Home Run, the innovative new commuting concept has launched three new routes. Now servicing the City of London, Home Run will take commuters on a very scenic journey home from Bank to Waterloo and then on to Clapham Junction.
Home Run (homerunlondon.com) is a series of guided runs home from central London helping commuters to avoid the crush and “get fit, get home” … and they even carry your bag for you!
| “The concept is designed to save the most valuable of all commodities: time, as well as being accessible, non-intimidating and easy to join.” |
With bank staff being told to work from home and Games gridlock being widely predicted, London needs innovative and alternative transport solutions and Home Run fits the bill.
Since launching in June, Home Run has grown from strength to strength encouraging Londoners to take to their feet to get home. The initiative has attracted hundreds to sign up and a whole network of Home Runs is being planned. Home Run founder Diccon Loy stated, “The transport system in London is on a one-way street to even greater levels of congestion in 2012. What better way of helping to alleviate transport congestion, increase sports participation and get home feeling invigorated rather than frustrated, than joining us on a Home Run.”
One of the first to experience Home Run was city worker Sidney Cole, who stated, "Home Run is a great way of keeping fit, rediscovering London and getting home. It's a no-brainer, try it!" The new Bank to Clapham Junction route starts Tuesday 4th October and takes in the sights of the City, the Thames and the beauty of Battersea Park.
The routes, which also currently include Waterloo to Clapham Junction and Charing Cross to Clapham Common are generally between 2 to 6 miles in length and aimed at beginner and intermediate runners. Most Home runners take between 50 to 70+ minutes to travel the full distance from Bank to Clapham Junction; whilst the equivalent journey by more conventional means may be quicker, it won’t have included an hour’s workout.
Home Run is not timed, not a race and caters for all running abilities with small groups of similar paced commuters running together. Running jargon is banned, and the atmosphere relaxed and friendly. “We want to break down the barriers to sport participation;” Diccon Loy explains, “the concept is designed to save the most valuable of all commodities: time, as well as being accessible, non-intimidating and easy to join.”
If you are not a seasoned runner there is plenty of scope for you to slowly build up your distance travelled. The Home Run routes follow the tube lines, so if fatigued you can simply jump on the tube, train or bus at the next station and continue to collect your bag at the end destination (which is always near a public transport station). The bags are taken to the destination either by specially designed bicycles or Streetcars, creating a very environmentally friendly commute.
Unlike many other rush hour modes of transport, the one thing you can bank on is that your journey will start on time.
Tuesday 4th October 2011:
- Home Run – Bank to Clapham Junction (start 6pm)
- Home Run – Bank to Waterloo (start 6pm)
- Home Run – Waterloo to Clapham Junction (start 6.30pm)
Wednesday 5th October 2011:
- Home Run – Charing Cross to Clapham Common (start 6pm)
Check out homerunlondon.com to find out more and to book in
