Parkrun North London: The Nearest Runs to Archway
Every Saturday at 9am, hundreds of people across North London line up in parks to run, jog or walk 5 km together. It is free, it is timed, and nobody cares how fast you are. If you have been meaning to try it but do not know which one to pick, this guide to parkrun North London is written for you: a tired parent in or near Archway who wants an easy-to-follow plan for getting to a start line on time with your trainers on and your barcode in your pocket.
Parkrun is one of the things I recommend most to parents who want a weekly goal outside my classes. Here are the nearest options, how they differ, and how to actually make it to 9am.
What you need to know before your first parkrun
- It is free. You register once on the parkrun website and get a personal barcode. Print it or keep it on your phone. No barcode, no time, but you can still run.
- It is 5 km, every Saturday, 9am. Arrive early for the first-timers’ briefing.
- Walking is fine. Every event has a tail walker, so you will never be last.
- Kids can come. Under-11s need to stay within arm’s reach of an adult. For younger kids there are also 2 km junior events on Sunday mornings, which I cover in my post on junior parkrun.
- Check the course page. Courses, start points and buggy rules can change, so always check your chosen event’s page on the parkrun site the night before.
Parkrun North London: the nearest events to Archway compared
Highbury Fields: flat and friendly
Highbury Fields parkrun is laps of a tree-lined field on tarmac paths, usually described as five and a half laps. It is flat, so it is a good choice for a first try or a personal best. The downside of a lapped course is that faster runners lap you, which some beginners find off-putting. My tip: treat each lap as a mini goal and do not look behind you.
Getting there from Archway: a short bus ride down Holloway Road, or the tube with a change. Check TfL Journey Planner, as weekend engineering works on the Northern line are common.
Finsbury: one hill, twice
Finsbury parkrun starts by the cafe in Finsbury Park and is two laps, all on tarmac. Each lap starts with a gentle downhill, then a gentle uphill, then a sharp turn up a fairly steep hill that plenty of people walk. After that it levels out around the lake. You climb that hill twice, so pace the first lap.
Getting there from Archway: a short bus ride, or, if you fancy a warm-up, walk part of the way along the Parkland Walk, the old railway line that ends at Finsbury Park. Leave plenty of time if you do this.
Hampstead Heath: hilly trail
This is the “proper” cross-country one. The course winds through woodland, past ponds, and has real hills. The meeting point is on the Hampstead side of the Heath, on the Lower Heath by Lime Avenue near the Well Walk entrance, which is further from Archway than you might think from looking at a map. Trail shoes help when it is wet.
Getting there from Archway: Archway is on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line and Hampstead is on the Edgware branch, so you need to change at Camden Town. Some people walk across the Heath instead, which is a good warm-up but takes a while.
Ally Pally: views and mud
The Ally Pally parkrun in Alexandra Park is two anticlockwise laps on a mix of tarmac, grass and woodland trail, with hills on every lap and a steep downhill near the end of each one. Halfway round there is a narrow bridge that fits one person at a time, so expect a short queue on lap one. It gets muddy after rain.
Getting there from Archway: get yourself to Finsbury Park and take the train to Alexandra Palace station, a few minutes’ walk from the park. A bus is also possible. Check the route the night before.
Which parkrun should you pick?
- First ever 5 km, or pushing a buggy: Highbury Fields or Finsbury, both on tarmac. Check the buggy guidance on the event page first.
- You like hills and views: Hampstead Heath or Ally Pally.
- You want the shortest journey: check door-to-door times on TfL and pick the quickest. The best parkrun is the one you will actually get to.
How to make it to 9am with kids
This is where most parents fall down, not the running. Here is the plan I give clients:
- Friday night: lay out kit for everyone, fill water bottles, put the barcode by the door, check the event page for cancellations.
- Saturday 7:30am: light breakfast for you (toast, banana) and something for the kids to eat on the way.
- Leave with 20 minutes spare. Weekend transport is slower than you think.
- Warm up on arrival: 5 minutes of brisk walking, 10 leg swings each side, 10 squats, then 2 easy 30-second jogs. The NHS has a simple guide on how to warm up before exercising.
Not ready to run 5 km yet?
That is completely normal. Walk it first. Or follow the NHS Couch to 5K plan for a few weeks and make your first parkrun the graduation. My post on Couch to 5K for single parents shows how to fit the sessions in around kids.
If you have had a baby recently, please get your postnatal check with your GP first (usually around 6 to 8 weeks after birth) and build up gradually. The NHS explains the 6-week postnatal check, and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy has postnatal running guidance, which generally suggests waiting longer than that before running. A women’s health physio can help if you notice leaking or heaviness.
Where a bootcamp class fits
Of all the parkrun North London options, none will feel easy if your legs are weak. Runners who skip strength work tend to pick up niggles. In my classes we build the strong hips, calves and core that make hills like Finsbury’s feel less brutal. The SYP Built To Last strength class is a good match for parkrunners over 35.
FAQs
Do I have to run the whole parkrun?
No. Lots of people walk or mix walking and jogging. There is always a tail walker at the back, so you will not be left on your own.
Can I bring my dog or buggy?
Many events allow both with conditions, such as one dog on a short lead, but rules vary by course. Check the event page before you go.
What if I forget my barcode?
You can still take part, but you will not get an official time. Keep a photo of it on your phone.
Is parkrun cancelled in bad weather?
Sometimes, for ice, storms or park events. Check the event page before you leave.
Book your first class
Want to get fitter for your Saturday 5 km? SYP Bootcamp runs 45-minute small-group classes in an indoor church hall in Archway N19, max 10 people, £15 a class, and every exercise has an easier and harder option. Book your £15 class here or call or WhatsApp me on 07301 512215 and I will send the timetable. If you would rather train around your own running plan, my online coaching can fit strength sessions around your parkrun week.
About the author
Artem Olekhnovych is a personal trainer in Archway and the founder of SYP Fitness and SYP Bootcamp. He has coached clients in Archway, Highgate and across North London for over 10 years, and runs small-group bootcamp classes for busy mums and dads. Read reviews from his 1-1 clients.
