The weekend programme: Sunday - The WRP Spectator service – Blackheath to the Embankment
“I was much relieved that my wife was in good hands and not left deserted.” CJ "Your tour is invaluable in reducing pressures. In particular my husband was very impressed with your spectator service – so, much easier than having to move around using the tube.” MG (Parkinsons) |
When WRP issue their “Final Details” in late February/ early March, they will contain options and directions for spectators to view the race and this will include full details of the optional and complimentary, coach transfer back into the city after spectators have seen the start of the race.
Please be advised at this stage that:
If you are fit, confident and know London it’s good fun and has much to recommend it.
Other walk into Blackheath village and then purchase a ticket and take the train back into Charing Cross which is very close to the finish.
This complimentary service works on a simple principle – we ask how many people want to use this service…. then divide by 50 (seats per coach) and then we know how many coaches to keep out at Blackheath.
All other coaches are deemed surplus and returned to their garages or go on to other jobs so we have no spare vehicles for those who change their mind on the day!
How to book this free service
On the “Late orders and requests” form issued along with “Final Details” all guests have an opportunity to requests Spectator Service seats by 13th March.
On arrival at your hotel your WRP ticket envelope will contain the number of tickets requested.
You will not be able to get additional tickets when you arrive at your hotel as WRP has to confirm the final number of coaches we need for this service 10 days before the marathon.
In our experience this spectator transfer back from Blackheath invaluable to those with smaller children or anyone who finds walking more difficult. The coach drivers are happy to take push-chairs, buggies etc and plenty of WRP staff will be on hand to assist your boarding/ unloading.
Times ?
The WRP spectator coaches run between 10.00 and 10.30 on a “first-come first-dispatched” basis from exactly the same point as you first arrived.
WRP staff load the coaches and each returns to central London with a WRP courier on board.
The staff will require one ticket per person boarding (save babies) as we cannot afford to run out of seats for those who did pre-order seats. The last coach will leave at 10.30 – full or empty.
Where does it go to?
The coaches go directly into central London crossing the River Thames on Blackfriars Bridge and turn immediate left into Fleet St running parallel to the course. The coaches drop passengers at the top of Arundel Street from where an easy (and downhill) walk of 200m brings you out on The Embankment – the marathon course, just before the 24 mile point.
Where do I go now?
Everyone who took the opportunity to join the Saturday Walking Tour will immediately recognise where they are, what they plan to do and where to go to next.
If you did not do this tour – do not panic; as you get off the coach you will find a group of WRP staff waiting to help direct you to wherever you want to go or make suggestions – they are the same staff who did the Walking Tour on Saturday so you will not get lost.
Note: This is an excellent viewing point in its own right but also offers you further options for it is alongside Temple Underground station so in about 6 mins you could go “back up” the course to Tower Bridge and catch runners earlier at either/both 13 miles and 22 miles.
Equally, from this point it is an easy walk up to the finish area in The Mall – far shorter than the runners have to do! Make sure that you have with you the maps provided in WRP’s “Final Details” and in the Marathon Magazine as both have maps directing you up to the Finish.
What happens after the race
Each year we get a small number of people who claim that they had expected us to meet them at the finish and bus them back to their hotel.
Sorry, but we never have said this – and never will: it's quite impossible.
To confirm:
ALL RUNNERS MAKE THEIR OWN WAY BACK TO THE HOTELS AFTER THE RACE.
In “Final Details” we will give guidance of how this is most simply achieved. Those who were with the WRP “Walking Tour of the Finish” on Saturday will know exactly where to go to get to their required station.
For once WRP cannot help with advice on the spot – due simply to the density of crowds around the Mall. You would never find us!
Instead, make sure you have the two maps mentioned (see above and on your Saturday “Checklist”) as few around you at that time are likely to know London that well and London Marathon advise you that mobile phones rarely work in this area due to the density of “traffic”.
Plan ahead!
It is not a good idea to make your visit to the Finish area on Sunday afternoon - along with 100,000 other people!