Runs

On the Run In London, Ontario

January 2, 2012
By Brandon Laan

Also known as the “Forest City,” there are several scenic running routes in London, Ont. You can venture through the well-manicured campus of the University of Western Ontario, meander through the endless park system - Gibbons Park, Harris Park, and Springbank Park to name a few - or hit the trails for softer and more undulating paths.

London has a vibrant running community and hosts a number of races on the roads, trails and track. The Forest City and Springbank road race series bring hundreds of runners to each of its events, from the 5K to the half-marathon. There’s a popular new race in town as well. Last summer, RunnersFeed launched the successful Rock the Road 10K with 250 runners, which also included an expo, festival atmosphere and $1,000 prizes for the winners. Each September, top university runners take over the Thames Valley Golf Course for the Western International cross-country meet. On the track, the state-of-the-art mondo surface at TD Waterhouse stadium, built for the 2001 Canada Games, has several races in the summer’s 401 Distance Series.

Short 6K - University of Western Ontario

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/56346404

The campus of the University of Western Ontario is home to some great architecture and unique landscaping. You’ll find plenty of grass, dirt, gravel and paved paths.

Start at the University of Western Ontario’s TD Waterhouse Stadium. Head east onto Huron Drive out of the parking lot. You will see the practice fields on your right. Turn left on Lambton Drive. You will pass the Fowler Kennedy Sports Medicine Clinic on your right, then make your way through the roundabout at Alumni Hall (home of the volleyball and basketball teams). Turn right onto Western Road, go down the hill, and make a right on Windermere Road. Turn Right onto Perth Drive. You will run past University Hospital on your right, then turn left at the lights onto University Drive. Go over the bridge, and make a quick right onto the bike path. Turn right onto The Parkway, then right at Huron Street, which will take you through Gibbons Park. Run for 1.1K before turning right over the bridge, which will take you out to Beaufort Street. Turn right on Beaufort Street. Turn right again on Western Road and approximately 100 meters after cresting the hill, turn right at the sidewalk heading back to the stadium parking lot.

Medium 10K (out-and-back route) - Springbank Park

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/56347420

The London Bike Paths are runner friendly. Springbank Park is an undulating course with gravel paths and plenty of grass throughout the park.

Start in the Springbank parking lot off Commissioners Road West closest to Boler Road. Take the bike path west toward Boler Road. You will eventually be running along the Thames River, down and up a hill, then follow the bike path until you go under the Wonderland Road overpass. Within the next 300 meters, there will be a bathroom to the left where there is a fork in the path. This is your turn-around point. Make your way back along the same path for a total of 10K.

Long 20K (out-and-back-route) - London Bike Path System

http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/56348316

Start in Harris Park, then head north, which will eventually take you through Gibbons Park. Take this until you exit the park just before the 3K mark. Stay on Huron Street until you hit Richmond Street. Turn right, then left onto Regent Street. You are now on The Rock The Road 10K course. Take Regent Street until William Street. Just before the street curves to the right, there is a bike path entrance. Take this path and follow it through The North London Soccer Fields and under the Adelaide Street underpass. Continue on the bike path for another 3K until you hit Highbury Avenue. This your turn-around point. Make your way back along the same route for a total of 20K.

Additional Trails:

The Kamoka Trails, about five kilometers west of London, offer a few challenging runs on zigzag dirt paths. Fanshawe Lake - 15 kilometres northeast of London and home of the Canadian women’s rowing team - has a wealth of well-marked trails, excellent for any length of run.

Where to Eat:

London has a variety of eating options to suit most palates and provide appropriate fuelling options for runners on the go. Local dietician Jennifer Broxterman has these recommendations for the health-conscious runner: Café 1 (551 Richmond St.) has fresh, made-to-order meals, featuring plenty of vegetables and whole grains; Abruzzi (119 King St.) is an Italian restaurant that uses local and seasonal ingredients; and Veg Out (646 Richmond St.), as the name implies, is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly restaurant.

Where to Shop:

-  Running Room (620 Richmond St.)

-  New Balance London (1422 Fanshawe Park Road W)

-  Runner’s Choice (207 Dundas St.)

-  Source for Sports (406 Wharncliffe Rd S)

Brandon Laan is one of Canada’s top marathoners and co-founder of RunnersFeed.com based in London, Ont.