The Greenway: Letchworth’s loved runners’ route

Ask any runner or dog walker where the best place for a scenic stroll in Letchworth is, and their answer will be the Greenway. A circular route of 13.6 miles, the Greenway boasts fresh country air, stunning views and even a couple of spots where you can relax and enjoy a picnic if you like. 

A popular yearly event is the Greenway challenge. A self guided half marathon race of the Greenway route. The event draws huge, supportive crowds and usually happens around May. It starts at Standalone Farm, where families, supporters and anyone not running will have the chance to relax at the Greenway cafe and grab a tasty cup of Level Ground joe. If you’d like to take a look at how last year went, you can visit North Herts Road Runners page for highlights from the day here.

You can also check out the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundations’ page for everything there is to see on the Greenway here.

Whatever the season, every Tom, Dick, and ‘Harry’ will be dusting off their running shoes and gracing the Greenway route. We mean this literally; Harry will indeed be lacing up his trainers and inviting runners of all abilities to join him every Sunday at 9am for a 5km route, starting from Vutie Beets/Level Ground co. If you need a little more encouragement, runners will get a whole 50% off their coffee upon their return. Be sure to pop in store or drop us a message if you’d like to come along. 

The other thing any runner in Letchworth will tell you about a running route, is that the best place to finish and take a load off is… Level Ground co. -the place where Harry’s run club will also end. 

With three espresso coffees on offer, and the option to try some of our guest brews on filter, it’s the perfect pick me up to pair with all those endorphins.

Caffeine: Gimmee that buzz

We’ve all been there, absolutely shattered and blindly reaching out to your barista, groaning like a zombie. That first sip of coffee hits your lips and you’ve transcended into awake heaven. Just me? 

Well, caffeine, although great on your average Monday morning slump, is also a fantastic friend to your workout routines. Studies have shown that drinking coffee can increase exercise performance, focus, strength, and speed. That’s right, Level Ground Co could be the location of your superhero origin story. 

To get all technical for you, caffeine is an ergogenic aid (a tool that athletes use to increase energy, performance and recovery). It’s also pretty fast acting, with results being felt anywhere between 5-30 minutes, which can be great if you need a quick spike before a workout. It’s also known to increase the chemical adrenaline, in your body which can help you perform better under pressure, say in a race scenario. What’s more, drinking coffee can actually delay your brain’s response to tiredness because of the way it interacts with your adenosine receptors. 

Now, we’re not saying this is for everyone. For some, caffeine can have adverse effects including trouble sleeping, migraine and an increase in tummy activity- you know what we mean- so it’s best to test out your tolerance to caffeine first if you’re not sure. 

So whether you’re lacing up for Harry’s Sunday 5km or just need a pick-me-up, pop into Level Ground Co.

Author - Natalie Pailing