ericlambi wrote:
I never did find a way into London, but had an EZ question for any London running expert . . .
Is Battersea Park a good place to do a tempo run or interval session? Like that Carriage Drive loop, most likely, looks pretty dark on the strava heatmap. Is there any drinking fountain there, or is it the sort of place I could leave a bottle while I run loops? Is there a better place for this type of thing?
As others have said, it's a great place for tempo / intervals, i was there on Weds evening doing them. Can get quite busy over the weekend with people out walking etc which is the only thing to be aware of if you're doing efforts etc. Will be worse if the weather warms up!
Good routes also along the Thames, but again can be busy with pedestrians. Hyde Park, St James' Park, Kensington Palace Gardens are all nice too and a shortish run if you're looking at Battersea.
The sports centre in Battersea Park charges ÂŁ3 to use the changing room / lockers (you need a ÂŁ1 coin for the lockers), in case that's helpful. It's probably a good place to leave a bottle too, if you just leave it outside, it's unlikely to get moved anywhere.
Your only other chance with the marathon might be to find someone who can't run and get their number off them, but will be very dependent on being able to find someone. If i hear of anyone unable to run, i'll drop you a line.