Parks
↘
Pavements.

PROFESSION: TEACHER

Do you prefer shorter or longer runs?
My regular runs are 5k Favourite running Spot? Dartford Lakes is great

Any big goals for this year?
I’m going for a promotion at work

Advice to younger self?
Get up and do stuff - just try new things that are outside of your comfort zone.

PROFESSION: DIRECTOR OF SPORT

Favourite running Spot?
Dulwich Park in London, also anywhere different like in the mountains or by the sea.

Any big goals for this year?
Yes, a sub 2:35 marathon and getting back to under 16 minutes for a 5km.

Advice to younger self?
You don’t have to commit to anything fully - try everything out and enjoy new things, and then you’ll find your niche.

PROFESSION: WINE TRADE

Do you prefer shorter or longer runs?
Something in the middle like 10k

Favourite running Spot?
A long the river Thames and anywhere scenic

Any big goals for this year?
To get back in shape, aim for sub 20-minute 5k

Advice to younger self?
Keep running, if you stop exercising, it takes a long time to get back into it.

PROFESSION: ARCHIT

CTDo you prefer shorter or longer runs?
I like short painful 5k runs

Favourite running Spot?
Peckham Rye Park

Any big goals for this year?
Just to live my life, be happy and to sleep more

Advice to younger self?
Just keep doing what you're doing and stop worrying about things

PROFESSION: NATIONAL GRID

Do you prefer shorter or longer runs?
I prefer short runs, so to fit them around life and work

Favourite running Spot?
Bolberry Down in South Devon

Any big goals for this year?
No, I just keep an open mind and take things as they come

Advice to younger self?
Just get on and do it. Don’t spend time deliberating.

PROFESSION: FILMMAKER

Do you prefer shorter or longer runs?
I like doing the 5k Park runs

Favourite running Spot?
Country lanes and fields in Leicester are peaceful and relaxing.

Advice to younger self?
Once the past has happened, you can't really do anything about it. So just don't worry about it. Live in the moment and enjoy yourself

PROFESSION: BIKE INSURANCE

Do you prefer shorter or longer runs?
I like long runs - I do marathons and Ironman competitions.

Favourite running Spot?
Early morning run a long the Thames path

Any big goals for this year?
Completing the Ironman European Championships in Hamburg in under 11 hours.

Advice to younger self?
Don't drink as much

PROFESSION: ADVERTISING MEDIA PLANNER

Do you prefer shorter or longer runs?
I prefer a 7-10k run

Favourite running Spot?
Running in any different city while on holiday

Any big goals for this year?
To do more cycling - I've got a hilly 100-mile cycle ride planned in Wales.

Advice to younger self?
Don't care what people think about you.

PROFESSION: LOGISTICS MANAGER, DOMINO RECORDS

Do you prefer shorter or longer runs?
I prefer longer runs, up to half marathons

Favourite running Spot?
I love Greenwich Park

Any big goals for this year?
I want to build a bike for myself with loads of parts I’ve accumulated over the years

Advice to younger self?
Worry less. 90% of the things you worried about when you were younger are pointless.

PROFESSION: DIGITAL VIDEO EDITOR

Short or longer runs? I've got a background in football, so prefer 5-10k, but I am starting to enjoy longer distances.

Music or no music? Music. I'm obsessed, it keeps me focused during runs. But race crowds cheering you on is so infectious.

Favourite running spot? Greenwich. The park is beautiful with amazing views and running along the Thames is so peaceful.

Running in the cold or heat? Summer runs are unmatched – late sunsets, iced coffee and morning runs with your run club.

PROFESSION: OFFICE ASSISTANT

Trail or road runs? Road runs. I haven’t really done many trail runs, I’m not sure I could handle the mud!

Running in the cold or heat? Both! Running in the cold builds character, butI love summer runs before it gets too hot.

Music or no music? No music. I like taking in my surroundings and focusing on breathing. Music makes me run to the beat and max out early.

Advice to younger self? Don't overthink things, enjoy life’s experiences and brace yourself for race entry costs.

PROFESSION: IMAGE LICENCER

Trail or road runs? I started on roads and like the sensation of concrete underfoot, but now enjoy trails. When I'm back home in Italy, I reconnect with nature. I’ve promised myself to do more trail runs. There's something sentimental about it.

Music or no music? Music, big yes! It keeps me company on solo runs. I'll vibe with an entire album, sing along too and look insane but I don't care.

Favourite city to run in? London, no doubt! There are so many amazing parks and an incredible running community.

Advice to younger self? Be more confident in myself and that I’m capable of great things.

PROFESSION: PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER

Trail or road runs? Road runs, they’re usually flatter!

Running in the cold or heat? In the cold. I’d rather have layers on and a hot drink after to warm me up.

Music or no music? I’d prefer to run in the company of others, but if I’m by myself, definitely music. Favourite running spot? Greenwich Park, it makes me so grateful for where I live.

Advice to younger self? Variety is key.

Short or longer runs? Right now, short because it's winter, and I have no races in the diary.

Running in the cold or heat? Cold. Because sunrise runs with frosty ground are the best, plus getting sun is pretty rare in the UK so there’s better ways to spend that time.

Music or no music? Always music (usually Soft Play), or podcasts for easy runs. Never just my thoughts. Although during my last race, dead earphones led to a PB.

What skills do you want to learn? Swimming. I want to do a triathlon but as a kid I just messed around in swimming lessons. Doggy paddle is my natural stroke now, so that needs some work.

Short or longer runs? Both, but the allure of a long run is the element of escapism. I started running ultramarathons recently — I find them to be therapeutic and purifying, both physically and emotionally.

Music or no music? Music, always. It’s the perfect antidotal distraction from pain. With 100 days left in my 365-consecutive run challenge, music helps me forget the crippling pain in my feet. Hearing that one song (Never Forget — Take That) floods me with dopamine and sends me off like a rocket.

What skills do you want to learn? To know when to stop running on injuries and spouting off that delusion is the best painkiller.