Top 5 athletics tracks in London

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Following the success of the London Olympics UK Athletics invested a lot of time and money into the development of athletics tracks in London, and as a result there are a number of fantastic athletics tracks available for use in the city.

Crystal Palace National Sports Centre

Located in Crystal Palace Park near Crystal Palace Overground station, the athletics track itself has 8 lanes and there are also facilities available for hammer, discus and long jump. The Blackheath & Bromley Harriers Athletics Club train at the National Sports Centre on Tuesdays from 18.00 – 19.30. The South London Harriers also train here on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays from 19.00 – 20.30, 19.00 – 20.00 and 10.30 – 12.00 respectively.

Paddington Recreation Ground

The Paddington Recreation Ground is located in Maida Vale Park near Paddington tube station. The athletics track was refurbished in 2012 and the grounds also include facilities for hammer, discus and long jump. Roger Bannister trained on this athletics track in preparation for breaking the 4 minute mile. The Serpentine Running Club currently trains at the Recreation Ground on Tuesdays between 17.00 and 19.00.

Linford Christie Athletics Track

This stadium is located in West London, with the closest tube being East Acton. It was opened in 1967 and since 1993 has been named after one of England’s most successful athletes. The Thames Valley Harriers currently train at this athletics track in London. They train on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 18.00 – 20.30 and on Sundays from 11.00 – 13.00 with the main club day being on Tuesdays. This great athletics track offers free parking and changing facilities.

Mile End Park

The Mile End Stadium is ideally located in East London closest to the Mile End underground station. The track was refurbished in 2011 ahead of the London Olympic Games. The Victoria Park Harriers and Tower Hamlet Athletics Club train here on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17.30. There are also parking and changing facilities at this facility.

Lee Valley Athletics Centre

This athletics centre boasts both an indoor (200m) and an outdoor (400m) track which is ideal for training all year round. The centre is located in Enfield in North London with the closest train station being Ponders End. The Enfield and Haringey Athletics Club run training sessions at the Lee Valley Athletics Centre on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 19.00 – 21.30. Changing facilities and free parking are also offered here.