5K races near Paddock Wood

The London Epping Forest Ultra and EcoTrail 25 is a trail running event held in Epping Forest, bordering London. The EcoTrail 25 covers 25 kilometers, positioning it between a road half marathon and a full ultra marathon. It is a distance requiring pacing strategy, distinct from a full-day mountain race. Available results suggest a morning start, with runner times logged by chip rather than gun. The course specifics are limited, but the name and distance indicate a 25,000-meter trail race connected to the broader London Epping Forest Ultra series. The results show 206 finishers for the EcoTrail 25. One participant finished 80th in 2:28:39, averaging 5:56 per kilometer. Splits were recorded at the halfway point and the finish, allowing for analysis of performance during the latter half of the race.

Run Kent’s Tonbridge race series starts and finishes at The Judd School in the historic town of Tonbridge. It is an October road-running event with three distances on the same day: a half marathon, 10K, and 5K, all held on closed roads. Each route is a professionally marked and measured single loop, going through Tonbridge and out onto the surrounding Kent countryside roads. The races support Tonbridge Rotary Club and Tonbridge Lions, with local bands, aid stations, and spectators adding to the day along the course.

Run Kent Tonbridge begins at The Judd School, guiding runners on a marked, measured single loop through the Kent countryside. The event provides three distances: a half marathon, 10K, and 5K, with staggered morning starts, beginning with the longer race. It is a RunThrough event featuring chip timing, kilometre flags, stocked water stations, and marshals at key turns. The race returns road running to the streets around Tonbridge, with support from Tonbridge Rotary Club and Tonbridge Lions. Demelza, the local children’s hospice, serves as the event charity, enabling many runners to raise funds. Spectator areas, course entertainment, and cheering marshals contribute to a community atmosphere, distinct from a basic club run. The finish area offers food, drink, complimentary race photos, post-race items, and a themed medal.

Lee Valley VeloPark October is a multi-distance road running event held at Lee Valley VeloPark in east London. It uses the floodlit one-mile circuit constructed around the London 2012 Olympic venue. Participants can select a half marathon, 10 miles, 10k, 5k, or a 1-mile and junior race. All races are on tarmac, featuring a gentle rise and fall instead of a flat park path. The event is lap-based: the half marathon covers 13 laps, the 10-mile race uses 10 laps, the 10k is 6 laps, the 5k is 3 laps, and the mile race completes one full lap. Each mile split is chip timed, allowing runners to monitor their pace, though no pacers are provided. RunThrough supplies marshals, chip-timed results, free race photos, a themed medal, post-race treats, and an event village with food and drink near the finish.

The One in the Park - Greenwich offers 5k and 10k races through Greenwich Park in London. The course passes the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian Line. This late-autumn race takes place in October on fast, traffic-free park paths, with both distances beginning at 09:30. The route remains within one of London’s historic parks, providing runners with open city views from Greenwich’s elevated position. Entry includes chip timing, a finisher medal, and refreshments. A tree is planted for each runner. The event village provides race-number pickup, bag drop, toilets, and start-finish facilities near Great Cross Avenue.

The Victoria Park Half Marathon, 10K & 5K is a traffic-free running event within Victoria Park in East London. Participants can select from three distances, making the event suitable for half marathon training, a competitive 10K, or a first 5K within a park environment. The routes are flat, offering an advantage for those aiming for a personal best and for runners seeking a simple race without road traffic. The course remains entirely within one of East London’s significant green spaces, featuring marked routes and marshals to direct participants. Hundreds of runners are anticipated, ranging from novices to seasoned club athletes. The event includes chip timing, baggage services, an on-site medical team, and awards a medal to every finisher.

The QE Olympic Park 5k & 10k is a chip-timed road race held in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park each November, with both distances beginning at 09:30. Participants select either the 5k or 10k distance on a flat tarmac course within the park. The 5k involves two laps, while the 10k requires four. With minimal elevation gain of approximately 3m, the race is suitable for those aiming for a fast time and for runners seeking a simple city park race with distinct pacing markers. The course features marked kilometres, distance flags, and marshals, making the lap format straightforward. All finishers get a themed medal, water, goodies, and complimentary race photos. The event village offers food, drink, and partner stalls before and after the run. This race supports Special Olympics Great Britain and is organised by RunThrough, which hosts 5k, 10k, 10-mile, half marathon, and marathon events throughout London and the UK.

Chase The Moon Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park Christmas Run is an evening 5k or 10k in London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, with both road races starting at 7:00 pm. It is chip-timed, so runners get an official result, and the flat, fast route suits anyone trying to run a quick time. The course runs through the South Park area of the Olympic Park, with every kilometre marked by distance flags. Helpers are placed around the route to keep runners on course and give encouragement, and finishers receive a themed medal, water, and goodies at the end.

This December race at Victoria Park offers runners a choice of 5k, 10k, or half marathon on the same morning. It begins at St Marks Gate on Cadogan Terrace in East London, with chip timing for each distance and staggered starts: the half marathon begins first, followed by the 10k and then the 5k. The route follows the park’s wide, flat paths, suitable for runners aiming for a personal best as well as those trying a new distance. The setup is straightforward: a contained London park course, three distance options, and flat running to aid pacing compared to hillier city routes.

Runners complete laps on a one-mile floodlit tarmac course at Lee Valley Velo Park in December. Race distances range from a junior run and 1 mile up to 5k, 10k, 10 miles, and a half marathon. The longer races are structured by laps: 13 laps for the half marathon, 10 for 10 miles, 6 for 10k, 3 for 5k, and 1 for the mile. The circuit has a gentle undulation, styled like a Moto GP track, with 15m of elevation gain noted for each distance. This course is suitable for runners seeking a controlled environment where pacing is straightforward to monitor. Mile splits are chip timed for post-race review. There are no pacers provided. The venue adds interest as it was a site during the London Olympics.

The Victoria Park Half Marathon, 10k & 5k offers three race distances on flat, traffic-free paths within Victoria Park in East London. The event caters to various runners, from those new to 5k to experienced participants using the half marathon or 10k for pace testing. The routes are contained within one of East London's cherished green spaces. They feature course markings, marshals, chip timing, baggage facilities, and an on-site medical team. Hundreds of runners are anticipated, and all finishers will receive a medal. This makes the day suitable as a relaxed local run or a practical opportunity to pursue a personal best.