Running in Southwark

Exercise for free anytime, anywhere

Running or jogging is a great low cost way to get fit. You can do it on your own or with friends in many different locations around Southwark.

This page gives you information about running in Southwark, planning routes and the possibilities of starting or joining a local running group or club.

General information

Running or jogging is a great way to get fit. You can go at your own pace and progress to longer or faster runs as you get fitter. As well as running on the street you can make use of local parks.

If you want to plan a route you can use websites like Map My Run to work out the distance.

Training programmes

To help you out with planning training sessions and help you improve, you can contact us for a training plan. Plans can also be found by searching on the internet.

Local running events

Once you are up and running why not pick a local event to give you a target. There are lots of events on Runners World and lots of charity events for organisations like Cancer Research. There are also women only events like Race for Life that can be a nice introduction if you have never taken part in anything like it before.

Run in England

To help boost running in England a new organisation has been set up called Run in England. They aim to provide everyone with an opportunity to get active and begin running for fun and fitness. They can support new groups to set up and provide training for people interested in being a group leader.

Southwark Council hope to work with Run in England to set up running groups in Southwark. If you would be interested in training as a volunteer leader please get in touch. Likewise, if you would be interested in joining a group in your local area let us know and we can get back to you if a group is set up. It will also help us to plan where runs are based.

See the Run in England website for more information about the training and support they offer..

Clubs and existing groups

If you would like to run in a more structured environment you can join a club.

City Runners - meet on Bermondsey Street, not far from London Bridge Station and Tower Bridge, free of charge

Dulwich Runners - suggest you can run for 30 minutes before you join.

Dulwich Park Runners - run beginners sessions thats you can sign up for.

Active Healthy Minds - free exercise sessions in local parks including Southwark Park, Peckham Rye Park and soon Burgess Park.

parkrun - organise free weekly 5k times runs, nearest to Southwark are Brockwell Park, Crystal Palace Park and Wimbledon Common.

Outdoor gyms

There are now six outdoor gyms in Southwark. In Peckham Rye Park, Lordship Lane Estate, Aylesbury Estate, Haddon Hall Estate, Dulwich Park and Mint Street Park. They are free and open to be used by anyone. Why not go and try them out. Each piece of equipment has a sign telling you how to use it and how much you should do if you are a beginner, intermediate or advance.

For more information about each gym and a guide to using it visit outdoor gyms.