It was all about a trip to Mile End in the heart of the East End today, with highlights including running on the Green Bridge that goes over Mile End road high and tasting beautiful traditional pie & mash!

It is great hear rising from the bombing of the second world war how Mile End park was developed to help the local community recover from the devastation that the war had befallen them!

Good to see again Angelica join me and Martin on this adventure it is always a pleasure to run with good friends!

Course

Mile End parkrun is a two lap out and back style course that starts at the back of the Athletics stadium. The route takes in the famous green bridge and for a section at the backend of the course you are run along the towpath of Regents canal.

For the record it is run entirely on tarmac footpaths that for a large section consists of two parallel paths so this acts as a perfect way of separating the runners going out on way and coming back on this other side, perfect! The only other thing I would add is there is a pronounced steady incline running over the bridge from both sides!

Personal Stats

Time was 33:04 now I have got over the worse of this chest infection I am going to knuckle down to some serious training to see now much I can improve on my Burgess parkrun time!

Important Info

There are some excellent facilities available for patrons running Mile End and they include:

• Shower changing facilities at the parks leisure centre
• Own 400 metre athletics track with stand
• Parking is cheap for a 2 hour stay at the leisure centre car park it is just £1

The leisure centre does not open until 9am on Saturdays but they let us in beforehand to use the toilets that was kind of them!

Final Verdict

I would like to thank Mary, her team of volunteers and the Mile End parkrun community  in making me and my friends very welcome today, thanks guys!

Also on this challenge I try new experience when I can with today being no exception! So I thought let’s try out a traditional East End pie & mash shop to taste one of their legendary pies!

The wonderful establishment I ended up at was Maureen’s now run by her son Jason, no sooner had I entered the shop I felt at home by the warm welcome we received!

I ordered the special pie & mash with the green liquor (parsley based liquor lovely with vinegar and salt added afterwards) and it tasted beautiful!

Thank you Maureen’s for making us welcome and Jason for the kind donation to my charity!

I must admit that I am starting to fall in love with the people of this part of London, with the warmth and kindness towards me and in doing so what I am trying to achieve!

Best

Mark aka Silent Runner

Run on 21/01/2017