Every Saturday at 9am, a familiar ritual unfolds in green spaces across London. Thousands of people, from seasoned athletes to weekend strollers, gather for parkrun, the free, weekly 5k community event. While participation trumps competition, one London course has surged ahead to claim a prestigious speed title for 2025: Battersea Park.
Battersea Park: The Speed King of 2025
Battersea parkrun has officially been awarded the "Fastest Course of the Year" for 2025, having dominated the national rankings more consistently than any other UK location. The secret to its speed lies in its geography: the route is famously flat and fully paved, offering runners an ideal, uninterrupted surface for chasing down records and smashing personal goals.
Record-Breaking Runs and Elite Performances
The course's reputation for speed was spectacularly validated by the performances of several elite female athletes this year. Battersea Park was the setting for an astonishing four of the top ten fastest women's times in the country.
The standout run came from India Weir, who set the fastest female time of 2025 with 15:42. She was closely followed by Hannah Irwin in 4th place (15:55), Anna Bracegirdle in 6th (16:12), and Sonny Allen who also posted a top-tier time of 16:17. This concentration of elite results is unmatched by any other parkrun course this year.
It is worth noting that the all-time parkrun world records remain elsewhere. The men's record of 13:44 by Nick Griggs and the women's record of 15:13 by Ciara Mageean were both set at Belfast Victoria parkrun in Northern Ireland.
Why Runners Love Battersea for a PB
For Londoners aiming for a Personal Best (PB), Battersea Park has become the go-to destination. The course elegantly avoids the grass, mud, and steep hills that characterise many other capital parkruns. Participants complete a flat, two-lap, anti-clockwise route on tarmac paths around the park's southern loop.
The run begins on Central Avenue, west of the bandstand, and takes in iconic sights including the serene Peace Pagoda, the central boating lake, and offers glimpses of the monumental Battersea Power Station. The historic, 200-acre Grade II* listed park provides a stunning backdrop for a seriously fast run.
Your Guide to London parkrun Events
London boasts a vast network of parkrun events every Saturday morning at 9:00 AM. Here is a selection across the capital's regions:
Central & North London: Highbury Fields, Hampstead Heath, Finsbury Park, Alexandra Palace (Ally Pally).
East London: Victoria Park (a very popular, fast course), Hackney Marshes, Wanstead Flats, Mile End.
South East London: Greenwich, Dulwich Park (known for being flat and fast), Brockwell, Crystal Palace.
South West London: Bushy Park (the original parkrun), Richmond Park, Wimbledon Common, Tooting Common.
West & North West London: Gunnersbury, Wormwood Scrubs, Osterley, Northala Fields.
To take part, you must register once for free at parkrun.org.uk and remember to bring your personal barcode (printed or digital) to any event to receive an official time.
