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WRP's weekend at the London Marathon - a Photo diary
The page below aims to give you a photographic "diary" of a typical WRP weekend. Click on the tabs to open up the specific topic that interests you, and then scroll down to view all the photos taken during our 2009 tour.
 A group at Greenwich |
 Isle of Dogs view from Greenwich |
 The Royal Observatory |
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 Number collection |
 "Chipping" |
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 John gives some advice |
 En-route in Victoria Gardens |
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 By the Embankment crossing point |
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 Most meet either at the designated meeting point in Horse Guards Parade |
 ….. or at their own pre-arranged points “Meet and Greet” points in St James’s Park |
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 Malcolm's group |
 Malcolm's group |
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 A prompt departure to the Start: be warned, we don't wait as we have to get to the Start on time! |
 One of Westway’s new coaches safely arrived on Blackheath Common from Novotel Waterloo and runners and spectators now making their way to either Blue, Green or Red stating points. |
 Once all the coaches that are needed for the Spectator Service are parked together the couriers can walk across to watch the build-up to the start. The coach park could not be closer. |
 Some of the 25 WRP staff team including Gerri whose marathon kit bag tells us that she’s running as well! It’s her first one. |
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 Blue Start balloon |
 The start area ready and waiting with banners marking pen numbers |
 Relaxing on Blackheath Common before runners leave to enter secure area |
 More and more keep arriving |
 Entry to Blue secure start; baggage lorries in rear |
 Barriers separate runners inside and spectators outside the secure zone |
 Gates into Greenwich Park closed; 98% of Red line up behind these gates which when opened allow runners to turn sharp left (right as viewed) and approach Red start line 300m further down… |
 …. as you can see here. Hence runners on Red line up in Greenwich Park but start on Blackheath Common. 171 “Fast for age” have separate secure enclosure alongside that 300m strip and so just before the start at 09.45 are fed into this area… ahead of the remainder of the Red Start runners. The gates are then opened and the front pen walked up to the back of the “Fast for age” group |
 Wonder what the collective noun is for a gathering of good marathon runners? |
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 Perhaps that’s where its owners gone! |
 View across Red start into the Red secure area |
 Red baggage lorries |
 Pens are wide and divided by tape and marshals. Entry on far side from secure area where… |
 … marshals check your number is red and that this is your pre-designated starting pen |
 Pens always fill early – from the front |
 Tapes between pens removed before the start so that whole field merges on order of predicted time |
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 Charity runners wait expectantly |
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 Can you spot those who may have sore/ bleeding nipples later as numbers are pinned too high? |
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 “Tickets please”. Legally WRP has to know who is each coach and WRP has to ensure that only those who have pre-booked the service are loaded – otherwise we might run out of seats! |
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 Mile 24: the coaches stop at the top of Arundel Street – only 200m from the course and right outside Nico’s who do coffee, etc. There is also a public toilet. Rob traveled with WRP to run his first “London” and how is working for the first time as a courier. WRP staff meet every spectator coach and check that everyone understands where they are and is happy to now spectate and work their way towards the finish. |
 Nigel and Mike are two of WRP’s most experienced staff with over 30 London Marathon finishes between them plus an intimate knowledge of London; none better to solve those last minute questions. |
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 Down on the course between Temple and Waterloo Bridge - early. The 24 Mile point is just a stroll from where the WRP Spectator Service drops you. |
 Space still available to get a good view! |
 Waiting for the athletes. |
 First the "wheelie's". |
 Then the rest.... |
 ...and even more. Note the 24 Mile point drink station. |
 600M to go |
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 200m – Buckingham Palace |
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 The photograph everyone who started wants! |
 Crossing the line – done it! |
 Trafalgar Square and off back to the hotels |
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 WRP staff on hand to help |
 One of the bag stores for those who cleared their room before they left this morning. (Nice carpet to lie on!) |
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 Boarding starts at 17.30 hrs |
 … and has to depart at 18.00 hrs to meet tachograph regulations |
 Kim will find that 20 minutes after leaving up to 80% of the passengers will be fast asleep! |
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 All present and correct and time to leave for home! |
