Thousands runners will be cheered on through the streets of London this morning by up to 750,000 spectactors and here is your guide to the best spots to watch on from
A record 56,000 participants are heading to the TCS London Marathon start line this morning looking to fulfil dreams or chase new personal bests – and they will be cheered on by an estimated 750,000 spectators through the streets of the capital from Greenwich to the Mall.
For previous participants, the course remains unchanged. For those looking to complete the 26.2 mile challenge for the first time, here is your guide to the course – and the best spots for family and friends to watch.
As usual the marathon will have separate colour-coded start lines in Greenwich, before the runners come together on one route in Woolwich just under three miles in. The opening miles are downhill and first-timers often make the mistake of going out too hard only for it to cost them later.
Once they have settled into their pace, the runners then pass the Cutty Sark around the six mile mark. This is always an iconic moment that features heavily in television montages – and the crowds are usually six or seven deep. Next up is a trip through Surrey Quays and Canada Water, where the crowds are sometimes less impressive.
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But they will soon be approaching another landmark when they cross the River Thames at Tower Bridge before reaching the halfway mark soon after. London’s Docklands is the next landmark, with the runners then completing a lap of the Isle of Dogs when the pain often begins to set in.
This area is usually the least thronged in terms of supporters, too, but can be an ideal viewing spot for those who find big crowds uncomfortable.
First-time runners should also beware that their GPS watch is likely to go askew when weaving through the Canary Wharf towers – but do not panic, it happens to everyone.
The 20-mile mark – usually hailed as when the race really begins for the elites – is reached near the Poplar DLR station before the runners head towards Limehouse.
The course then heads back to the Tower of London, which runners will pass just before the 23-mile mark. They will then run past London Bridge before St Paul’s Cathedral looms large in the background to their right.
As they follow the river, runners will see the London Eye to their left before cutting away from the water in Westminster. On the right side of the Embankment they will have a constant stream of people, often four or five deep, cheering incessantly, giving them a final push towards the finish line.
They will then turn onto The Mall at Buckingham Palace, where the marathon will finally end. Following the race, runners can meet up with family and friends in the areas around Buckingham Palace with an alphabetical signage system in place. Decide on a letter before the race.
