How do I get my race number?
If you haven’t already, you need to get yourself down to the ExCeL Centre before 5pm on Saturday 23rd.
The address is ExCel, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London, E16 1XL and is reachable on Docklands Light Railway.
You can drive to the ExCel centre, but you’ll need to pay £15 for 24 hours for the pay and display car park.
On the back of the registration letter is a charity survey. Be sure to complete this before you arrive and fill in your medical information.
Your registration letter will have a zone number on the bottom right corner showing where you should start. This will either be a blue, green or red zone.
What do I need on race day?
- Your registration letter
- Your kit bag (luggage lorries will be on site to hold these for you until after the race)
- Your running number. Once you receive your number, there are no spares, so be extra careful not to lose it or marshals will remove you from the race if you run without one
- Your IPICO Sports Tag. You will collect this at the London Marathon Expo along with your number. You must attach this to your shoe to receive an official finishing time
- Your preferred energy gels/ mid-race fuel
- A spare change of clothes and jacket for afterwards to keep you warm
NOTE: The acceptance slip you received in December will NOT be valid on race day.
What time does the race start?
There are four separate starting times for the London Marathon this year:
8.55am – Wheelchair competitors
9am – Paralympic runners competing in the IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup
9.15am – Elite women runners
10am – Elite male runners/mass start
When should I arrive?
All competitors should arrive at the marathon at least an hour before their race time.
This will allow you time to warm up, find your starting pen and load your luggage onto the baggage lorries.
Where do I start from?
Depending on whether you are given a blue, green or red starting position, you should head to either Blackheath Station (blue), Maze Hill (red and green) or Greenwich Station (red).
All starting positions are a 15-20 minute walk from the stations and there will be marshals to guide you to the appropriate position.
What will the fuel stations have?
250ml water in a flip-top is on offer at every mile up to mile 25. Lucozade sport is available at miles 5, 10, 15, 19 and 23 in a flip-top 380ml bottle.
Carbo Gel is available at miles 14 and 21.5. Drink stations are available on both sides of the road.
Will there be toilets en route?
There will be toilets available every two miles up to the 24th mile. There will also be showers available at:
- 9 miles at Surray Quays
- 13 miles in at The Highway
- 17 miles in at East Ferry Road
- 20 miles in at West India Dock Road
- 22 miles at The Highway
- 23.5 miles at Upper Thames Street
How do I collect my bag at the finish?
Head back to the luggage lorries to collect your belongings.
Remember that it can take up 40 minutes from when you’ve crossed the finish line, collected your medal, finisher’s bag and exited the area.
