London has a new place to run and it puts a whole new spin on the phrase runner’s high. This is the brand new rooftop running track at the White Collar Factory in Old Street, London. Usually closed to the public, I got the rare chance stretch my legs for some skyline miles at the launch of Stance Socks FEEL360 socks. Here’s what it was like.
I’ve run in some interesting and epic places, including on Sahara desert dunes, up mountains, in heat chambers and wind tunnels and even under water, but this is the first time I’ve clocked up a timed mile on a rooftop running track. The new 150 metre loop on the sixteenth floor of the White Collar Factory in London’s Old Street is every bit as amazing as these photos look. Billed as London’s highest running track, the two lane twisting circuit comes with stunning 360 views of the London skyline, flashing by as you run.
We slipped on some @StanceSocks FEEL360 and were challenged to run a fast mile, that’s 12 dizzying laps of the winding track that hairpin bends and even its very own chicane. The views aren’t uninterrupted, for safety there’s a perimeter wall with porthole windows that peer out into the London night. But that doesn’t make it any less spectacular. On a brisk, fresh wintery evening it was exhilarating to whizz past London’s sparkling skyline at 7:47 min/mile pace and it’s was spectacular. You get crystal clear views of the Shard and the city and what felt like much fresher air than you breath down on Silicone Roundabout itself (though that might be wishful thinking).
Would I want to run here everyday? Well, if I’m being honest, while I’d love to say this’d be a great place to lose yourself for a training run, I’m not sure how many miles I’d like to do here, a cheeky 5km might be as much as your head – and stomach – can take. Though while I was doing my laps, I couldn’t help thinking what it’d be like to do 100 mile ultra up here. Anyone who fancies giving that a go might need some excellent negotiation skills because the buildings owners aren’t planning on opening this track to the public? Only the lucky employees who end up working for Adobe in this building will get to run on the track so it was a real treat to experience it.
Watch: what it’s like to run on London’s new rooftop running track with Stance Socks
And what about the Stance FEEL360 Socks? Any good?
Like most running products the Stance FEEL360 make a big claim. The proprietary fibre treatment promises to ‘change the way your feet feel socks’. Add to that some bacteria-killing silver ions and some special twisted yarn for more mileage and, it’s all true, you should have a pair of excellent running socks. But is it? I’ve been amazed by the rise of Stance, the brand has done a fantastic job of cementing a place in the hearts of the urban running crowd, not least because they’ve made running socks look interesting. With their high and mid-length cut and creative, colourful designs, Stance socks are statement socks but I’m honestly more interested in whether I get blisters.
Cards on the table, the go-to socks in my running kit for 5 years have been X-Bionic X Socks. They’ve kept me blister free for 28 marathons, including the Marathon des Sables where I was the only one in my tent who didn’t visit the famous Doc Trotters for treatment (Google it, but not while you’re eating). I’ve run 100 mile ultra in them with not problems. So Stance has a lot to live up to.
The first thing to say about Stance is that the different lengths might not appeal to everyone. I’m personally not a fan of mid-length or calf covering socks. I like mine low and barely visible, you know with a bit of my pretty ankles showing. In terms of comfort, when you first slip them on they feel noticeable thicker than some of the cheaper Nike, Adidas socks you can buy and that extra padding gives a soft cushioned feel.
Do the change the way my feet feel socks? Well, I wouldn’t say that entirely but then I don’t really want to feel my socks. A bit like my running shoes, I want running socks that disappear when I put them on. If they’re doing the job right they should be offering invisible comfort, blister prevention without me knowing I’m even wearing sock. The good news for Stance is that the FEEL360 pull this off nicely. Since running the rooftop running track mile at the White Collar Factory I’ve worn them for a couple of 10ks and an 18 mile run and had no problems at all with them. Is it enough to convince me to ditch my beloved X-Socks? Not yet. But it has given me options.
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