Taking a one year old to watch the London Marathon, is it doable ?

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DH is running the London marathon this year and I want to take my 1 year old to watch but I’m getting mixed views on if it’s a good idea !

My plan would be to take a travel buggy so I can fold it up and we can carry DD if the tubes are busy as there is no way I can have her in the backpack carrier all day. DH’s parents will be there too to help.

Does anyone have any advice or is this a terrible idea ? I don’t live in London and have never been to the marathon so finding it hard to gauge whether practically this is possible.

Have run London myself and saw plenty of babies in prams so it is definitely doable. It is a long day though so pack plenty of snacks and layers in case the weather changes. Plan your viewing spots in advance. My DP and DD saw me off at the start, saw me at the finish, in Canary Wharf and one other place that I can’t remember the location because I was crying 😂 beat of luck to him

Yes

but not fun

I think it’s fine although I’d probably just pick one spot and stick there rather than trying to leg it across London to see multiple points.

I got caught up in it once around buck palace and it was a nice place to watch

Plus you can hang around st James's park ducks etc

I did it, stick to the more modern lines with lifts etc. surrey quays had a line for the lift that was much shorter when I did it with mine.

Yes totally doable. I would actually advise taking a proper buggy so the baby is more comfortable if out all day. Just plan which tubes you use based on lifts.

I wouldn’t. Crowds are horrendous. There were some tube stations where my DH and DC just turned back into. Unless you do some research and find the quietest points and those will be near the start. I marshal at the marathon as well as running it and it is crazy busy. I wouldn’t go near it unless I was running it or marshalling. It’s wonderful for the runners, not so much for people watching.

Absolutely doable, I’ve done it. Gets really busy on the tubes though so don’t plan lots of viewing points.

If she's the sort of baby that doesn't mind sitting in a buggy all day then it could be ok.

If not, I'd plan to watch one small bit of the marathon and then take her somewhere away from the crowds to play/chill.

I think there are a lot of babies that would absolutely hate it!

I would suggest Mile 17. It's less busier than other places like Tower Bridge or by Buckingham Palace and Mudchute Farm is nearby. I've been before to watch my brother run. I saw lots of kids and prams around. Mudchute DLR station is fully step-free and has lifts.

A warning - I took my slightly older children to watch a half marathon in a different city, and it has put them off that city for life because it was 'so boring'! I think it would be more manageable for a kid in a buggy though because there will be less walking and you can give them snacks and things to entertain them. If you are going to do it then I agree Buckingham Palace would be a good spot to see it. There's a lovely play park with a cafe in the corner of St James Park just opposite Buckingham Palace to hang out while you wait.