Running groups in London

[Corniceman]

As from 16th July I am moving down to London for 5 months for work, very reluctantly I have to say! Does anyone have any info on any mid week evening running groups either associated with any clubs or just regular groups who go out? I will be based in the Oval/kennington area and working in Lewisham, but any where central ought to be OK.
Thanks for any info.
Simon

[older but no wiser]

Thames hare and hounds springs to mind first, based on Wimbledon Common/Richmond park, not so far from the Oval. Wimbledon Windmillers seem to have something going on most nights. Clapham Chasers are the closest club as far as I know to the Oval but not so off road as the two previous clubs. For central London try Serpentine, but again, mainly road. For SE London look to Blackheath Harriers, Dulwich runners or Kent AC. Dont know much about them though. There are dozens of clubs in SW London and I'm sure most will welcome you to join 'em for a run where I'm sure you'll find like minded souls. Have a Goggle at 'running clubs in South London'. Good luck.

[wheezing donkey]

IIRC, a group from the Dulwich club used to make an appearance at the Dunnerdale race every year in the late 80's and through the 90's.

[Corniceman]

Thanks to you both for the info I will check out some of the clubs/groups you have named and hopefully join them for some sessions.

[ba-ba]

Check out the South London Orienteers (SLOW) - they do some mass-start runner-orientated park race thingies - i.e. a bit of route choice but not much hacking through crap or trying to interpret the trickier parts of the map.

[older but no wiser]

SLOW also organise the Box Hill fell race, usually mid January if your still down here then.

[IanDarkpeak]

Any one know about runs near East Grinstead, I'm working down there all next week

[Theolneywayisup]

Ian,

You are close to Box Hill there which has some lovely runs and nice and hilly too - well by South East standards!

There is also the North Downs Way you can run along which goes on for miles and goes through Box Hill. Nearest point to E Grinstead is probably only 3 or 4 miles.

[older but no wiser]

Ian, you can run from East Grinstead to Groomridge e/w for approx 10mls along a disused railway track. No hills I'm afraid, perfectly flat and you'll return the same way unless you can find other F/Ps to return by. Walked it many years ago, it's a lovely off road run. I'm sure you'll find local maps in East Grinstead when your there. Is it this week?

[Brandini]

Ian, A good bet for running close to East Grinstead (EG) is Ashdown Forest (more heathland than forest) just a few miles to the south east of EG. As a previous poster mentioned the North Downs Way is not too far to the north, a good start point is Woldingham (a short hop on the train from EG) and then either east or west along the downs for an out-and-back run. In the general area there is a wealth of footpaths and bridleways but you'd need a 1:25k OS map to plan some good routes. The disused railway mentioned above is a good bet for a simple (surprisingly rural) run 'from the door'. Hope that helps.