About cycling & running in Medway Towns
Medway Miles And Marsh Rides
Running: Medway runners use Chatham, Gillingham, Rainham, Rochester, and Strood for easy base miles and quick intervals. Locals tick off one-mile park routes at Great Lines Heritage Park, Gillingham Park, The Strand, Lordswood Recreation Ground, and Rainham Recreation Ground. Rebel Runners Medway runs team nights on Monday at 7pm and Thursday at 7.30pm, plus track at Medway Park on Wednesday at 6.45pm. Strood Run Club meets at Strood Sports Centre on Tuesday from 9:15am to 10am. The Great Lines parkrun gives locals a weekly free 5K, and Medway junior parkrun gives juniors a weekly free 2K. Anchor days include North Downs Run, Harvel 5, Thameside Races, and Solstice at the Lakes Trail Runs.
Cycling: Medway riders get a proper mix of town links, marsh gravel, towpath, and North Downs work. The route runs 8km when locals want steady Z2 without overthinking it. The Hoo gravel ride runs 64km and climbs 366m, with rough grass tracks, fast gravel roads, and quiet country lanes. Medway Velo Cycling Club was established in 1968, and club rides leave Rainham at 9am on Saturdays and Sundays. Saturday is the longer ride, and Sunday is the social ride. Cycle Club Bexley and Gravesend CC sit in the wider race scene. The Dave Ashdown Memorial Time Trial, Gravesend CC Club 10 rounds, and Medway Climate Ride are the anchor names.
Season: Summer gives Medway both long daylight and a clean target ride. The Medway Climate Ride starts at Rochester Cathedral, ends at Canterbury Cathedral, and sends cyclists off at 9:45am after a 9:30am meet. Runners use the season for Great Lines parkrun, Medway parks mile routes, and longer trail efforts toward the River Medway and North Downs. Winter changes things up for both sports. Runners deal with large puddles, hard packed trail, and some really muddy sections along the way. Cyclists shift more rides toward steady base miles, rough paths, and winter grit. The Winter Wanderlust 50K Ultra lands on 2026-12-20.
