Run Fatboy Run

Preparations for a wedding. 21 Meynell Crescent, London E9.

Looking north from the edge of the common. SJ

Guests head for the church. St. John of Jerusalem Church, South Hackney E9, looking over Well Street Common from Meynell Crescent.

I was impaired by low direct winter sun here so settled for a view of the church from the common. SJ

The bride Libby (Thandiwe Newton) is left in the lurch. Meynell Crescent.

A decent tree match here. SJ

Unable to face marrying his pregnant girlfriend, Dennis (Simon Pegg) runs off. Heading east down Meynell Crescent.

The crescent curves off to the left into Meynell Road with flats on Gascoyne Road in the far distance. SJ

5 years later, Dennis, now a security guard, chases a shoplifter. Spitalfields Market, Brushfield Street, London E1.

Looking east from the south side of the market. SJ

The chase continues through the shopping centre. 35 Brushfield Street.

The Rabbitwoman and Dogman in a Vespa sculpture by Gillie and Marc dominates this view now. SJ

Being unfit for the chase, he lets the shoplifter get away with a bra. The lingerie shop is at 43 Brushfield Street, judging by the view through the window.

With the awnings up but there's an evident match on the far left. SJ

Dennis makes his way home.

Trudge, trudge...

Home for Dennis is 73 Sandringham Road, Dalston, London E8.

A less orange shot looking north from in front of St Mark's Dalson. SJ

The view from Libby’s door as Dennis comes to pick up his son Jake (Matthew Fenton) for a theatre trip. Meynell Crescent E9.

The best one can manage without trespass. SJ

Dennis has failed to get the tickets and he and Jake are arrested for attempting to use a tout. Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Catherine Street W2.

Theatre Royal Drury Lane at street level in daylight. (SR)

Libby arrives at the police station to retrieve Jake.

Talking to Libby’s new boyfriend Whit (Hank Azaria), Dennis learns that he has a well-paid job, and is training to run a marathon. Helpful street signs identify the junction of Lafone Street and Shad Thames SE1.

Away from the hordes of tourists at Tower Bridge. SJ

As he returns, Dennis recalls happier times spent with Libby. Roedean Beach, just east of Brighton in East Sussex. (SD)

The beach is adjacent to the east arm of Brighton Marina. (SD)

Dennis visits his pal Gordon, who works as a piano restorer. Looking east from 56 Grimsby Street E2.

Complete reconstruction on the RHS.

Dennis jogs through the park. Hampstead Heath.

And our Denis Hoare strolled back to the park to take this shot of the tree for us. (RL)

He ventures into the city to track down Whit. The view across the Thames from the south of Tower Bridge.

The difference is quite staggering in only 15 or so years. SJ

Whit works in the Gherkin building. 30 St Mary Axe, London EC3, also seen in 'King of Thieves' and 'Match Point'.

This is taken from Undershaft looking east. The one way sign acquired its "Except cycles" addition in the mid 2010s. SJ

Dennis visits Libby at her shop. 106 Columbia Road, London E2.

From ground level looking north-east. SJ

At Libby’s Nice buns, Dennis pledges to run a marathon to win Libby back. 106 Columbia Road, London E2.

On the corner with Ravenscroft Road. SJ

Dressed in his running gear, Dennis limbers up. Sandringham Road, Dalston, London E8.

Looking east. SJ

He doesn’t get very far. Around 91 Sandringham Road facing west.

The red-topped front wall belongs to 97 Sandringham Road on the corner of Abersham Road. SJ

Whit joins Dennis to take Jake out. Meynell Crescent, Hackney, London E9.

No. 21 with the tree in front. SJ

Whit and Dennis walk with Jake. The junction of Quilter Street and Ravenscroft Street E2.

There was no avoiding the post (supporting a dead end for traffic sign) which has moved from the corner of the pavement to the wall. SJ

As they walk, Whit tells Dennis he would need sponsorship to run the marathon. Columbia Road facing west, with Columbia School to the right.

The decorative mural is still there but a new tower has appeared on the skyline. SJ

Dennis, Libby and Whit take Jake to the model boating pond on Hampstead Heath. Whit shows off his expensive pirate ship.

Denis Hoare provides this comparative shot advising that the pond was widened on this side in 2016, the original bank now pushed back about 40 feet or so, and a wildlife reserve island added, part of a larger plan to improve flood defences. This photo is on the location of the bank as it was before the widening. (RL)

Dennis is accompanied on his training by Gordon (Dylan Moran) and Mr. Goshdashtidar aka "Gosh"(Harish Patel), his landlord. Quilter Street E2, facing west.

We've been here before for "The Chain," "The Firm" (1988) and "Secrets & Lies." SJ

He runs along the Regent's Canal towpath, passing Regent Studios in Andrews Road E8.

A popular spot for mooring. (SR)

Dennis pauses under a bridge on Regent's Canal. Pritchard's Road Bridge E2.

The graffiti has spread. (SR)

Dennis runs a slalom along some bollards. Wellington Row E2 facing west, with Brabner House to the left.

This run parallel to, and immediately south of, Quilter Street. SJ

His personal trainers look on from across the street. Numbers 35 and 37 Wellington Row E2.

New paint jobs for the doors. SJ

Dennis reaches Code Street E1, at the corner of Allen Gardens.

Just east of Brick Lane. To the left is the former Shoreditch underground station which closed in 2006 and featured prominently in "Tube Tales." SJ

More training in Well Street Common. The wooden equipment was replaced around 2016 with metal bars that exist today.

Looking east to the metal bars today with the backs of houses on Groombridge Road visible to the right in winter. SJ

Dennis runs up some steps on a trail in Hampstead Heath.

Encouraged by 'Dennis' running up the steps, Denis Hoare proved that he could do that too. Known locally as ‘Giant’s Steps’, this is a non-surfaced path right at the top of the south facing side of Parliament Hill. Due to the increased growth of bushes either side, he took this shot slightly off angle in order to get the tree-arched entrance in the background in shot, as per the original screenshot. (RL)

Gosh joins in the training. The houses on Meynell Crescent can be seen in the background.

Looking north on Well Street Common. SJ

Dennis reaches the top of Parliament hill while training and enjoys the view of London.

Denis found that the growth of the trees bushes has somewhat restricted the view compared to when the film was made, but the running track at the bottom can still be seen, although now with a gray surface rather than red as show in the original screenshot. (RL)

Dennis and Gordon prepare to attend Libby's birthday party. No. 1 West India Quay, 26 Hertsmere Road, Canary Wharf, London, E14.

'Layer Cake' featured a scene during its construction. Also seen in 'Hatton Garden Job.' SJ

Dennis leaves dejected after Libby accepts Whit’s marriage proposal at the party.

I think there must have been further construction as I couldn't match up the view from Westferry in the West India Dock/Garford Street area, so I took this at what looks like the right angle but a lot closer. Any improvement is welcome. SJ

Finding that Jake has run away from Libby, Dennis runs to look for him.

He finds Jake on Parliament Hill in need of some cheering up.

The increased foliage on the left obscures the view of London these days, alhough Denis admits that this might not be the right bench. There are many benches here, some have been renewed, and due to many people using the heath and these benches, including a film crew using the bench he firstly wanted to photograph, it wasn’t possible to improve and get a 100% matched shot. In addition, some of the benches have been repositioned and the increased foliage would probably make an exact match impossible. (RL)

Dennis has been thrown out of his flat and goes to Gordon's place. Jellicoe House, Ropley Street E2.

Looking west near the corner of the top end of Columbia Road. SJ

Morning breaks on the day of the marathon. A view towards Canary Wharf.

John Harwood worked his drone here twice once in Aug '23 and this clearer shot the next year to capture the acceleration of development. (SJ)

Tower Bridge, where the marathon is due to start.

Taken from Potters' Fields. SJ

Dennis oversleeps, and runs to get a cab to the starting point.

The cab is on its way to the start.

The taxi runs into traffic as it passes The Cooperage, 6 Gainsford Street SE1.

Much more glassed in on the right hand side. SJ

The cab comes to a complete stop in Horseleydown Lane SE1.

Bad timing with refurbishment on the right meaning a restricted comparison. SJ

Dennis jumps out of the cab and runs toward the starting point. Horseleydown Lane.

It gets worse (see above) but at least I managed to capture the Anchor Tap on the left/Pegg's right. SJ

He heads for the race start. Tower Bridge Road SE1.

I waited for quite a while as this stairway was a constant stream, and this was my best shot without too many obstructions. SJ

Crowds of spectators and competitors have gathered around City Hall, as viewed from Tower Bridge.

The original was probably taken from the gantry above but here's a lower shot from the City side of Tower Bridge. SJ

Dennis has reached the start.

Taken from an elevated position above the Queen's Walk just to the south to compensate crane-lack. SJ

After running a short distance, Dennis is sent crashing to the ground.

This is south of the Hungerford Bridge. Very tricky to match amid the bustle of stalls, open air acts and visitors but an out of season shot from further back and more to the left would benefit. SJ

Seeing the fall on the TV, Libby and Jake rush to the hospital.

Gosh rushes to Dennis's aid on his scooter. Ezra Street E2, looking east. Also seen in 'Pierrepoint', 'The Krays', 'Mr Jolly Lives Next Door', and 'The Missionary'. (SR)

He motors along a back street.

Dennis has refused to go to hospital and carries on with a broken ankle, crossing Waterloo Bridge with Somerset House in the background.

I should a little further to the north-west. SJ

Dennis continues across Waterloo Bridge towards the South Bank.

A dramatic change to the skyline in so short a time. The Leadenhall Building, aka the Cheesegrater, at this angle from the western-most point of Hungerford Bridge, now obscures 30 St Mary Axe, aka the Gherkin, part of which was visible on the far right of the original. SJ

Gordon and his friends head off in a taxi. Grimsby Street E2 facing west. The street also appears in 'Tube Tales', 'Bartleby' and 'Shirley Valentine'

A different look nowadays.

Dennis reaches Hungerford Bridge, with the Royal Horseguards Hotel over the river.

A gloomier dusk in autumtn. SJ

As he crosses Albert Bridge to Battersea SW15, he has picked up an army of followers.

Libby and Jake leave the hospital after finding not Dennis but Whit, who was feigning injury.

Dennis continues past the London Peace Pagoda in Battersea Park SW11.

Albert Bridge less visible without its lights on and is that a Simon Pegg impersonater in the picture? (SR)

Dennis hits "the wall" in Battersea Park. He eventually gathers enough strength to carry on.

He heads north over Millennium Bridge with Tate Modern, Bankside SE1, in view behind him.

Busier during the day. SJ

The end is in sight as Dennis climbs Peter's Hill towards St. Paul's Cathedral EC4.

Rather a splendid sight. SJ

Hardly anyone is around as the finishing post is reached late at night. St. Paul's Churchyard EC4.

Slightly off angle without the height. SJ

Libby and Jake are waiting at the finish. Looking out at Ludgate Hill EC4.

No1 St. Paul's Churchyard. SJ

In the finale, Gordon is enjoying his winnings from side betting on the race, and is regaling young ladies with the tale. This is pontoon 25 on the east jetty of Brighton Marina. (SD)

Viewed from the the east arm of Brighton Marina. (SD)