London marathon

[Callmeback]

I'm considering doing the London Marathon in 2 years time. I've done several walk/run half marathons and have walked two marathons but never run one. However, I'd be starting from scratch as I haven't exercised in years (not consistently anyway).It's a lifetime goal to run London but I'm sensible enough to know that next year is too soon so 2 years is the goal.

However, I'm slightly concerned about the logistics. How do people manage the sheer distance to get to and from the start/finish as well as the marathon itself? Can it be miles of walking to even get to the start?

If you are coming from outside London what's the best thing to do in terms of accomodation to keep mileage down?

I've got my head around my training plan building up from couch to 5k, then 5k to 10k. Then a half including a couple of races and then building up to the marathon. But it worries me that it's not 26.2 plus all the logistics before and after.

Any tips and tricks?

I ran the London Marathon Sunday just gone! The biggest challenge is actually getting a spot- have you thought about that? The public ballot is incredibly difficult to get into, even charities places are hard to come by. If you can secure a spot then two years training will get you to the finish, for sure. No, not miles of walking to the start- about ten mins from Greenwich station. Don’t worry about that in the slightest. If you live commutable distance to London you can travel up on the morning, if you’re expecting it to take you over 4.5 hours then your start time will be no earlier than 10:30am. Plenty of time to travel up on the morning. Failing that, book a hotel in London the night before. It’s a life affirming experience, both the training and the day itself. Go for it!!!

I’ve not done it yet, again for me it’s a life time goal. I entered the ballot for this year but didn’t get in. Are you planning on a charity place to guarantee yourself entry in 2 years?

I should have a spot for next year through good for age entry so will be watching with interest around the logistics. I have to say though, I have run 2 marathons and having to do a bit of walking at the start or finish isn’t the end of the world. You’ll be in a very different place once you’ve trained to where you are now. I was planning a hotel out a bit form the centre with convenient tube links. But that’s as far as I’ve got.

I don't have a spot yet but I'm going to start talking to charities soon so I can get one secured. I have good links with a few charities I care about so I'm reasonably hopeful I can get a spot through that route.

Good to hear it's not as bad as I thought to get to and from.

I’ve run the marathon several times (GFA)
2 years is sensible, I think no running to a marathon in under a year is asking to get injured. I’d have a look at some 10ks for autumn this year and spring and autumn halves for next to keep you motivated! Happy to provide some suggestions depending on where you are, but as a general rule despite some bad PR with a recent race, Runthrough are really good, especially if you want an event which isn’t full of rake thin club runners and I’d recommend them.

In terms of logistics it runs like clockwork. Book accomodation near a tube or a train line that goes to London Bridge and you’ll be fine.
the only thing to really consider in terms of travel is that you cannot collect your number on the day and they won’t post it. So you need to get it in the week from the excel centre.

Ah that's good to know. Will need longer on London then.

My DH did it on Sunday. We stayed at a hotel in Croydon and it was 20 mins on train to start at Greenwich and 30 mins from finish.

it was his 3rd attempt at getting a ballot place

Bear in mind that charities usually require a minimum sponsorship of £2k. Some are more than that.

Even when I lived in London I stayed in town the night before as it’s a nightmare!

A school in Maze Hill used to do a b and b for runners in parents houses which was fab but don’t think they do it anymore since covid which is a shame!

Had a brilliant stay at the tower hotel last time I did it an it wasn’t too pricey for London marathon eve as some places were!

As said above travel on the morning does work like clockwork you just follow everyone else….. no idea about staying after as we lived at the end of the central line so just headed home!!

I ran it on Sunday, we went on Friday to collect bib from the excel, stayed in a hotel near Tower Bridge and did parkrun on the Saturday.
My starting point was Greenwich...25 min train straight there......was about 20 min walk to start, think I did about 5k before I started. It is so well organised though.

When I finished I went straight to Kings Cross to meet my friends and family who were there to support and we got the train back to Leeds home..........I've heard it was a nightmare with people meeting at the designated meeting points at the end so glad I avoided that.
I was lucky enough to get a ballot place and was one of the best days of my life, loved every minute of it.

Thanks everyone. All really useful thoughts. Yeah I know the sponsorship is high. I'm confident I can raise more than £1k in sponsorship and I'd be happy to cover the rest myself in installments so I get to a charity's minimum.