Ran the Madrid half earlier this year with a group of strangers, it was one of the best weekends I've had
I love running in London, I’m based East so have access to Vicky Park and Hackney Marshes, beautiful running routes. But I also love running in new places, so my brother and I have spent the last few months building something we really wanted to exist: weekend trips to European cities, timed around half marathons, with the emphasis firmly on the social side.
The idea is pretty simple. A lot of us want to run races in cool places, but either don't have people to go with, or the logistics of organising it all put us off. So we (Stride Tours) sort everything out (accommodation, race entry, group meals, a shakeout run the day before, post-race celebrations, guides (us), ice cream, Uber vouchers), and people just book and show up. Only thing left to sort is flights.
Our first trip was to Madrid and honestly it exceeded every expectation. About 25 people, most of whom had never met, ran the half together, spent the afternoon sipping drinks in the sun and eating tapas, then had a proper celebration in the eve.
It really was so much fun, and we've now got Porto and Bilbao lined up later this year, with loads more in the pipeline for 2027. Loosely aimed at people in their 20s–40s, all abilities, who fancy a weekend away, not just a race.
Happy to answer questions, either about how it works in general or just what Madrid was like. Thought this community might find it interesting given how often I see people talking about different races outside London.