Southwark Slam pt2 - Peckham Rye parkrun #490 - 14/09/24

After last week’s trip to Southwark parkrun, we moved to Peckham Rye parkrun, tucked away in Peckham Common and the newest of the 4 parkruns in the London Borough of Southwark. 

I had first discovered Peckham Rye when I’d lived in Southwark for 11 years and known about the Common but never ventured into the park which is situated in the middle. I have Peckham Rye parkrun to thank for introducing me. It’s currently my second most attended parkrun and one of the hidden gems in the London stable of parkruns, in my opinion. 

The course has little streams alongside the route.

Historical accounts cite the arrival of the Wombell’s Wild Beast Show of 1868 leading to local residents partitioning Parliament against the misuse of the land. This led to the land being purchased by the Camberwell Vestry for £1,000. In 1882 the land was transferred to the Metropolitan Board of Works. Over subsequent years other plots of land, including Homestall Farm were incorporated into the now 113 acre space we have today. The formation of the Friends of Peckham Rye Park in 1995 and a successful application to the Heritage Lottery Fund has resulted in the Park being issued with a Green Flag Award in 2007 and has retained this status every year since. 

The sun wasn’t quite up when we arrived but we received a warm welcome from today’s Run Director. Runners started to assemble, Southwark Slammers started to appear and the sun finally started to warm us all up. 

Southwark Slam pt 2 Peckham Rye parkrun!

The Run Director gave a shout-out to everyone completing the 2024 Southwark Slam and a special mention to Charles who was completing his 300th parkrun and then we were off. 

This course is currently a 3-lap anti-clockwise route, starting at the top of the common with an enticing downhill. Even with some twists and turns you could be fooled into thinking you’re going to get a personal best, that’s until you encounter the hill on the other side which you do three times, providing 35m of elevation. You’re doing well to get decreasing negative splits on this course. 

The route takes you over 2 lovely bridges, going alongside a pond and passing the Japanese Garden with a water garden and arched stone bridge. There are streams from the old river Peck which once freely flowed across the Rye. All examples of the tranquillity and magic that await you at this event. It’s one of the prettiest courses I’ve done in London.

With all the Slammers accounted for including, out of today’s field of 490 participants, Aislin who is doing the Volunteer Southwark Slam, we headed down to 'The Round' the Peckham Cafe in the park. The Round was refurbished in 2018 and is now run by Colicci. With it’s views over the common and iconic London skylight in front of you it’s a destination for park and non-park users alike.

'The Round' the Peckham Cafe in the park

Next week I’ll be travelling to Dulwich parkrun for the third installment of the 2024 Southwark Slam. 

Happy running

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