Running remains an incredibly popular fitness activity, and with so many benefits, it’s easy to see why. This cardiovascular exercise can boost heart health and bone strength while assisting with weight management.

As we approach the warmer months, there has never been a better time to launch your running journey. This leads to the question: Which UK city is best for runners?

To explore this, we at Mirafit created an index that ranks UK cities based on three factors: the number of parks, running clubs, and sports shops in each destination. Each location was scored out of 120 and ranked accordingly.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into the top ten UK cities for runners!

What Was Our Methodology?

We wanted to uncover the best cities in the UK for runners, so we examined three factors.

The total number of parks was obtained through TripAdvisor, running clubs were sourced from RunTogether, and the number of sports shops was sourced through Yell.

Each city was then given a score out of 120 and ranked according to the results.

The Top Ten Cities For Runners

Position	City	# of Parks	# of Run Clubs	# of Sports Shops	Score /120
1	Manchester	20	65	46	112
2	London	235	21	78	110
3	Birmingham	37	25	43	110
4	Leeds	18	70	20	104
5	Bristol	19	34	24	102
6	Bradford	12	64	18	98
7	Liverpool	29	5	29	95
8	Glasgow	37	0	39	93
9	Sheffield	19	11	23	93
10	Plymouth	22	44	8	93

Manchester is the Best City in the UK for Runners

In first place, ranking as the best UK city for runners is Manchester, with the city scoring a whopping 112 points in total. The location’s wide array of pedestrian-only zones and scenic running routes make it a go-to spot for some cardio.

The city boasts 20 parks, including Heaton Park and Alexandra Park, which are the most popular. Additionally, there are 65 running clubs to join throughout Manchester and 46 different sports shops available, where runners can pick up some fitness equipment when necessary. Overall, Manchester proves to be a great city for runners.

2 - London, Greater London

London is second in the ranking, with the capital city scoring 110 points. Runners in the city are spoilt for choice when choosing a route, with many green spaces and scenic routes along the River Thames.

Altogether, London has 235 parks, the most of any city in the UK. Hyde Park and Richmond Park are two extremely popular running spots, allowing people to engage in exercise while enjoying nature. Furthermore, London offers 21 running clubs and 78 sports shops.

3 - Birmingham, West Midlands

Ranking in third place is Birmingham, the West Midlands city also scored 110 points. The city’s combination of parks, canals and towpaths offers runners a wide variety of running locations, making it a great destination for this popular cardio exercise.

Birmingham has 37 parks in total, including Sutton Park, Europe’s largest urban park. There are also 25 running clubs to get involved with and 43 sports shops to provide runners with essential equipment. Overall, Birmingham is a wonderful city offering runners a bit of everything.

4 - Leeds, West Yorkshire

In fourth position is Leeds, with the Yorkshire city scoring 104 points and ranking as another top UK destination for running fanatics. The city is noted for its diverse routes, with canals, parks and trails all found throughout this bustling destination, offering people plenty of options when mapping out their next run.

The data revealed that Leeds boasts 18 parks, including Roundhay Park and Golden Acre Park and an incredible 70 running clubs, allowing runners to socialise with like-minded individuals while engaging in exercise. Additionally, Leeds also has 20 sports shops within a five mile radius of the city centre.

5 - Bristol, Bristol

Rounding off the top five cities is Bristol, the south-west city scored 102 points. Bristol offers runners some incredibly scenic views, such as the Avon Gorge and Clifton Downs. These routes make Bristol a unique spot for a run, providing an incredible backdrop during exercise.

In total, Bristol offers 34 running clubs, with plenty of groups looking for members. There are also 19 parks and 24 sports shops, meaning the city provides everything a runner needs to launch their fitness journey. From the scenic views to healthy levels of runners in the city, Bristol is another top destination in the UK for this exercise.

6 - Bradford, West Yorkshire

In sixth position and the second West Yorkshire city to feature in the top ten is Bradford, with the city scoring 98 points out of a possible 120. Unlike most locations in this ranking, Bradford provides a combination of woodlands and open terrain, allowing runners to engage in trail running should they wish to increase the difficulty or intensity.

Overall, Bradford is home to 12 parks, such as Myrtle Park, and 64 running clubs - one of the highest in the UK. Should runners need some replacement gear, there are also 18 sports shops dotted throughout the destination.

7 - Liverpool, Merseyside

Moving on, Liverpool is in seventh position, scoring 95 points in total. The Merseyside city offers scenic routes along the Royal Albert Dock and various high-quality parks for running fanatics.

Stanley Park, Sefton Park, and Everton Park are just three examples of the 29 scattered throughout the city. These allow runners to map out various routes and keep their routines feeling fresh. In Liverpool, there are also 5 running clubs and 29 sports shops, including JD and Sports Direct.

8 - Glasgow, Glasgow City

Glasgow is the first Scottish city to feature. The destination placed eighth with a score of 93 out of 120 points. Famed for its feisty football teams, Glasgow is also a wonderful location for a run, with many scenic routes, parks, and a combination of rough and fair terrain.

Overall, runners in Glasgow can use the city’s 37 parks, including Pollok Park and Glasgow Green. Additionally, 39 sports shops are on hand for anyone needing replacement running gear.

9 - Sheffield, South Yorkshire

Nearing the end of our ranking, Sheffield places ninth, scoring 93 points out of 120. This city offers green spaces, scenic routes with rivers and various running clubs, providing runners with the platform to engage in their favourite exercises.

There are 19 parks in total in Sheffield, but the city is also in close proximity to the Peak District for more advanced runners seeking a challenging trail. Furthermore, Sheffield also boasts 11 running clubs and 23 sports shops.

10 - Plymouth, Devon

Finally, completing the ranking as the tenth-best UK city for runners is Plymouth. Located in Devon, the city scored 93 points, tying with Sheffield and Glasgow. Plymouth is known for its natural beauty, with various coastal paths, such as Plymouth Hoe, offering breathtaking views.

The city records a total of 22 parks, such as Dartmoor National Park, which provides a great environment for a quick run. Additionally, runners can find 8 sports shops within a five-mile radius of the city centre or opt to join one of Plymouth’s 44 running clubs.

Overall, our exploration into the top UK destinations for runners has yielded some fascinating results.

While we expected to see some heavy hitters such as Manchester, London and Birmingham perform well, we were pleasantly surprised at Bradford and Plymouth’s offerings, emerging as two hidden gems for running fans. Inspired? Check out our range of Conditioning equipment to improve your running.

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