and is all on pathways.
The closest Underground station is Regent’s Park Station on the Bakerloo line. The event site is around a 10 min walk from the station. Come out of the station and turn right along Marylebone Road.
Run Regent’s Park by Macmillan Cancer Support
Whether you’re running for the first time or wanting to smash that PB, Macmillan will be there for you every step of the way to help you get across that finishing line. The money you raise could go to a number of services they offer like, funding a Macmillan nurse for a day, to supporting an information centre where they provide practical and emotional support to those in need. So, what are you waiting for? Put on that green t-shirt, train, fundraise and join hundreds of Team Macmillan runners supporting those living with cancer.
Double Dash 5K
There’s no other running event like Double Dash – it’s not all about fitness, it’s about teamwork too. Inspired by blind and partially sighted people running with guides, choose a buddy and run joined at the wrist all the way to the finish line. Together we’ll smash the barriers around sight loss.
When you’re blind or partially sighted, safely going out for a run can be a real challenge. Most people overcome this barrier by running tethered at the wrist to a guide runner. It’s a simple and safe way to be able to get out and enjoy the highs that come from running. This is the inspiration behind Double Dash.
Running Clubs around Regents Park
City Running Club Regent’s Park
City Running Club North London meets twice a week for group running and training sessions in the beautiful surrounds of Regent’s Park. The Running Club located in central London is hosted by a qualified and professional running Coach and is designed to be challenging and fun no matter what your level of running experience. They meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6:30pm, for a one-hour session covering everything you need to improve your running style, technique, speed and stamina!
Serpentine Running Club
Serpentine is one of the largest running and triathlon clubs in Britain. They have 1420 members of whom 40% are women. They have a wide variation of ages: a few juniors, many young people, a few in their eighties and everything in-between. Their roots were in road running but these days their members take part in all sorts of sporting activities loosely related to running. They compete in road races all year round; then in the winter they also do cross country, taking part in two leagues, as well as in County and National Championships; and in the summer, they have men’s and women’s track & field teams in the Southern Athletics League, the Southern Vets League, and the Rosenheim League.
We Run
We Run deliver group running training to help 5k and 10k runners of all abilities to achieve their personal running goals. Whether it’s completing your very first 5k or setting an impressive new PB, their specially-designed 6-8 week running training programmes will provide you with the schedule, training and motivation to reach your targets.
The idea is simple; they organise small groups (max. 15 people) who are all training for the same event. If you haven’t got an event in mind yet, they can help you find one that’s right for you. Then, you and your group meet once a week in a local park to train with a professional trainer, who’ll develop a tailored running and training schedule to get you ready for race day.
Where to stay near Regent’s Park
Danubius Hotel Regent’s Park****
The Danubius Hotel Regents Park is a central London hotel with a difference. Located by three iconic London landmarks: Lord’s Cricket Ground, Regent’s Park, and the renowned Wellington Hospital. Situated in central London, we pride ourselves in offering a real home from home for business and leisure travellers alike.
Conveniently located a mere 10-minute walk from St John’s Wood and Baker Street tube stations, this four-star London hotel offers easy access to all the West End attractions.
The hotel is also situated near key railway stations: Marylebone, Paddington and King’s Cross St. Pancras with direct links to Heathrow Airport. Buses from our doorstep whisk you to Oxford Street within minutes. Whether you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime visit to London or have flown to the capital on business, our aim is to ensure your stay is truly memorable.
FAQ
Regent’s Park’s Outer Circle is 4.45 km long, but you can always run only a portion of it if you fancy a shorter run. The outer circle also gives you an opportunity to cycle it or take someone with you who cycles as cycling is not allowed within the park.
Regent’s Park is a great option for both shorter and longer runs. With its beautiful setting and convenient location (just minutes from Baker Street station) Regent’s Park must be everyone’s favourite location for city running.
Pedestrian gates into the park are open from 5am all year round. Closing time depends on the season, but usually closes at dusk. The park office is open daily from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm (excluding weekends).
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