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Wormwood Scrubs Parkrun

Be inspired as you run along trail carved out by the 1908 Olympic marathon.

Trail Running Easy

Distance
2.4 km
Ascent
12 m
Descent
12 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
15 m
High Point
25 m
Gradient
Wormwood Scrubs Parkrun Map

Two hundred acres of green, open space lies in the northeastern corner of London, known to locals as “the scrubs.” During the 1908 Olympic marathon, the course ran through these scrubs before finishing in the Olympic city.

Description

Imagine as you run over the course, the final push of the marathoners during the Olympics. Italian, Dorando Pietri came into the finishers straight and collapsed before the finish line, having to be resuscitated by onlookers while American, Johnny Hayes, was the first to finish without assistance in a time of 2:55:18. The race captured the public’s imagination, and from here, the marathon became regarded as the ultimate sporting challenge.

Over grassy and scrubland trails, the course runs north until the border, where it veers left and travels back along the edge of the park beside Wormwood Scrubs prison – a brief home for Rolling Stones' Keith Richards.

Adjacent to the prison is Hammersmith hospital and the starting point for the trail. You’ll find plenty of parking here. Alternatively, if you take the tube, leave a few minutes for the walk from East Acton station on the Central Line. You can also get there by bus to Scrubs Lane or Du Cane Road.

Wormwood Scrubs parkrun is a free timed event held weekly on Saturdays at 9am. Whether you’re looking for a race against the clock or just a leisurely social jog, this smaller parkrun has a welcoming atmosphere to make it whatever you want.

For more details on how to get there or to register to parkrun and download your timing barcode, go to https://www.parkrun.org.uk/wormwoodscrubs/

Sources: http://sportinglandmarks.co.uk/tag/wormwood-scrubs/ https://hidden-london.com/gazetteer/wormwood-scrubs/

Difficulty

Easy

Low Exposure

1 out of 4

The path is on completely flat land and potential injury is limited to falling over.

Remoteness

1 out of 4

Close to help in case of emergency.

Best time to visit

all year round

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area