If you're a Londoner, you know about the divide.
Maybe it's the architecture, the transport, or something your dad said when you were six. Whatever it is, you've picked your side:
North or South.
The unspoken rivalry runs through London like the Thames itself. Whispered in pub corners, muttered under breath on Tube carriages, and etched into those "we really must visit soon" texts.
Each side thinks they're on the winning team.
North Londoners pretend not to notice when they venture south house-hunting; South Londoners feign indifference when they cross the river for, well, just about everything else.
Which side of London is better? It's a debate that could go on forever.
Let's settle it with a race.
40 Runners
20 team north
20 team south
alexandra palace
crystal palace
12 FINISH blocks
(10Minutes APART)
1 POINT PER BLOCK
MORE FINISHERS = WIN THE BLOCK
SAME NUMBER = SPLIT THE POINT
NO FINISHERS = NO POINTS
EVERY FINISH MATTERS
12 POINTS UP FOR GRABS
BONUS 3 POINTS =
TEAM THAT RAISES THE MOST MONEY
Example finishes
01:30:00-01:39:59
1 Point
team south
02:20:00-02:29:59
0.5 points
each
02:50:00-03:00:00
1 point
team north
a race against each other,
in aid of everyone
Despite the rivalry, whatever side of the river we are,
we are all Londoners.
All money raised by The Pally Pally will go to the Evelina Children’s Hospital charity and Great Ormond Street Hospital, two incredible organisations whose vital work helps hundreds of children each year across London, the UK, and beyond.
Our goal is to raise £10k in year one, or £250 per contestant. The Pally Pally is a race to raise money for all children, no matter their condition, and so the monies raised will be split equally between both charities and donated wherever the need is greatest. This includes things like buying the latest equipment, investing in world-leading research, or improving facilities for all families in their care.
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Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity. Registered charity no. 1160024.
the story
Seven years ago, when I moved to London I never imagined how grateful I'd be for its children's hospitals. In July 2024, that changed when our 18-month-old son suddenly fell ill.
By November, he was diagnosed with Glycogen Storage Disease, a rare genetic condition affecting his liver's ability to regulate blood sugar. It requires round-the-clock monitoring and careful carbohydrate management to prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
While our son's rare condition remains at the heart of our family's journey, our experiences in various children's wards over the past year have really changed how I see the world. Every day I feel acutely aware of the difficult situations young children and their families face in hospital but also equally inspired, knowing there are so many incredible people out there determined to help them.
Since our first stay in the hospital, I've been trying to think of ways I could help, too.
One day over Christmas, whilst I was running in Crystal Palace, in the distance I could just make out Alexandra Palace on the opposite side of the city. I wondered how far it was. When I got home, a quick search revealed that it was almost 13 miles exactly. And that was it. In my head, "The Pally Pally" was born.
I hope the race can in some way be a representation of what my experience of London has been: competitive, but compassionate; fierce, but friendly; sharp-edged, but soft-hearted. I hope the money raised from the event will go some way to expressing my gratitude for the incredible care we have been so fortunate to receive, help children like my son by making their hospital stays more comfortable, and give hope to the many parents out there by letting them know that whatever they are going through, they're not alone.
Thank you for your support; it means the world.
Ben