The weekend programme: Sunday - WRP Coach transfer from hotel to the start
“The coach to the start was, for me, a Godsend – I would not have wanted to make my own way there. You offer so many facilities over the weekend that I did not get to use them all – but that was down to me! I think that your organization and all that you offer as the marathon package is excellent. Many thanks.” (Cancer Research UK) "I would recommend you to others who would like a hassle-free marathon experience. Your coach service to the start was THE most important reason for me to book with you – plus the fantastic location of Novotel Tower Bridge!” (Hospice) “One should not laugh at others misfortune but seeing some VERY late arrivals scrambling for their coach as it was about to leave was quite comical. Our courier took the opportunity to explain that the times were critical due to police road closures on part of our route. We left EXACTLY on time and fully loaded – very impressive and re-assuring.” |
How many seats required?
Everyone booked with WRP (both runners and spectators) is automatically entitled to a have the coach transfer to the start.
However, it is possible that for various reasons some of the non-runners in their party will NOT want to get up that early and go out to Blackheath.
So, in early March, on your “Late Orders and Requests” form, we will ask you to confirm your seat requirements.
WRP only take two coaches to London so for 99% of the tour party we hire coaches from Westway and Redwing – two of the elite coach companies in London. We would be surprised if the vehicle that takes you is more than one year old!
Which vehicle and when do we leave?
Our 6 hotels are all in different parts of central London so departure time will vary as we try to get all of the fleet of 25+ coaches arriving at Blackheath with 10 minutes of each other so that everyone has roughly the same amount of time for preparation before the start.
The exact time of the departure from YOUR hotel will be given with your “Final Details” pack in March and then confirmed on your tickets which you collect upon arrival in London.
Your ticket will show these key pieces of information;
| Coach to the Start: Your coach is: WRP 12 Your courier is: Mark Seats allocated: 2 Departs: 07.15 |
Due to the levels of traffic and Police road closures that come into place, the departure times are well rehearsed from previous years and all WRP couriers on the coaches are required to depart exactly on time – we just cannot afford to penalise the other passengers on that coach by waiting for any late-comers.
Each year 99.9% of people do believe us and are boarded in good time and can thus enjoy an incredibly easy, pleasant and stress free way of getting out to Blackheath.
A few explanatory notes for “first-timers” about coach arrival at Blackheath
- There are 3 starting areas called Red, Blue and Green.
- Each one has pre-designated running numbers; only those start from that point.
- You will not know your running number until about 4 weeks prior when you receive your Registration Letter – the one that you have to take to ExCeL to exchange for your actual running number. You can then de-code it to find if you will be on Red, Blue or Green.
- Red Start is on Greenwich Common whilst Blue and Green starts are on Blackheath Common.
- All three locations are adjacent to each other and only separated by a brick wall.
- All WRP coaches will arrive at the one official coach park on Blackheath Common. This serves all three starts leaving you with a walk of some 5 mins to either Blue or Green, and 8 mins to Red, start. As you arrive on the coach you can see very easily where each one is located.
Race Starts:
09.00: Elite Women – from Blue Start on Blackheath Common
09.45: All others - either Blue & Green Starts on Blackheath or
Red Start on Greenwich Common
WRP aim to have all coaches parked and unloaded at Blackheath between 08.00 – 08.10. If this sounds early then do believe us it is not and everyone else also at that time. There’s a lot to do out there, do believe us as everyone else will be there at that time!
We are aware that a number of our guests will have qualified for the Elite Women’s start at 09.00 and we strongly advise any Elite Women (there were a number with us in 2009) to consider booking into
either Novotel London West from which there is an “early coach” that will be at Blue Start about 06.50 hrs so that they have adequate time before their earlier start
or Novotel Tower Bridge from where they can catch an early DLR train to Greenwich. However, this does mean a walk up through Greenwich Park (about 20+ minutes.)
Care of children on race day
Please note that WRP cannot take responsibility for looking after children whilst either both parents, or a single parent, compete in the marathon.
If WRP feel there may be a potential problem they reserve the right to seek clarification as to what supervision arrangements the parent/parents intend to make for a child/ children during the event.