About this Event
Here's the thing about Saturday mornings. You can scroll in bed until 11 and feel vaguely guilty about it. Or you can run 5K by the river with a group of brilliant women and be sitting down to coffee by 10:30.
I know which one you'll remember.
Every Saturday at 9:15AM, Run & Connect meets at Mercato Metropolitano in Wood Wharf for our Riverside 5K. After a 5 minute warm up together, we head out along the river via South Quay, run a lovely loop, and come back to where we started. Then we finish with a cool down so you feel good all weekend.
And then the best bit. There's a water station waiting at Mercato Metropolitano, plus coffee and breakfast if you fancy staying. This is where the "connect" in Run & Connect happens. Conversations, ideas, collaborations, friendships. Some of our best ones started over a flat white, matcha or latte after a run.
First time joining? Please arrive 5 minutes early, at 9:10AM. I'll get to know you, ask about your running history and any injuries, get you onboarded, and make sure your pace feels right for you.
This is a women only run, built for real women with real lives. Whether you live in Canary Wharf, work here, run your own business or have a corporate career, you're welcome. Every woman, every background, every pace. And if you've always wanted to become "a runner" but didn't know where to start, this is it. You don't need to be fast. You just need to turn up.
Who's leading your run
Every run is led by Ilona Drob (@ilonadrob), strength training and running coach, marathoner, and founder of Run & Connect Club. Ilona is just as passionate about strength training as she is about getting outdoors, and she loves helping women discover how strong they really are. She's currently training for her second marathon, so if you've got questions about running, lifting, or fitting both into a busy life, she's your woman.
Follow the club at @runandconnectclub to see what our runs look like.
Join our WhatsApp group
We also have a WhatsApp group for run updates, meetups and a bit of daily motivation. Message Ilona on Instagram at @ilonadrob and she'll add you.
When: Every Saturday, 9:15AM (new members 9:10AM)
Where: Mercato Metropolitano, Wood Wharf, 3 minutes from Canary Wharf station
Route: Riverside loop via South Quay, finishing back at Mercato Metropolitano
Distance: 5K
Who: Women only, all levels welcome
After: Water station, coffee, breakfast, good company
Book your spot and give your weekend the best possible start.
Participation & Personal Responsibility
We want every run to feel safe, enjoyable and supportive for everyone attending. By joining the run, you confirm that you feel physically able to take part and understand that running, like any physical activity, involves some level of personal responsibility.
Please run at a pace that feels comfortable for you, listen to your body, and pause or stop if you feel unwell, dizzy or in pain. If you have any injuries or medical conditions, are pregnant, or are unsure whether running is suitable for you, we recommend seeking medical advice before attending.
All participants join voluntarily and take part at their own pace and discretion, and our team will always do their best to create a welcoming, supportive environment for every runner.
Event venue & nearby stays
Mercato Metropolitano - Wood Wharf, 6 George Street, London, United Kingdom
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