Morning Miles: London, England

Beyond the morning miles in the parks, running through London connects you directly to a storied, global culture. Along with world-class cities like New York, Berlin, Tokyo, and Boston, London stands as an epicenter of running—anchored by the iconic London Marathon. That deep-seated running heritage is palpable throughout the city.

While in London we stayed at the Kimpton Fitzroy and London delivered perfect weather, unforgettable memories for the two of us, and many energizing morning runs.

The hotel’s position in Bloomsbury was ideal—a easy walk to work at King’s Cross in one direction, and a short walk to Marylebone, Soho, and the surrounding neighborhoods of Hyde Park in the other direction.

There is a magic to exploring a city during a morning run before the rest of the world wakes up. One morning, the goal wasn't a commute; it was loops through Hyde Park to watch the city transition from stillness to speed.

Starting in the quiet air of dawn, the park belonged entirely to runners, horseback riders, and soft sunlight filtering through the canopy. Leaving the green perimeter, the atmosphere shifted seamlessly. You could physically feel the city coming alive as commuters emerged from the Tube stations, stepping into the rhythm of the workweek. There is a deep grounding in that contrast: moving with purpose under your own power while the world accelerates around you.

The ultimate reward, however, sat tucked away on a quiet side street directly behind the Kimpton. Fortitude Bakehouse—quite possibly the best bakery in all of London. Jill and I visited Fortitude many times during our stay and can unequivocally say it is the best bakery we have ever been to!

Thank you Jill for planning an amazing two week adventure and London for showing us all that you have to offer in the summer! We’ll certainly be back again to visit familiar places and take in some new ones too.