21k Run Kingston: Scenic Thames Path Half Marathon

Route Overview & Local Insights

The Skamper Thames Path Half Marathon offers a remarkably flat and fast 21.1km out-and-back course, perfect for PB hunters or those looking for an easy-to-navigate long run. Starting from the lush banks of Canbury Gardens in Kingston-upon-Thames, you’ll follow the iconic Thames Path as it winds alongside the river. Most of the route is paved or firm trail, taking you past the impressive Teddington Lock—the point where the Thames stops being tidal—and through the serene greenery of Old Deer Park. With zero elevation gain, you can settle into a steady rhythm as you head toward the turnaround point at Kew before retracing your steps back to Kingston.

Running this stretch of the London riverfront is like traveling through centuries of British history. Kingston-upon-Thames was the site where seven Saxon kings were crowned, while the path toward Kew passes near the historic Richmond riverside, famous for its elegant architecture and association with royalty since the reign of Henry VII. Runners will share the trail with local rowing clubs and diverse wildlife, from grazing deer in the distance to the Egyptian geese often found near the water’s edge. It is a quintessential West London experience, blending suburban tranquility with the majestic flow of the capital's central artery.