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Christmas Lights Running Tours 2023
Jingle all the 5 or 10k through London's Christmas lights with festive tunes pumping as we go-ho-ho!
Back for our 8th year, your Christmas-loving guide will lead you through the very best of London's Christmas lights, trees and window displays over a variety of distances. Each tour has a guide pace to keep you in your comfort zone, and there's even a 3k walking tour.
NEW FOR 2023: Two different 10k and 5k routes to choose from, and a GPS triggered half-marathon self-guided audio tour.
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ROUTE OPTION 1:
Classic Christmas Lights Running Tour
From Carnaby Street, New Bond Street and Regent Street to the Southbank, Somerset House and beyond, jingle through all the main displays and trees of Mayfair and the West End.
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Starts and ends at Charing Cross Station.
(except the walking tour which ends at Bond Street)
ROUTE OPTION 2:
Christmas Lights in the City
BRAND NEW TOUR FOR 2023: Run along the magical lights of the river Thames to the magnificent tree at Leadenhall market and the site of Scrooge's counting house. We'll be exploring the festive beauty of the City of London and Borough, with plenty of seasonal history along the way.
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Starts and ends at London Bridge Station
Dates
Classic 10k Christmas Lights Tour
Walk-run intervals
Mixing short intervals of gentle jogging with walking
Wednesday 13th December - 7pm - FULL
Saturday 16th December - 5:30pm - FULL
Gentle Jingle
You usually run 10k in 12-13 minute miles
Sunday 3rd December - 4:30pm - FULL
Tuesday 5th December - 6:30pm
Wednesday 6th December - 6:30pm
Monday 11th December - 6:30pm - FULL
Saturday 16th December - 4:30pm - FULL
Monday 18th December - 7pm - FULL
Thursday 21st December 6:30pm - FULL
Merrily Medium
You usually run 10k in 10-12 minute miles
Tuesday 5th December - 7.00pm - FULL
Thursday 7th December - 6:30pm - FULL
Friday 8th December - 6:30pm - FULL
Sunday 10th December - 5.30pm - FULL
Tuesday 12th December - 7pm - FULL
Saturday 16th December - 5:30pm - FULL
Tuesday 19th December - 7pm - FULL
Festively Fast
You usually run 10k in sub 10 minute miles
Friday 8th December, 6:30pm
Tuesday 12th December, 7pm - FULL
Christmas Lights in the City 10k Tour
Walk-run intervals
Mixing short intervals of gentle jogging with walking
Sunday 3rd December 4pm
Gentle jingle
You usually run 10k in 12-13 minute miles
Saturday 2nd December 6pm - FULL
Tuesday 5th December 7pm
Thursday 7th December 7pm
Saturday 9th December 6:30pm - FULL
Tuesday 19th December 6:30pm - FULL
Merrily Medium
You usually run 10k in 10-12 minute miles
Saturday 2nd December 6:15pm - FULL
Saturday 9th December 4pm - FULL
Tuesday 12th December 7pm - FULL
Monday 18th December 6:30pm - FULL
Festively Fast
You usually run 10k in sub 10 minute miles
Saturday 9th December 4pm
Wednesday 13th December 7pm - FULL
Christmas Lights in the City 5k Tour
Gentle Jingle
You usually run 5k in 12-13 minute miles
Saturday 2nd December 4pm
Saturday 9th December 6:30pm
Get in touch for more dates/paces.
Classic 5k Christmas Lights Tour
Gentle Jingle
You usually run 5k in 12-13 minute miles
Thursday 7th December 6:30pm - FULL
Wednesday 13th December 7pm - FULL
Sunday 17th December 4pm - FULL
Merrily Medium
You usually run 5k in 10-12 minute miles
Tuesday 12th December 6:30pm - FULL
Saturday 16th December 4pm
Classic 3k Christmas Lights Walking Tour
Sunday 17th December 6pm
Pace guide
This is a running tour, not a race. We run at the pace of the gentlest runner among us and we don't leave anyone behind. Each tour has a guide pace to keep you in your comfort zone
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Festively fast
Merrily Medium
Sub 10 minute miles.
You usually run 10k in under 1 hour
10-12 minute miles.
You usually run 10k between 1hr and 1hr 15 mins.
You usually run 5k between 31 and 37 mins
Gentle jingle
Walk/run intervals
12-13 minute miles.
You usually run 10k between 1 hr 15 mins and 1 hr 20 mins
You usually run 5k between 37 mins and 40 mins
"jeffing" - mixing up short intervals of gentle jogging with walking. We'll aim for 1 minute of running: 30 seconds of walking but will adapt to the needs of the group
These paces are not designed as cut-offs but to give you peace of mind when you sign up. If you've got any pacing-related queries please email josh@secretlondonruns.com. If you're on the borderline of groups, we recommend joining the faster one.
Private bookings 2023
Book your own private guide(s) for your running club, office or group of friends to explore London's Christmas lights at a date/time of your choice. Some 2023 dates are already booked up - please get in touch early to secure your preferred date.
Merry reviews
"A brilliant event, I'd thoroughly recommend this to any Christmas-loving runner! Fab fun, great atmosphere, knowledgeable and friendly guide, everyone was made welcome it was such a super & unique way to see the festive lights."
LARISSA
5* TRIPADVISOR REVIEW
"Took part in the Yule Jog 10k last night - 24 Santa’s, 1 reindeer and 2 elves (I was one of them)! Absolutely brilliant tour, Matt was an amazing leader, funny and entertaining and kept us all together. Had an amazing time, so much fun and all ready for Christmas now! Highly recommend! The biggest question is what’s the costume next year?!"
JANE DAVIS
FACEBOOK RECCOMENDATION
"What a fantastic evening! A great way to see the lights, some of which I didn’t even know existed! Sophie was excellent with great guiding all the way round and lots of information about the sights, traditions and general facts about the places we visited. A definite for next year."
KIRSTY
5* TRIPADVISOR REVIEW
"I organised a private Christmas lights 10k running tour for my running mates and have to say from the ease of booking to the actual event itself it was fantastic! Our tour guide Cat was great fun and knowledgeable and we had lots of laughs along the way. The route was fab as we got to see so many wonderful light displays that normally we wouldn’t get the opportunity to admire and had lots of fab photos taken whilst singing along to festive tunes. Thanks Cat and to the Secret London Runs team - we will be back"
HAIDEE
5* TRIPADVISOR REVIEW
Join our crew
Join the Secret London Runs Connect Facebook Group. A place to chat to like-minded runners.
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Luggage storage
Get 2 hours of free storage at Luggage Hero's facilities all over London. This year's routes are circular, meaning you can take advantage of our partnership with Luggage Hero and store your warm clothes for after the tour. A booking fee, optional insurance and a charge for storage exceeding 2 hours applies, but it's still very reasonable - especially if you pool your items into one bag! You'll get the link for free storage when you sign up.
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FAQS
HOW FAST DO I NEED TO BE?
Our tours are about having fun and celebrating Christmas. No one's setting any PBs. We operate on a strict "no one gets left behind" policy, which means we run at the pace of the gentlest runner in our group. Each group has a guide pace to keep you in your comfort zone, so please pick the pace that best suits you. To be inclusive, the Gentle Jingle is often very gentle, so if you usually run within the pace guidelines of 'Merrily Medium' or 'Festively Fast' then please do sign up for those. There are two walking tour dates this Christmas too.
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IS THERE A BAG DROP?
All our running tours are circular this year meaning you can take advantage of our partnership with Luggage Hero. Luggage Hero have storage facilities all over London and they're giving Secret London Runs customers 2 hours of free storage. You'll get the link when you sign up.
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ARE CHILDREN WELCOME?
Accompanied children are welcome at any tour where they are comfortable with the guide pace, with an adult who takes full responsibility for their safety.
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WHAT IF I NEED TO CHANGE MY DATE?
When you book online you'll get a link to change your booking any time up until one-week prior to your tour.
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WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING/WEAR?
Wear your festive best, and clothes suitable for running/walking. We just need your name at registration - there's no need to print off your ticket.
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NEW
Half marathon Christmas lights tour
In case you haven't guessed, we REALLY love Christmas lights. And on a 10k tour you don't see all the lights all over London. So we've created a half marathon route that you can do any date from 26th November 2023 - 5th January 2024, on a self-guided, GPS audio tour.