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WRP London Marathon “Advice service” …. and other free help
| “Another most enjoyable trip with you. As I said last year, your all-embracing support policy is outstanding. Thank you for a great weekend.” |
As a guest of WRP for the 2011 Virgin London Marathon we not only want you to have a relaxed and trouble-free weekend in April but also to feel that throughout the months of build-up to the event you had access to all the help and support that you need.
For many, anxiety arises from fear of the unknown – and that is perfectly understandable.
Often that anxiety can persist over days, even weeks, because the person does not know from where to get help – or, if they do, they are reluctant to do so for fear of embarrassing themselves.
Please, never feel embarrassed about asking for help or advice.
Plenty of others do, so why not you?
Before the event
From the office
Between them, the staff team have completed over 200 marathons all over the world including many “London’s”, none have done less than 5 WRP tours and a number are qualified coaches or race officials.
Do we have a good idea of what happens, how to train etc.? Yes!
Rest assured that there is a mountain of practical experience at the end of the telephone or via an e-mail.
“Thank you so much for all the help and advice for my first marathon. I had an absolutely fabulous weekend. I enjoyed it so much I would like to do it again… but only knowing that I’m with your company!" “For a first-time marathon runner, WRP explained everything we needed to know.” |
It doesn’t matter what aspect you want to ask about or get confirmed, WRP will always try to respond with the answer within one working day – if not immediately.
You have access to that advice from the moment you complete your initial booking right through to the moment you join the start line. (Even then WRP are there to help your supporters!)
There is no need to ever feel alone – share the problem with us. It’s all part of the WRP service!
Either telephone the office (01934-629911) and ask for either John or Malcolm
or: e-mail us at info@wrptours.co.uk
Please put as your subject heading – VLM11 – Advice please
Marathon Jottings
When we issue our “Final details” pack about 6 weeks prior to departure it will make reference to “WRP Marathon Jottings” – a 12 page, A4 booklet about how to organise the last 10 days before the race, what to pack (and why) and advice on how to aid your recovery after the race.
It is available, free of charge, to all WRP guests. Another part of our comprehensive service.
Over race weekend
You have your own WRP staff team in each hotel – just ask them!
Friday morning the 25 strong WRP staff team gather at Novotel London West for a final team meeting. After an early lunch 10 head for Greenwich to lead the Walking Tour of the Start (followed by an escort to Race Registration at the ExCeL Centre.) The rest head to their respective hotels and are then on site from mid-afternoon Friday through until mid-morning on Monday.
Should there be anything that you need at the hotel – contact WRP first as they have direct access to the senior managers.
”Your staff are always “there” throughout the weekend… amazing…. and always full of sensible advice and help. It made for an even better run than expected.” |
Complimentary Walking Tours
The Friday afternoon tour (15.00hrs at Greenwich) focuses upon how the starts works and the early part of the course up to 6 miles. For those who would like it, the WRP guides are happy to escort their groups over to the ExCeL Centre so that runners and their spectators can complete their race registration and visit the Expo when it is relatively quiet.
On Saturday morning there are two identical tours of the Finish at 10.00 and 12.00 which start from Temple Underground Station where the WRP Spectator Service drops the non-runners on race morning. It focuses on how to spectate this race and how to get from this vantage point to the actual finish in The Mall. The guides then explain how that works and how runners and their spectators can reunite successfully.
Both tours offer excellent opportunities to ask questions, resolve concerns or pick up additional tips and information. Having a face-to-face “quiet word” can often be the perfect way to ease a worry – or pick up other ideas from just listening to the conversation in the small group tours. (Average 20 – 25 in each.)
“ I am sure that your staff get asked the same questions 100 times or more – but every time it is answered fully and as though it were the first time they had heard that question. So very, very helpful and genuine.” “I just wanted to express our real thanks for a fantastically organised marathon weekend. We both thoroughly enjoyed it and found the assistance and information provided by WRP to be exceptionally helpful. My husband was running the marathon for the first time and wants his gratitude passed on to your staff at our hotel. They gave him invaluable technical advice and lots of practical support. |
The Race Clinics. In each hotel, Saturday at 17.00 hrs. (Approximate duration: 45 minutes)
There are always late questions (“How do you put this timing chip on – I can’t understand the instructions.”), uncertainties (“how exactly do the drink stations operate?”), worries ( “how can we ensure that we meet up at the finish?”) and requests for last minute advice (“any tips on how to deal with the pain when the going gets tough?).
Our complimentary clinics in each hotel are taken by experienced marathon runners all of whom have successfully run the London Marathon – some over 20 times! They can deal with any queries you can throw at them – as well as give you the very latest weather briefing and how best to cope with what is expected.
“The advice clinic that Gordon did on Saturday afternoon was super for first-time marathon runners. He gave us some really helpful tips. WRP helped to make our whole marathon experience fantastic.” “We had a fantastic weekend and the help and guidance from WRP staff was brilliant.” |
Help and advice for spectators.
Within the “Final Details” pack, spectators will find a 12 page supplement to aid and guide them through race day.
This starts with a complimentary coach transfer to the start along with the runners….
then, after the start….
… an optional / pre-bookable coach transfer from the Start out at Blackheath back into central London. This drops them close to the 24 mile – the starting point of the Walking Tour on Saturday morning.
Just in case any have concerns or worries, WRP staff meet every spectator coach to ensure that everyone is still happy and relaxed – and are happy to offer advice and guidance on where next to go.
“Helpful knowledge and reassuring support. Great to know advice is there if needed. Would definitely use you again.” “We couldn’t have hoped for nicer, friendly and helpful people. Thank you very much for such a great weekend.” “Just a note to say thank you for a really well organised and relaxed trip to London. Everything was so well planned and your staff so helpful if needed.” “Your staff worked tirelessly from start to finish and never seemed to stop making sure that we were all looked after and wanted for nothing. They helped to make our weekend most enjoyable.” “Because of the emotional as well as physical trials that we had to meet as a family I cannot put into words how impressed we all were of WRP who basically took the added worry away from us getting everything together most brilliantly on the day. Your staff were both calming and full of good advice. The weekend was a huge success we raised over £4,000 for our chosen charity and the hotel was excellent, so much so we have all decided to book again with WRP for next year!" “I am writing to express our gratitude for the kindness, help and concern shown by your staff during our stay with you on marathon weekend. During what must have been a demanding weekend for all your staff we were treated personally and nothing was too much trouble. We were treated exceptionally well.” “Excellent trip. Enjoyed it all and would definitely do it again. Please put us all on the provisional list for next year’s marathon with the same hotel arrangements. Your staff couldn’t do enough to help us and encourage and praise.” |
All of the aspects mentioned above are offered complimentary to our guests and are part of your comprehensive WRP package. However, to ensure smooth running and maximum enjoyment, numbers have to be controlled on both walking tours and on the spectator coach service on Sunday. (We have to know how many coaches to order.)
Every guest has an opportunity to book their requirements on our “Late Orders and Requests” form issued with “Final Details" in late February/ early March.