This beautiful run will take you through the narrow woodland trail that was once a railway line connecting Alexandra Palace with Finsbury Park (or the other way around). If you're starting at Finsbury park, this is also a great start/end (with a caffé in the park) for any North London running adventures (towards Ally Pally or Hampstead Heath).

Hiding under the arches next to the abandoned platforms at Crouch End is the spriggan sculpture by Marilyn Collins. According to the legend, it used to haunt kids back in the day, according to me, the protector of the run to say hi to every time you pass him (•