Tuesday, February 07, 2012

London Marathon 2012 Wk 15: Beckton Alps

Training run of the week was on Saturday just before the heavy snow. I had to keep running for 1 Hour 40 minutes. I decided to go south along the Greenway (Northern Sewer outlet) towards the Thames. I joined the Greenway near Newham General Hospital going past West Ham FC fans who were quite happy following their win in the local derby with Millwall FC. 

At the junction with the A13 the Greenway seemed to stop. I was not sure what to do so I decided to carry out a long time ambition and go to the top of Beckton Alps. I have driven past the "Alps" many times. Its actually the spoil heap from the Beckton Gas works which use to be on the site. It is supposed to be the highest point in Newham and the highest artificial hill in London.

The gas works themselves were used to film the final battle scenes of "Full Metal Jacket". Afterwards I ran home past St Marys Magdelene (the oldest Norman Church in London whose vicar is the Councillor Rev. Quintin Peppiatt!) then across Central Park and the back streets to home taking 1 Hour 41 minutes.

I am running the London marathon in April 2012 while sort of using the official advanced training programme and will be raising funds for Homeless charity for Young People "Alone in London". Click here to sponsor me.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why don't they re-open the dry Ski slope?

I remember, they dumped a lot of household rubbish to make this hill....

John Gray said...

nonsense anon it was spoil from the gas works?

Who are "they"?

Top Banana said...

Hi John, I have an idea for 'Beckton Alps' which I believe to be beneficial to all concerned.
I would love to meet up with you to discuss this further.
Thank you
Lenny Newton

John Gray said...

Hi Lenny

Best to speak to the local beckton ward councillors first. Check out the LBN Cllr website after 22 May.