I went to support a fellow runner in the Richmond running Festival 2016 10k. It starts in Kew Gardens (Free Entry to spectators!!) and finishes in Old Deer Park near Richmond Town Centre…it’s where one of the parkruns are. the route winds through Kew Gardens (very scenic) and down the Thames Towpath (very scenic).
Similarly for the HM and Marathon except the Marathon goes further down the towpath to Kingston Bridge and back to the same finish. Very scenic past the Polo fields and Ham House and Teddington Lock. Also past the little-known open water swim venue at Thames Mariners in Ham (look for RGActive). You’ll likely engage with Olympic canoeists/kayakers, sailors on yachts and rowers en-route.
You get the point! UK’s most scenic City Marathon/HM by a looooong way I would have thought.
It’s a super-flat course. A little bumpy in places and a little over grass at the end.
My fellow runner didn’t quite manage to beat either Jo Pavey or Andrew Baddeley.
Might be worth a 2017 diary-entry?
Last Updated on 11 April 2026 by the5krunner
My favourite kit and nutrition
- Maurten — the race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mix engineered to be easy on the stomach.
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — the small adapter that keeps your charging cable tidy at the stem. Essential for race day.
- Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session.
- Ravemen FR300 — front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters.
- Garmin Varia RTL515 — radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch.
- Stryd — the footpod that brings running power to your Garmin. The single most useful running upgrade I have made.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — the power meter pedals most serious cyclists end up choosing. Accurate, easy to move between bikes.
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tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors. ID
