London & Partners

ACTIVE-8
From scaling an iconic landmark or ice skating in a castle moat, to riding through a Royal
Park or kayaking along the River Thames, here are eight great ways to have an active day
out and see the city at the same time. By Sasha Wood
1RUN FOR FUN
See some of London’s beautiful
parklands and get your heart racing
at the same time by joining one of
a number of fun runs in the capital
this month. If you are up for a 10k
challenge then there are several
races to suit you. To revel in a Royal
Park, join the Capital Runners
event in Bushy Park on 4 Nov (p.
40. Register at capitalrunners.
com), or dash through land
belonging to the Crown Estate in
the Old Deer Park Richmond 10k
on 18 Nov (p. 40). One of south
London’s prettiest open spaces,
Wimbledon Common, is the venue
for another running event organised
by Energized Sports – the South
London 10k – on 25 Nov (p. 40).
The Big Fun Run through
Victoria Park is an enjoyable way for
all the family to get some exercise.
Kicking off on 3 Nov, it’s a gentle
5k jolly jog through a vast area
Kayaking London’s River
Thames tours
of scenic parkland in London’s
East End, with the motivational
promise of a gold medal at the end
(p. 39). There’s more high-spirited
sprinting complete with enormous
moustaches and fancy dress on
11 Nov in Battersea Park (p. 43).
The annual Mo Running race, part
of charity event Movember (p. 40.
Register at london-battersea.
mo-running.com), is a healthy way to
have a laugh and raise awareness
of prostate cancer at the same time.
Unless otherwise stated, you can
turn up and register on the day.
Mo Running in Battersea Park
TAKE TO THE WATER
Experience a London 2012 venue
and follow in the wake of Team GB
medalists while enjoying bucketloads
of floating fun at Lee Valley
White Water Centre. Try kayaking or
canoeing on the Olympic-standard
competition circuit or ride the rapids
on the adrenalin-inducing white water
rafting course (Station Road, Waltham
Cross, EN9. 08456 770 606.
leevalleypark.org.uk t Waltham
Cross). Another great place for some
aqua activities is Docklands Sailing
And Watersports Centre. Visit the
centre on the weekends to get expert
tuition in everything from sailing and
windsurfing to kayaking and canoeing
with Canary Wharf as your backdrop
(235a Westferry Road, Docklands,
E14. 020 7537 2626 dswc.
org Ë Mudchute). To try kayaking for
free in heavenly surroundings, turn up
for a Sunday morning session (10.00)
with the Castle Canoe Club at West
Reservoir Water Sports Centre in
north 2London (Green Lanes, N4.
020 8442 8116. gll.org
Ë Manor House).
For a unique sightseeing tour, as
well as a great upper body workout,
Kayaking London’s (p. 41) trips
along the River Thames are difficult
to beat. No experience is required and
skilled instructors help you gain your
water wings before setting off on an
adventure through the heart and soul
of London. The range of excursions
take in some of the capital’s most
iconic sights and include paddling
past the Houses Of Parliament (left,
p. 26), HMS Belfast (p. 26) and
Shakespeare’s Globe (p. 33), plus
cruising under Tower Bridge (p. 35).
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| visitlondon.com|LONDON PLANNER|November 2012