London Marathon - where to watch in person
Discussion
Daughter #1 is doing the marathon next weekend so basically after advice as to where to (attempt!!) to see her. Ideally want to spot her in one place and walk somewhere else on the route to see her again, then meet up later somewhere away from the finish.
Thank god for the tracker! Any good / bad experiences of places to watch? Cheers 👍
Thank god for the tracker! Any good / bad experiences of places to watch? Cheers 👍
There are a few options - some of it depends on what her time will be - if she is speedy then I'd go to just before or after Greenwich - then use the foot tunnel to get to Canary Wharf where you can see her a couple other times, then get the jubilee line to Westminster to see her at the end.
This is going to be very busy later on though (there are massive queues for the tunnel) - and Canary Wharf gets super busy.
The race goes along the highway (just after Tower Bridge) in both directions - half way and about 22 miles - so you can stay in one place and see her twice.
Another option is see her on the approach to Tower Bridge (this gets really busy) - then walk along Tooley street to London Bridge - cross there (or carry along the south bank and cross on a bridge further down) - see her coming down embankment - then walk to Covent Garden to meet after the finish.
Also worth keeping in mind - all those people trying to use the tracker all at once, it can all fall apart -as do the Garmin systems in my experience - AirTags seem to work pretty reliably to track runners real time - if she has one.
Have you been on marathon day before? it's amazing - but it's so so busy, and loads of people have no idea where they are going - pack light - wear comfy shoes, you'll do a lot of steps too!!
This is going to be very busy later on though (there are massive queues for the tunnel) - and Canary Wharf gets super busy.
The race goes along the highway (just after Tower Bridge) in both directions - half way and about 22 miles - so you can stay in one place and see her twice.
Another option is see her on the approach to Tower Bridge (this gets really busy) - then walk along Tooley street to London Bridge - cross there (or carry along the south bank and cross on a bridge further down) - see her coming down embankment - then walk to Covent Garden to meet after the finish.
Also worth keeping in mind - all those people trying to use the tracker all at once, it can all fall apart -as do the Garmin systems in my experience - AirTags seem to work pretty reliably to track runners real time - if she has one.
Have you been on marathon day before? it's amazing - but it's so so busy, and loads of people have no idea where they are going - pack light - wear comfy shoes, you'll do a lot of steps too!!
Edited by esuuv on Friday 17th April 21:15
esuuv said:
The race goes along the highway (just after Tower Bridge) in both directions - half way and about 22 miles - so you can stay in one place and see her twice.
I have no prior experience myself but am this year one of an air ambulance charity "cheer team" and the spot they have picked to meet up is on The Highway. I assume that means it's a good place to watch. I'm sure the others suggested are too though. Edited by esuuv on Friday 17th April 21:15
Its generally a bit quieter on Isle of Dogs (Mudchute area) But does go mad before Canary Wharf (and GPS signal wont work there)
In 2024 I watched from Rotherhithe. Walked back up the course about 1/4 a mile or so. I had 7 people in my phone to track, but the app totally collapsed on the day (so much for TCS ability!) Blind luck I spotted 3 of them! And shouted to them! Its remarkably hard to spot people in the group. Even when you know what they are wearing!
My Dad watched me in 2023 from Greenwich, and then at Birdcage Walk. (I have no idea how he managed to spot me!
) And we had agreed to meet afterwards by the QE2 exhibition centre (where the charity I was running for had an "after party" ) since it would be easier for me to come to him. They funnel you out after the mall via King Charles street into Whitehall.
He was in his late 70s, and whilst he's not immobile, I didn't want him having to walk too much, so he used public transport. He said the DLR was packed!
ETA
The highway, tower bridge and Victoria embankment is where a lot of charities have their cheer stations. Its good cause its easy for a runner to see the signage and wave to their people
In 2024 I watched from Rotherhithe. Walked back up the course about 1/4 a mile or so. I had 7 people in my phone to track, but the app totally collapsed on the day (so much for TCS ability!) Blind luck I spotted 3 of them! And shouted to them! Its remarkably hard to spot people in the group. Even when you know what they are wearing!
My Dad watched me in 2023 from Greenwich, and then at Birdcage Walk. (I have no idea how he managed to spot me!
) And we had agreed to meet afterwards by the QE2 exhibition centre (where the charity I was running for had an "after party" ) since it would be easier for me to come to him. They funnel you out after the mall via King Charles street into Whitehall. He was in his late 70s, and whilst he's not immobile, I didn't want him having to walk too much, so he used public transport. He said the DLR was packed!
ETA
The highway, tower bridge and Victoria embankment is where a lot of charities have their cheer stations. Its good cause its easy for a runner to see the signage and wave to their people
Edited by BunkMoreland on Saturday 18th April 21:49
It's tough - as London will be rammed and if you think a spot is a good viewing place so will many others.
Saying that we were thinking the similar thing to a lot of others...!!! Plus it depends on the support - we've got friends who are taking part and there's a fair few of us, so it should share the load a little.
https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-mara...
Current thinking is Cutty Sark-ish and then Canary Wharf x 2, before heading towards the end for us, but other supporters will be dotted elsewhere along the course and some will be coming from different directions which will have a bearing. May well adjust - but we have done this before and it worked for us.
As others have said travel as light as possible and there will be a lot of walking involved and getting on transport as efficiently as possible. There will be busy areas at certain times.
Saying that we were thinking the similar thing to a lot of others...!!! Plus it depends on the support - we've got friends who are taking part and there's a fair few of us, so it should share the load a little.
https://www.londonmarathonevents.co.uk/london-mara...
Current thinking is Cutty Sark-ish and then Canary Wharf x 2, before heading towards the end for us, but other supporters will be dotted elsewhere along the course and some will be coming from different directions which will have a bearing. May well adjust - but we have done this before and it worked for us.
As others have said travel as light as possible and there will be a lot of walking involved and getting on transport as efficiently as possible. There will be busy areas at certain times.
Can't remember where else I watched from besides Canary Warf, but I managed to get to several points on the route with a bit of planning. Don't rely on public transport though, my wife managed to run from Canary Warf to the finish quicker than I managed it on the tube as it was absolutely rammed.
It's pretty busy everywhere! I ran it in 2003 and 2024 and the numbers watching in 2024 were massive compared to 2003. Canary Wharf was really quiet in 2003, but people everywhere in 2024.
Managed to see my daughter, partner and dog at the back of the Tower of London though in 2024, helps when they tell you where they are waiting lol!
Mine left me at Lewisham, went to get off the DLR around Cutty Sark but it was manic, so they went to docklands and got the cable car before the DLR to Tower Bridge.
Managed to see my daughter, partner and dog at the back of the Tower of London though in 2024, helps when they tell you where they are waiting lol!
Mine left me at Lewisham, went to get off the DLR around Cutty Sark but it was manic, so they went to docklands and got the cable car before the DLR to Tower Bridge.
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