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Original poster

London Marathon Spectator Help!

26 replies

FlourPowa · 22/04/2025 08:59

DP is running the marathon on Sunday. We aren’t from London but visit a few times a year so are confident on the underground. We have been trying to work out the best spectator spots and from what we’ve read Canary Wharf is a good spot. He is in the third wave to set off and is expecting to run it in just under 3 hours. We aren’t planning on 2 spots on the course then mile 25 (he is running for a charity and they have a designated cheering station so we are ok there)

My question is, how realistic is it going to be to get from Canary Wharf which I think is mile 18 & 19, to embankment to then walk to mile 25 (I know it’s not far but we’ll be fighting to get through the crowds). I’ve check city mapper and looks to be roughly 30 mins on the tube then walking to the cheer station but I know this will be a lot longer on the day. Although I was thinking that as he’s one of the earliest waves, there won’t be as much of a battle to get on the underground at that time….

Any help would be really appreciated, we don’t want to miss him at mile 25 at all but also don’t want to miss supporting him out on the course

OP posts:
Original poster
FlourPowa · 22/04/2025 10:18

🏃 hopeful bump

OP posts:
ToBeOrNotToBee · 22/04/2025 10:20

Very doable.
Elizabeth line from Canary Wharf to Whitechapel then tube to Embankment.
Check trains are running though.

Mummyslittlegiraffe · 22/04/2025 10:28

I supported a couple of years ago, definitely plan no more than 2 places to view. Everything takes a lot longer than you think it will. Need to be very clear and specific on where you will be, otherwise they will miss you/you miss them. The tracking doesn’t tend to work well due to mobile signal overload.
I would discourage going into the finish area, it took me a really long time, if the charity they are running for has a finishing meeting place, go straight there. My DH massively appreciated his shower!

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mynameiscalypso · 22/04/2025 10:30

I did Canary Wharf - Embankment - Charity meeting spot when my DH ran the marathon a few years ago. His time was 3.30 so I had a bit more to play with than you but it wasn’t particularly tight.

BarnacleBeasley · 22/04/2025 10:31

If he's really running at 3 hour pace (call it 6:45 a mile to be on the safe side), it will take him 35-40 minutes to get from Canary Wharf to mile 25, so your timing is looking tight if you think you'll be half an hour on the tube.

BarnacleBeasley · 22/04/2025 10:39

Sorry, terrible maths by me there, just realised I was allowing for him running 5 miles not 6. I still think it's a bit risky though - unless the original cheer station is nearer mile 18 which gives you an extra 6 or 7 minutes.

If you are not totally wedded to the charity cheer point/mile 25 idea, the classic spot for seeing your runner twice is Shadwell, which is miles 13ish and 22. So you get to see them all fresh about half way, and provide some helpful support nearer - but not right at - the end.

user1471548941 · 22/04/2025 11:01

I think if you want to see him twice you need to see him at an earlier point in the race. I’m pro at spectating and would normally say that plan works but I’m usually supporting runners who will take over an hour to go from mile 18 to 25.

I think you need to look around Greenwich/Lewisham for spots before 10 miles and then head to Embankment.

Canary Wharf is a great spot for spectactors but it will also be rammed- you might find yourself queuing for the full 30 mins to get on the tube and miss him at 25.

Embankment will also be absolutely rammed and you won’t get to the front of the crowd quickly either so if this the key spot you don’t want to miss, chose something around mile 6/7 for the first one!!!

Also, make a sign, carry a balloon or SOMETHING. As a runner (particularly at his pace!) it is INCREDIBLY hard to spot people in the crowds. Take something with you, make sure he knows what it looks like before you go!

We’ll be out supporting my Dad who is aiming for about 5 hours and have a massive green sign with his face on- it really works!

user1471548941 · 22/04/2025 11:03

Basically the TFL times are on a normal day, expect it to take 3 times to actually journey time they give you, you will be queueing to get in and out of stations etc!

SummerIce · 22/04/2025 11:06

It was several years ago but first I waited on Westferry Road on the Isle of Dogs and then jumped on the tube to Bank and walked down to Upper Thames Street. And then met on the Strand after to head home. Both those spots were quiet enough to have a good spot but busy enough to have a buzz.

Cookiebix · 22/04/2025 11:08

The tubes will be v v busy. Personally I'd find a spot where you can walk to mile 25. Maybe somewhere just after Tower Bridge

Cookiebix · 22/04/2025 11:11

Agree with taking something to make it easier for him to spot you. It's much easier for runners to spot their supporters than vice versa, especially when they know where the spectators will be.

I go every year to support clubmates, and always return home exhausted. I've run marathons too, but reckon supporting at London is harder work! You have to concentrate so hard to see anyone.

anicecuppateaa · 22/04/2025 11:15

If you use facebook, go onto the London marathon training & support group. Under files there is a spectator guide with maps and tells you exactly where to go to see your DH in 3/4 places. I would echo the need for taking a balloon so he can spot you. It’s a great day - good luck to him!

BarnacleBeasley · 22/04/2025 11:16

I know someone who used to manage to see fast runners three times in the race, but it was like a military operation. The advantage of the 13/22 combination is that all you have to do is cross the road, but you would miss out on mile 25 and just go straight to the post-race meeting point.

@user1471548941 is absolutely spot on in every way, except that you will have a better chance of seeing each other at 3 hour pace as the course will not be so crowded (either runners or spectators). You as spectator will find it easier to spot your runner than he will find it to spot you,* so the trick is not just to have a massive colourful sign, but also to be really really specific about where you will be (how far from the mile marker, what side of the road), so he knows where to look for you. When I used to run, my family used to just stick to one spot, but it was always just after the tunnel at Blackfriars bridge, so I always saw them.

*just seen someone has said the opposite of this! I think again it depends on pace. The course won't be as crowded with faster runners as it will be between 4 and 5 hour pace, unless he is running with a pacer or very close to exactly 3 hours which is obviously a target for lots of people. And you'll know when he's coming from watching the tracker.

Cookiebix · 22/04/2025 11:30

BarnacleBeasley · 22/04/2025 11:16

I know someone who used to manage to see fast runners three times in the race, but it was like a military operation. The advantage of the 13/22 combination is that all you have to do is cross the road, but you would miss out on mile 25 and just go straight to the post-race meeting point.

@user1471548941 is absolutely spot on in every way, except that you will have a better chance of seeing each other at 3 hour pace as the course will not be so crowded (either runners or spectators). You as spectator will find it easier to spot your runner than he will find it to spot you,* so the trick is not just to have a massive colourful sign, but also to be really really specific about where you will be (how far from the mile marker, what side of the road), so he knows where to look for you. When I used to run, my family used to just stick to one spot, but it was always just after the tunnel at Blackfriars bridge, so I always saw them.

*just seen someone has said the opposite of this! I think again it depends on pace. The course won't be as crowded with faster runners as it will be between 4 and 5 hour pace, unless he is running with a pacer or very close to exactly 3 hours which is obviously a target for lots of people. And you'll know when he's coming from watching the tracker.

It's true it's easier to spot very fast runners, but IME the course is still pretty crowded with 3 hour pace runners.

Original poster
FlourPowa · 22/04/2025 12:25

Thank you everyone, all of your replies have been a massive help! I think we’re going to pick one place (maybe Canada Water?) then head to mile 25 as we know we have a proper place to watch him come through. I have checked city mapper and it says 15 minutes on the underground so if we give that 45 minutes we should be ok. We’ve already got plans for balloons, he is going to wear an air tag as well and we have approximate times he should be running through Canada Water (all being well).

OP posts:
TianasBayou · 22/04/2025 13:03

In previous years we’ve been at Surrey Quays and then found a spot on The Highway to see both ways. Or under Canary Wharf on South Colonnade and then The Embankment. Meeting point after the race was the steps at Horse Guards/King George Street.

Some people bring helium balloons but I reckon that if your runner knows roughly where you’ll be, you should spot each other. Take a picnic and jelly babies.

Bobnobob · 22/04/2025 13:06

I would forget those spots and go to tower bridge. You can see him coming over the bridge about halfway then you just cross the road and can see him again about mile 23.

kirinm · 22/04/2025 13:18

We found Canary Wharf really tricky to get to in time from Deptford (which is mile 8) - it was heaving and the person we were watching was running a 3 hour time.

MyKingdomForACat · 22/04/2025 13:29

I’m one of ‘The Legendary Crowd’. We usually go to mile 6 at Greenwich. Always get a good view there then over to Canary Wharf. DLR and other trains are packed but it’s a great atmosphere. Only went to the finish once and didn’t enjoy that. Could barely move for the crowds. Enjoy Sunday x

user1471548941 · 22/04/2025 16:12

FlourPowa · 22/04/2025 12:25

Thank you everyone, all of your replies have been a massive help! I think we’re going to pick one place (maybe Canada Water?) then head to mile 25 as we know we have a proper place to watch him come through. I have checked city mapper and it says 15 minutes on the underground so if we give that 45 minutes we should be ok. We’ve already got plans for balloons, he is going to wear an air tag as well and we have approximate times he should be running through Canada Water (all being well).

This sounds like a really solid plan! Absolutely prepare to lose your voice and be overwhelmed by the spectacle! Good luck to your DH- sounds like he’s going to smash it!

Slacktacular · 22/04/2025 16:23

hope you have loads of fun - we will also be out supporting. Just to say as well, it’s worth having a note of your person’s projected mile splits as the London Marathon app can be a bit slow to keep up sometimes, and it’s helpful to have an estimate of where they will be if it isn’t working well. It’s also very possible that you won’t be able to track the air tag through some sections as the GPS signal can be very poor particularly through the Canary Wharf area in our experience due to the buildings and the sheer number of people out there using GPS devices

kirinm · 22/04/2025 16:34

It is a really great day out by the way. Have fun!

Energe · 22/04/2025 18:37

Under 3 hours is fantastic, he must be super fit. Have a great day!

TianasBayou · 22/04/2025 19:44

A rather odd side effect of watching all the runners bobbing along is to experience motion sickness!

Boriswentcamping · 23/04/2025 22:38

FlourPowa · 22/04/2025 12:25

Thank you everyone, all of your replies have been a massive help! I think we’re going to pick one place (maybe Canada Water?) then head to mile 25 as we know we have a proper place to watch him come through. I have checked city mapper and it says 15 minutes on the underground so if we give that 45 minutes we should be ok. We’ve already got plans for balloons, he is going to wear an air tag as well and we have approximate times he should be running through Canada Water (all being well).

I think this sounds like a good idea. I might try do the same. Dh is planning 2hrs 40 which has the advantage that he's a bit easier to spot, but then it's hard to keep up and I really hate crowds. I went to canary wharf one year to pass him an energy drink and then only just made it to the finish line with the tubes, trickiest park was navigating Hyde park. I had young kids in tow though which was an extra challenge! I'm staring at the map now and it's making my head hurt - Im not a regular on the tubes either and struggle with timekeeping and directions 😂 so I find it all very stressful! I think Canary Wharf or Canada Water is a good shout as lots of facilities for spectators and easy to get away from the crowds if you need to.

The app was quite good last year but it did freeze a few times. Not sure if the air tag will be similar? I also found the app totally drained my phone battery so I'll be taking a power bank this year!