UCL 5km Run: Halloween Edition 🎃

Join us at the Lee Valley VeloPark’s one-mile floodlit Moto GP styled road circuit for our UCL 5km Run: Halloween Edition 👻

This years' run is a Halloween theme, which means there will be prizes for the best Halloween costume! 

Please note: Halloween costume is optional! 

UCL 5km Run is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog or run 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️As one of the London 2012 Olympic venues, you can’t help but feel inspired to give this course a go. 

This event is open to all UCL staff and students!

Tickets 

Ticket price includes:

• Entry to the UCL 5km Run
• A race number
• An event t-shirt 
• Official event photographs
• A great experience

Please note: tickets will be allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Refund policy: all tickets are non-refundable unless there has been an event cancellation. 

Route Map 

Other Information

Facilities: Runners will have access to changing facilities and toilets at the venue. 

Spectators: There is a spectator point to watch the runners and cheer your friends on.

Pictures: We will have a photographer taking a few snaps of the event and they will be available to all participants after the event. 

Refreshments: There is a café on site where you can purchase refreshments. We recommend you bring a full water bottle with you. There are several water fountains at the venue where you can refill your water bottle. 

Practice running before the event 

Taking up running can seem like a scary prospect, especially if you feel out of shape or unfit. Come along to our Project Active Postgraduate Regents Park Run or our Project Active Women Only Running groups, the sessions are free but you will need to book your ticket via the What's On Calendar.

Alternatively click here to find your local Parkrun. Parkrun is such a simple concept: turn up every Saturday and walk, jog or run 5k. It doesn’t matter how fast you go. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. What matters is taking part. 

The NHS Couch to 5K will help you gradually work up towards running 5km in just 9 weeks. Couch to 5K is a running plan for absolute beginners. The plan involves 3 runs a week, with a day of rest in between, and a different schedule for each of the 9 weeks. 

Address

Abercrombie Road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 3AB

(If using the app What3Words, use the words ///winks.artist.mass for exact event village location)

We strongly recommend travelling by public transport to Lee Valley VeloPark, allowing plenty of time to get to the venue. Please plan your journey ahead of your visit to check for any planned closures or engineering works.

By Rail 

Nearest station/tube: Stratford/Stratford International Lee Valley VeloPark is a 15-minute walk from both stations.

Stratford station is served by:
Underground: Jubilee and Central Lines
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
National rail: Abellio Greater Anglia for services to Liverpool Street and Essex and East Anglia
London Overground services

Stratford International station is served by:
Docklands Light Railway (DLR)
National Rail: Southeastern High Speed 1 services to St Pancras International

Useful links:
Transport for London (TfL)
National Rail

By Bus

Several bus routes connect to Stratford and Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park with the key routes being: 388, 308, 339, 97 and N205 which all stop near Lee Valley VeloPark.

TfL map of bus routes from Stratford East Village (bus stops W and X closest to Lee Valley VeloPark).

By Car 

Car parking at Lee Valley VeloPark is limited and we strongly advise travelling by public transport, however if travelling by car is essential we are situated 5 minutes from the A12 and blue badge holder spaces are available.

You will get 4 hours free parking, but you will need to ensure you put your car registration in the designated machine after your race. This machine is located in the finish tunnel, where you collect your post-race goodies, please be sure to access this to avoid a fine.

Please follow the signs to the parking machines and follow the instructions on the machine, otherwise you will receive a fine. You can also park at Westfield next to the Stratford international train station..

By Bike 

There are cycle routes connecting Lee Valley VeloPark to local residential areas as well as the cycle routes through Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. The venue is close to Sustrans National Cycle Network Route 1 and Barclays Cycle Superhighway CS2. Bike racks are available at the venue.

On Foot 

There are good pedestrian links to Lee Valley VeloPark from Westfield Stratford City, Hackney and Leyton.

FAQ's

When will I receive more information about the event?

You will receive all race information, via email, in the week leading up to the event. 

Am I allowed to wear headphones? 

We’d strongly advise against it – the nature of the events means that you need to be aware of your surroundings and be able to hear marshals instructions.

When do entries close before the event? Can I enter on the day? 

Entries will close when the event sells out or on Monday 28 October at midday. You cannot enter on the day. 

I can't make the event, can I have a refund? 

Sorry we do not offer refunds. 

Is the event wheelchair accessible?

Yes, this event is wheelchair accessible and there are accessible changing facilities and toilets at the venue. 

I'm not a very good runner, can I still take part?

Will there be somewhere I can leave my bags?

Please limit the number of belongings you bring to the event. There will be an informal bag drop area within the event village for runners who need it. There are also a number of lockers which can be used on a first come first serve basis.

What time do I need to arrive to the event? 

You can arrive from 13:00pm and recommend you arrive no later than 13:30pm. 

Are there showers available to use at the venue?

Showers are available yes – these aren’t individually sectioned off showers. Male and Female breakdown of course but the showers are open in these areas. Runners will need to bring their own towels and toiletries; the venue do not supply any and you can't hire or buy them on site

I'm not a UCL student, can I still take part?

Students' Union UCL offers the associate and visiting membership programme to welcome a variety of visitors and alumni to give them access to some of our top class services, sports clubs and societies. Whether a student from and other university studying at UCL, or alumni wishing to stay connected with their old society, there is a range of activities you can access with visiting or associate membership. To find out more information please click here. 

What happens if it's raining? 

A little rain won't keep this event from happening! However if weather conditions begin to pose a threat to runner and staff safety, then we are prepared to cancel.

As an example, we would cancel in the following instances:

- If the course is flooded or too icy

- If high winds or other weather conditions may have left some parts of the course unpassable or dangerous.

- If lightning is present or in the vicinity of the event.

Are spectators allowed? Can I just watch?

Yes, there is a spectator point to watch the runners and cheer your friends on.

I can no longer attend, who do I inform? 

If you can no longer attend please email [email protected] to let us know.

If I still have a question, how do I get in touch? 

If you have any questions please contact us at [email protected]

UCL 5km Run Terms and Conditions.pdf

UCL 5km Run Code of Conduct.pdf

UCL 5km Run Wet Weather Policy.pd