print version
spectators time table
Supporters' Guide
This proposal is made for fans, who are going to meet their runners as
often and easy as possible.
Those who want to see their runner 3 or 4 times on route don't have a
comfortable job. Your chase could easily result in stress. Accurate
planning and personal calmness is helpful.
Above all you better avoid places where the crowds usually choose to
gather. That is: In Greenwich the area around the Cutty Sark (museum
sailor), the Tower Bridge (northern half) and the finish part from Big
Ben to Buckingham Palace. However, if you don't aim to follow your
runner but want to dive into the great atmosphere of the enthusiastic
masses these are just the right places for you.
The Suggested Route
Certainly this is just one of countless ways to follow your runner. Of
course I have to advise that my despriction is shown without any
responsibility for the correctness and subject to ongoing breakdowns.
Travelling through London you have to be aware of sudden interferencies.
Whole stations could be closed due to overcrowding, bomb threat or
robbery. Connections could be cancelled or your train could pass your
destination without stopping. Best you look up the London Transport
website before leaving for your London weekend. Probably there will be
published final information regarding the London Marathon.
(for all necessary hyperlinks see below).
I discourage supporters from travelling to the start venue. The check-in
area is open just for runners. Spectators trail away somewhere in the
vast place and the atmosphere is slightly tense and cool. You better
make your way straight to Greenwich.
1st Viewpoint: Greenwich, Creek Road (Mile 6.7/
K 10.8)
station: Greenwich (Docklands Light Railway)
Take Docklands Light Railway, the elevated train, you already used to
visit the exhibition, to get to Greenwich Station (direction Lewisham).
I won't leave at Cutty Sark Station as this tends to be crowded and has
temporarily been closed in former years.
To avoid the biggest masses take the footbridge to cross the track and
walk along Tarves Way, Haddo Street, Bardsley Lane and Norway Street to
reach Creek
Road in about 10 minutes. From here you can try to approach Greenwich
Centre (towards the runners) as far as you don't have to stay in the
third row.
For 2nd viewpoint walk back to Greenwich Station and go on
for 7 stations by
DLR to Canary Wharf.
Alternative 1st viewpoint: Bermondsey, Jamaica
Road (Mile 11.6/ K 18.7)
Station: Bermondsey (Jubilee Line)
This is for those who prefer the calmer places. The underground will be
less crowded and along the route you won't have a problem to stand in
front at the pavement.
From here to the 2nd viewpoint you go by Jubilee Line in just 5 minutes
to Canary Wharf (direction Stratford).
2nd viewpoint: Isle of Dogs, Canary Wharf,
South and North
Colonnade (Mile 19/ K 30)
station: Canary Wharf (Docklands Light Railway)
The marathon route is just below the station. You will aready spot the
runners when approaching by the elevated DLR (see map linked below).
Thanks to the route changes 2005 spectators can now spot their runners
several times in this area. Therefore Canary Wharf is expected to become
one of the really crowded places. Anyway, it is worth to try.
To get to the 3rd viewpoint again take the DLR to the
terminal Bank only. Leaving the station walk for 150 yards along King William Street
to Underground station Monument (see map). Here enter District Line
or Circle Line (direction westbound) for 5 stations to
Embankment.
3rd viewpoint: Strand, Embankment (Mile 25,
K
40.2)
station: Embankment (Circle Line, District Line)
The route is directly at the foot of the station, along the Thames
promenade Embankment.
Having seen your runner happily passing by you can easily walk to the
rear part of the finish area. Walk for 600 yards along Northumberland Avenue
to Trafalgar
Square and turn left into The Mall.
It would be a good idea to arrange an accurate meeting point, preferably
somewhere in St. James Park. Here the runner can relax on the grass and
enjoy being looked after by his supporters.
|