Watching the London Marathon - best places to stand?

[Bittern11]

And places to avoid? Never been before...
Thanks :)

Unless you get there really early, avoid Tower Bridge, it'll be heaving!

Thanks. Yeah, it's always heaving, isn't it? I was wondering about somewhere along the Thames or maybe in Wapping around the halfway mark...

Narrow street in Limehouse is good , the bit near Horseferry road. Lots of shops and places to stand too.

Are you watching a friend/family member?

If so you can follow them around with a bit of planning....

Last year I watched near the start, then walked down the hill to watch along Trafalgar road at mile 6-ish, then jumped on the train at maze hill, change to dlr at Greenwich and over to docklands/canary wharf area, then went to embankment at around mile 22. You need to make sure they know where you will be though otherwise difficult to spot each other.

I would only do that on my own though....with kids in tow would stick at one or two quieter spots

Canary Wharf because you can see your runner one side, go through the station and see them again a few miles later. crowds are thinner round there but runners appreciate the support as it’s psychologically the hardest part since you’re just running in a circle back to Tower Bridge.

Half way mark would be good, as you get to see the runners going both ways.

Have a pack of jelly babies to offer to the runners, I was grateful for them last year !

The course crosses at one point around 12/13 and 20 mile mark so you can watch runners in both directions. Have a look at the course map.

Embankment is also good as there is a great atmosphere.

I've got a course map, thanks, but it doesn't show where most people will be standing!!

Jelly babies is a good plan. Will try not to offer the elite runners any!

Think we'll prob choose one place and stick to it instead of moving round the course.

My son is running it for the first time - not a first marathon though.

We are staying at an hotel in Marble Arch. Is it a long walk for me to get to the finish line or should I use the tube. I don't mind a fairly long walk as it'll take him 4 hours. Which way to go?

I realise the finish line will be packed, but would love to see him cross it. We were at Brighton last year and it was brilliant to see him at the finish.

@trimtops You won't be able to see him cross the finish line, I'm afraid, they don't let spectators that far down. You'll have to head to Horse Guard Parade to see him afterwards, although it's very crowded.

Yeah- I’d tell him to cut through to St James and meet him somewhere there instead.

If you get DLR to Mudchute that is a good spot (slightly quieter than the more obvious places), and you should still have to time to get to the end to see your runner finish (unless they are super speedy!)

Thanks, I'm going to get lost, I know I am !! If you see a white haired old biddy wandering around the place, that'll be me...

He won't be a super speedy runner, I was looking at the fastest time someone completed it, 2 hours +

He'll definitely be in the 4 hours +...
Good luck if you're competing.

Well, we stood halfway so we saw the runners going both ways. Pretty busy but a great atmosphere!

@trimtops, how did your son get on?

@thelastgoldeneagle - he ran it in 4hrs 37 mins, 20 mins longer than the Brighton one, very disappointed.

He said it was a struggle to get out of the 'masses' an excuse I think, for not doing any training!

I made my way with a slow amble from Marble Arch through the park, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
Some of those people though are just amazing, and the blind runners, makes you quite humble. I was about 200 yards from the finish line, and saw 1 or 2 trembly legs...brings tears to your eyes.

Got a high 5 from Chris Evans as he worked the crowd.
but the meet and greet was horrendous, not to worry though, it all ended well, thanks for asking.

Well done to your son, @trimtops!

One of my friends took an hour to get off the start line... That must be frustrating, and your muscles must cool down.

Glad you enjoyed it!