The Regent’s Canal FKT has long been on our bucket list — so when the stars aligned and a marathon training plan called for a long run on a day both of us could do, the route was an easy choice.
It was a beautiful autumnal morning as we set off from Limehouse where the canal meets the river.
We went around the marina and up the canal towards Mile End. We passed couple other runners and dog walkers on the way as we passed the edge of Victoria Park.
The next few miles along the canal, between Broadway Market and Angel, were lovely, if a bit busy. We caught the tail end of the morning rush hour so there were quite few cyclists zooming past us.
Once we got to Angel, where the canal disappears into a tunnel for a few hundred meters, we got off and zig zagged the bustling streets of Islington, then rejoined the canal and continued out way to Camden.
Camden Market was just waking up when we passed through, the remaining signs of last night’s party being cleared away.
The next stretch, through Regent’s Park, was stunning. The foliage was putting on its brightest and most vivid colours.
We then passed the London Zoo and while we couldn’t see any animals, there was definitely a point where we could smell them.
Next, Little Venice and its beautiful boats, and then through to Paddington where we stopped for a quick photo before turning around to do the whole thing again but backwards.
The way back involved a bit more tourist dodging, especially around Camden, but was beautiful nevertheless.
Once we passed Angel and returned to the canal once more, we knew the end was in sight (even if our knees and hips didn’t agree).
We made it back to the Limehouse Basin in little over three hours — tired but happy and with yet another awesome run under our belts.
Carried water and gels from the start. One toilet stop at Weatherspoon's in Camden to use toilets.