Fresh from the unalloyed joy that watching the London Marathon brings (we still haven't emotionally recovered from it), we're enthused enough to look at dusting off our running shoes and downloading Strava again. The good news is that running in London can also be a means to an end. No, not getting fit or losing weight, but as a way to get from one amazing London bakery or brewery to another.
Here's our pick of the running clubs, routes and events to know about if you like running, but love food and drink more.
Bun Run
Throughout London
Probably the best-known bakery run organiser is food writer and influencer Emma Louise Pudge. Her Bun Runs happen sporadically throughout the year, but there's no one more connected and on-the-money when it comes to devising a bakery-focused run route. The last took in Corner Shop, Toklas, La Maritxu, Miel, Happy Sky and Populations to give you an idea. Follow her on Instagram to be the first to hear about her 2026 runs.
Running Late
London Fields - 249b Mare Street, London E8 3NS
True to their name, this popular coffee shop in East London offers a range of energetic pursuits, all of which start or end at the cafe. There are runs every Wednesday and Saturday, but if that's too strenuous an activity for you, there's also an organised walk around the park on Tuesdays, to which dogs are welcome.
Croissant Run Club North London
North London
There are apparently iterations of this in other parts of London, but the North London branch is the most active (pun intended). Created by Tara Gallagher, it began life with a simple text to a friend suggesting the idea of running to a bakery in Belgravia. It now has 30 clubs across four continents. The idea is simple: they suggest a different running loop each time, and you finish at a bakery for pastries.
Stay in it
De Beavoir - One and a Half, Ardleigh Rd, London N1 4HS
This Hackney-based run club is based out of Leigh's cafe in De Beauvoir. They do a weekly 5k run that ends at Leigh's, where members get 50% off hot coffees and the promise of excellent post-run toasties, pastries and cookies.
Run Dusty
North and East London
If pints rather than pastries are your motivation, then social run club Run Dusty is what you're after. Every month, they switch their residency to a different brewery, which is the start and end point for a 5-8k run during the week and 10k run at the weekend. Complete the run and enjoy a free beer for your labours.
Events
PaperBoy at the Standard
10 and 31 May and 7 June 2026
Parisian sandwich folk PaperBoy are having a six-week pop-up at The Standard at King's Cross, bringing their amazing buns and rolls with them. As part of the residency, they're hosting three Sunday morning runs on 10 and 31 May and 7 June. Sponsored by New Balance, the 5-8k runs will start and finish at The Standard, with runners getting a free drink at PaperBoy at the end.
Forza Wine Maratona
7 June 2026
The restaurant group is holding a 12k charity run featuring eight wine stops along the route, with all proceeds going to Galloways and Hospitality Action. The run starts at Forza Peckham and finishes at Forza Soho, with stops at Levan, Toad, Theo's, Canton Arms, Forza Wine at the National Theatre and Bar Crispin on the way. Places are £50.
Guides
Breadrunners
Run off the back of Copenhagen-based restaurant site Tipster, Breadrunners offers a series of running guides that cover London, Amsterdam and Copenhagen. The routes are all customisable on Google Maps, and the bakeries featured are a hotlist of some of the more interesting openings in London right now.
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