Virgin Money London Marathon 2016

Transcription

THE OFFICIAL VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON SPECTATORS’ GUIDE | APRIL 2016
virginmoneylondonmarathon.com
INSIDE
C OU RS E M A P • E LITE P R E V I E WS • C ELEB R I T I ES • YOU R PU B G U I D E
CONTENTS
CONTENTS
OFFICIAL VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON SPECTATORS’ GUIDE
05 THE 2016 RACE
17 FINISH AREA CROSSING POINTS
09 SPECTATORS’ INFO
18 COURSE MAP
10 REAL-TIME PACE GUIDE
19 PUBS & BARS ALONG THE COURSE
11 THE COURSE
22 OUT TO WIN
13 THE START TO GREENWICH
27 BEST OF MEN
14 THE ISLE OF DOGS
33 THE NEED FOR SPEED
15 TOWER BRIDGE TO WESTMINSTER
36 THE GREAT AND THE GOOD
16 THE FINISH
41 #ONEINAMILLION
Your introduction to the 36th
edition of the world’s greatest marathon
Make the most of your day
with our essential Race-Day advice
Use the real-time pace guide to
calculate where your loved ones will be
Check out our mile-by-mile
course guide and travel information
How to get to this section of
the race route, plus area to avoid
Make the most of your visit to
this popular area of the course, including
public transport info
Everything you need to know if you’re
planning to watch from mile 23 to the finish
How to plan ahead to ensure you
can easily find your runner after the race
Use the crossing points around St
James’s Park to get around on Race Day
43 SPACE RACE
British European Space Agency
astronaut Tim Peake will take the
London Marathon out of this world
on Sunday 24 April
Zoom in on the areas of the
26.2-mile route you’re planning to visit
Raise a glass to this year’s amazing
runners at one of these pubs and bars
Get set to watch the world’s
fastest women go head-to-head
Find out more about the stellar
field competing for the men’s title
The IPC Athletics Marathon
World Cup returns to London
Meet the inspiring runners taking
on the race for charity
Join us as we get set to celebrate
the one millionth London Marathon
finisher in 2016
LONDON MARATHON EVENTS LIMITED
PO BOX 1234, London SE1 0XT
Tel: 020 7902 0200
Online: virginmoneylondonmarathon.com
This guide is produced by
London Marathon Events Limited
Publisher: Andrew Torr
Editor: Alison Hamlett
Layout: Callum Robertson, Jason Ochoa,
Dani Nimmock, Ben Whitworth, Graham
Taylor, Matt Gregory, Federica Sanchi &
Matt Dungate
Writer: Nick Dines
Website Administrator: Jamie Dunn
London Marathon and the Running Man
logo are registered trade marks of London
Marathon Events Limited. All rights reserved.
Reproduction of any part of this guide without
written permission is strictly forbidden.
© Copyright 2016 London Marathon
Events Limited
3 / 45
THE RACE
2016 VIRGIN MONEY
LONDON MARATHON
T
he Virgin Money London
Marathon is unique among
international sporting events in
that ordinary people – people
just like you – can compete and join in
with the best in the world. How many
people can say they’ve had a kick about
with Lionel Messi or a game of tennis with
Serena Williams? Yet, over the years, more
than 960,000 people can say they’ve raced
against some of the world’s top runners like
Paula Radcliffe, Ingrid Kristiansen, Haile
Gebrselassie and Mo Farah.
Every London Marathon is a magical day
to remember but 2016 promises to be even
more special as we get set to celebrate the
race’s one millionth finisher crossing the
world-famous Finish Line on The Mall.
If this is your first time spectating at the
race, you’re in for a treat. Nothing can
prepare you for the breathtaking spectacle
that’s about to unfold before your eyes.
The day’s action begins at 08:40 when
the Virgin Money Giving Mini London
Marathon takes place on the final three
miles of the London Marathon course (see
the panel on page six for details).
Runners loop
around the Cutty
Sark in the heart
of Greenwich
2016 RACE START TIMES
08:55
I PC Athletics Marathon World Cup in
association with the Virgin Money London
Marathon elite wheelchair race – Blue Start
09:00
I PC Athletics Marathon World Cup (ambulant
athletes) – Blue Start
09:15
irgin Money London Marathon for Elite
V
Women – Blue Start
10:00
irgin Money London Marathon Mass Start –
V
Blue, Red and Green Starts
Elite Men and the British Athletics and
England Athletics Championships for Men
and Women – Blue Start
The public ballot entry system for the 2017
Virgin Money London Marathon will open to all
applicants at virginmoneylondonmarathon.com
on bank holiday Monday 2 May 2016
This ballot system will close at 17:00 on Friday
6 May 2016. The ballot is open for five days to
give everyone who would
like to enter the event a fair
chance to do so
5 / 45
THE RACE
Finally, and probably what makes the Virgin
Money London Marathon the greatest bigcity marathon on the planet, the course
belongs to the fun runners and fancy-dress
runners; the ordinary Joes and Josephines
who make the event truly unique.
We hope you have an amazing day, and if
you’re inspired by watching the race, you
never know, next year it could be you out
there. If you’d like to apply to run the 2017
Virgin Money London Marathon, visit www.
virginmoneylondonmarathon.com between
Monday 2 May and Friday 6 May 2016 to
apply for a ballot place. See page five for
more details.
THE VIRGIN MONEY GIVING
MINI LONDON MARATHON
And they’re off!
More than 37,000
runners will start
the 2016 race
The first race in the main event begins at
08:55 on Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath,
with the IPC Athletics Marathon World
Cup in association with the Virgin Money
London Marathon elite wheelchair race.
Five minutes later, the elite ambulant paraathletes in the IPC Athletics Marathon
World Cup start at 09:00.
The elite women’s Virgin Money London
Marathon starts at 09:15 followed by the
elite men, the British Athletics and England
Athletics Championships for men and
women and the mass start at 10:00.
Use the pace guide on page 10 to estimate
when the fastest athletes will pass your spot
on the course, and also when the runners
you’re supporting are likely to come
through. The high drama of the fastest
distance runners in the world battling it out
is soon replaced by the determination of
club runners, many pushing themselves to
the limit in search of that elusive PB.
The Virgin Money Giving Mini London
Marathon is the official British Athletics
three-mile road championships for young
athletes aged between 11 and 17. The
athletes will compete in a series of races
that start at 08:40. The wheelchair athletes
will set off first followed by the runners.
Find out more at www.minimarathon.co.uk
6 / 45
26.2 miles
of determination
Official Timekeeper of
VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON
AND THE TAG HEUER CONNECTED
YOUR GUIDE
SPECTATORS’ GUIDE
VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON SPECTATORS ARE A CROWD ON THE MOVE! MOST PEOPLE LIKE TO
TRY TO SEE RUNNERS AT MORE THAN ONE LOCATION ON THE ROUTE AND IT’S GREAT TO SOAK UP THE
ATMOSPHERE, TAKE IN SOME LANDMARKS AND PERHAPS PICK UP REFRESHMENTS TOO. HERE ARE SOME
TIPS TO MAKE YOUR DAY SAFER AND MORE ENJOYABLE
T
here are hundreds of thousands of
people lining the route of the Virgin
Money London Marathon every year,
and every year there seem to be more and
more. Some parts of the course can become
very congested, especially around the major
landmarks and attractions.
By the time you read this guide you will have
probably made your plans for the day: where to
meet up with friends; when to look out for the
elite men and women; where to eat and drink;
what time to look out for your other
half/friend/son/daughter etc.
If you find yourself at one of the busier areas
it can be frustrating, especially if the crowds
become so deep you can’t see the action. You
may well decide to go somewhere a bit quieter.
Over the next few pages you will find useful
maps and information about the Virgin Money
London Marathon course, which will help you to
make your way around and find the best spots
to watch the race (and the places to avoid).
There is advice on public transport, routes to
take to help you to see the race at different
locations, and a guide to the pubs on the
course, all designed to make your Race Day
go smoothly.
On page 10 there is a specially formulated pace
guide to help you follow the action in the elite
races. This is how it works: if you are spectating
at Mile 12, on Jamaica Road, you will first see
the leaders in the men’s wheelchair elite race
at around 09:36. The women’s elite wheelchair
race will be through roughly five minutes later
at 09:40 and, at about 10:06, the ambulant paraathlete leaders in the IPC Athletics Marathon
World Cup should be passing. The elite women
will pass Mile 12 at roughly 10:19, followed by
the fastest elite men, who will race past at
around 10:57, ahead of the mass of runners.
The Virgin Money London Marathon route
passes down The Highway twice so, if you base
yourself at Mile 14 to see the first chairs head
east towards Canary Wharf at 9:43, you’ll get
another chance to see them as they head back
west too – at Mile 14 you are also opposite the
21-mile mark so the first men’s wheelchairs will
be back here at about 10:10 followed soon after
by the other racers until the elite men pass you
at about 11:40.
Arrive early to
stake out your
spot beside the
race route
MILE 15 & MILE 18
There is an adjustment to the route
between miles 18 and 19 due to building
work at Canary Wharf.
The popular viewing spot at Heron
Quays roundabout (close to the former
City Pride pub) at miles 15 and 18 will NOT
be available. Access will be restricted.
The ongoing works will be fenced and
inaccessible and it will not be possible to
see runners at this location.
All spectators should follow the directions
of event marshals who will direct people to
alternative viewing spots in the area.
9 / 45
YOUR GUIDE
REAL-TIME PACE GUIDE
The real-time pace guide opposite also shows
calculated times so you will know roughly when
to keep an eye out for your loved ones as they
come bounding majestically down the streets of
London. If they have a projected finishing time of
4:30, say, and you are waiting to see them at the
Surrey Docks at Surrey Quays (Mile 9) you know
that, if they’ve done their training, you should see
them come past at about 11:32. Simple.
As the last of the elite runners passes you,
take a moment to reflect on the IPC Athletics
Marathon World Cup, which is once again
being held at this year’s Virgin Money London
Marathon. After the success of the London
Paralympic Games in 2012, it’s fitting that the
city continues to drive the development of
disability sport.
The IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup is for
athletes in the T11-T13 visual impairment classes,
athletes in the T42-T46 amputee classes and
wheelchair racers in the T51-54 classes.
The event aims to develop the sport of
marathon racing in other classes as well as the
well-established wheelchair category and build
on the success of 2012’s Paralympic Games.
David Weir, six-time London Marathon winner, is
gunning for a seventh victory, which would see
him surpass Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson as
the person with most victories in the event.
Mile
W’chair
Men
W’chair IPC World
Elite
Women
Cup
Women
Elite
Men
3:30Hr
Pace
4:30Hr
Pace
6:00Hr
Pace
Start
08:55
08:55
09:00
09:15
10:00
10:00
10:00
10:00
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
08:58
09:01
09:05
09:08
09:12
09:15
09:19
09:22
09:25
09:29
09:32
09:36
09:39
09:43
09:46
09:49
09:53
09:59
10:03
10:07
10:10
10:13
10:13
10:17
08:58
09:02
09:06
09:10
09:14
09:17
09:21
09:25
10:29
09:33
09:36
09:40
09:44
09:48
09:52
09:55
09:59
10:03
10:07
10:11
10:14
10:18
10:22
10:26
09:05
09:11
09:16
09:22
09:27
09:33
09:38
09:44
09:49
09:55
10:00
10:06
10:11
10:17
10:23
10:28
10:34
10:39
10:45
10:50
10:56
11:01
11:07
11:12
09:20
09:25
09:31
09:36
09:41
09:47
09:52
09:57
10:03
10:08
10:13
10:19
10:26
10:29
10:35
10:40
10:45
10:51
10:56
11:01
11:07
11:11
11:17
11:23
10:04
10:09
10:14
10:19
10:23
10:28
10:33
10:38
10:42
10:47
10:52
10:57
11:01
11:06
11:11
11:16
11:21
11:25
11:30
11:35
11:40
11:44
11:49
11:54
10:08
10:16
10:26
10:32
10:40
10:48
10:56
11:04
11:12
11:20
11:28
11:36
11:44
11:52
12:00
12:08
12:16
12:26
12:32
12:40
12:48
12:56
13:04
13:12
10:10
10:20
10:30
10:41
10:51
11:01
11:11
11:22
11:32
11:42
11:53
12:03
12:13
12:23
12:34
12:44
12:54
13:05
13:15
13:25
13:35
13:46
13:56
14:06
10:13
10:27
10:41
10:54
11:08
11:22
11:36
11:49
12:03
12:17
12:30
12:44
12:58
13:12
13:25
13:39
13:53
14:06
14:20
14:34
14:48
15:01
15:15
15:29
25
26
26.2
10:20
10:26
10:25
10:30
10:33
10:35
11:18
11:23
11:25
11:28
11:33
11:35
11:59
12:03
12:05
13:20
13:28
13:30
14:17
14:27
14:30
15:42
15:56
16:00
10 / 45
e
R
t
eb
ne
Mar
sh W
all
MAR SH WALL
l
oad
er R
est
Lo
er
w
17 starts early
We encourage16runners to get to the
– the first trains leave central London at 06:50, so
Mudchute
if you travel into London together you will have
W
es
plenty of time. You won’t
be bored though – the
tfe
rry
Virgin Money London Marathon
elite wheelchair
Ro
ad
race starts at 08:55 so you will see them, plus
Island Garden
the IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup ambulant
para-athletes and the elite women before the
elite men and the masses come
Cuttythrough.
Sark
Cutty Sark
t
e
tre
eS
ov
Gr
ad
Ro
The mass race starts at 10:00 from Blackheath
and Greenwich Park. We don’t suggest
8
accompanying your runner to the start.
The assembly areas are for runners
only,
Deptford
so you will have to say goodbye well
before race time anyway. There are a couple
of options.
Tu
n
nch
d
For further travel information and updates call
0343 222 1234 or visit tfl.gov.uk/plan-a-journey/
AVOID THE START AREA
Heron Quays
all
Ma
et
re
GETTING STARTED
ar R
for
Maritime
Greenwich
falg
Tra
10
From Charing Cross you can take the
7 Northern
Greek Road
line southbound to Waterloo.
Greenwich
et
e
Str
’s H
th
11 / 45
om
Cro
ad
London Overground will run buses
Ro between
f
f
i
dr
Seven Sisters and Enfield Town/Cheshunt
and
Re
between Hackney Downs and Chingford via
ay
Walthamstow
Central to connect
gh W with London
Surrey Quays
u
o
l
P
Underground services to/from London.
St
There will be no service on the Northern
line between Archway and High Barnet on
Sunday 24 April. Until 10:15 there will be no trains
between Liverpool Street and Enfield Town/
ve
RACE DAY TUBE/OVERGROUND CLOSURES
ro
Please be aware that spectators who travel
with bicycles on the Docklands Light Railway
(DLR) on Race Day will be required to follow
instructions from staff, and may be asked
to wait for a less busy train. Spectators are
advised not to bring bicycles onto the DLR
on Race Day.
G
t
ree
St
With all roads closed, the only
get around is by public transport. London
Bermondsey
Underground, London Overground and
the
Docklands Light Railway (DLR) lay on extra
services on Race Day, and this is by far the
Bermondsey
best way to get around.
Canary Wharf
All runners are entitled
free travel to the
Southto
Quay
start on Southeastern trains from Charing Cross,
Waterloo East and London Bridge. If you were
to say goodbye at any one of these stations,
then it’s an easy transfer
onto the Underground
Crossharbour
to make your way onto the Marathon route, get
your spot and grab some breakfast too!
ec Chingford. The
Cheshunt (via Seven Sisters) and
W
ay all day on
Gospel Canada
Oak to Barking line is closed
Water
15
Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 April.
9
oa
y
rre Quays R
d
Jamaica
way
to Roa
ac
kw
Pre
GETTING AROUND BY RAIL
Qu
Bl
ad
ne
Su
er
ov
tD
ea
Gr
nt Road
12
La
25
18
Quays
Westferry Road
ng
11
Rotherhithe
Heron
ston’s
Ro
Rotherhithe
Lo
Canary
Wharf
10
19
30
el
B
Salter Road
ree
el
n
ru
N Colon
nade
S Colon
nade
Blackwall
y
Aspen Wa
n
Tun
St
Wapping
Poplar
West India
Quay
15
d
oa
20
ich Foot
ley
Wapping
20
ouse
Limeh
Shadwell
HALFWAY
Bridg
To
o
Towe
r
ridge The Shard
et
East In
All Saints
Poplar High Street
Greenw
13
e
Tower of
London
The Highway
Stre
ad
FIE LD
ow
East Ferry Ro
M ITH
EAST S
Westferry
Narr
14
Rotherhithe Tunnel
idge
Street
35
d
oa
THE HIGHWAY
23
Lond
on B
r
22
Tower Hill
R
ck
Do
Thame
s
21
Limehouse
ia
Ind
Lower
t
es
W
y
wa
ate
non St
Commercial Road
Shadwell
Fenchurch St
Monument
Tower Gateway
R
WESTFERRY OAD
B is
hop
sga
t
Aldgate
THE COURSE
Bank
YOUR GUIDE
Commercial Road
er G
Tow
eet
Aldgate East
Gree
Th
e
Av
e
YOUR GUIDE
Transferring onto the Jubilee line eastbound
gives a number of options. From London Bridge
station you can walk along Tooley Street to
Tower Bridge Road and see the runners just
before they cross Tower Bridge at Mile 12.
Or walk over London Bridge into the City of
London: the race passes underneath London
Bridge. If you are early enough (between 08:40
and 09:45) you will see the Virgin Money Giving
Mini London Marathon junior races, which start
just east of London Bridge. Later on, the main
race passes by at Mile 23.
If you keep walking you will reach Bank station,
a major London Underground interchange. It
also connects with the Docklands Light Railway,
so you can head east towards the Isle of Dogs
to see the race between miles 14 and 21.
Canada Water station and a short walk will take
you to Mile 9 at Surrey Quays. As above, if
you get back on the Jubilee line eastbound
you can get to Canary Wharf. Another option
from Charing Cross is to walk to Embankment
and connect with the District & Circle line
eastbound. Get off at Tower Hill and you can
watch the runners from a number of locations
in this area BUT it will be very, very busy. The
best option is to walk from Tower Hill station
to Tower Gateway on the DLR and head east
towards the Isle of Dogs.
If you are coming to Waterloo East station then
you should head for Waterloo Underground
station and follow the suggestions above. If
you are leaving your runner at London Bridge
station then see the suggestions above for
viewing and connections from London Bridge.
The London Overground has several stations
on, or very close to, the Marathon route –
Surrey Quays, Canada Water (connect with
the Jubilee line on the London Underground),
Rotherhithe, Wapping and Shadwell (connect
with the DLR). Trains run every 10 minutes
throughout the day. Please note Rotherhithe
and Wapping stations have restricted width
platforms and may have to close to boarding
passengers to prevent overcrowding.
AROUND THE COURSE
The Isle of Dogs, miles 14 to 21 on the Marathon
route, is well served by a number of Docklands
Light Railway stations. If a station is not
mentioned in the following pages then it is not
close enough to the route to be considered
spectator-friendly. The DLR connects with
London Underground at Canary Wharf station
(Jubilee line), Bank (District & Circle lines –
connect at Monument station) and Tower
Gateway (walk to Tower Hill – District & Circle
lines). So, when you’re ready to head back
towards the Marathon finish in central London
you can use these interchanges.
12 / 45
YOUR GUIDE
FROM THE START
TO GREENWICH
The start areas are
for runners only
SPECTATOR ROUTES
If you really must accompany your runner to the
start, you can travel on the same trains from
Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Bridge,
but will need to purchase a ticket as travel for
non-runners is not free. These trains are also
extremely busy, and non-runners are therefore
not encouraged. Remember spectators are not
allowed in the assembly areas.
Trains go to Blackheath, Maze Hill and Greenwich
stations, depending on which start runners set
off from. We would not advise travelling to
Blackheath (Blue Start) or Maze Hill (Red and
Green Starts) stations. There are no Underground
or DLR connections and the only way to leave is
to return to these stations and get a train back
into central London and this may take some
time. So if your runner is on the Blue or the Green
Starts, think carefully about this one.
However, Greenwich station (Red Start) is in
the town centre and also connects with the
DLR. Runners have a 20-minute walk to the
start assembly area from Greenwich station
(remember the assembly area is for runners
only). You could say goodbye at the station
and transfer onto the DLR and head out to
the Isle of Dogs where there are some
excellent viewing spots.
PLACES TO AVOID
If you want to follow your loved ones and get a glimpse as they pass, try to avoid very crowded
areas, where it can be difficult to find a viewing spot, hard to move and tough to get in and out.
These busy areas include:
reenwich town centre and the Cutty Sark. While the ship is undoubtedly a beautiful backdrop for the
G
race, the crowds that are attracted here can make spectating uncomfortable and transport in and around
Greenwich becomes particularly busy. We strongly advise spectators to avoid this area.
Tower Bridge and the Tower Hill area.
nywhere from Mile 23 to the finish in The Mall, especially around Westminster and Parliament Square.
A
Obviously many of you will eventually end up in this area later on in the day as you head to the runner
meet and greet area in Horse Guards Road.
13 / 45
YOUR GUIDE
THE ISLE OF DOGS
SHADWELL
(Connects with London Overground.) A short
walk from the station takes you to The Highway,
a very popular spectator spot as the race passes
by here twice. Please do not spectate in the
middle of the road and cross only at designated
crossing points.
The closest is at Glamis Road where a subway
under the road takes you from one side to
the other. The subway also has a ramp that is
suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
LIMEHOUSE
There are lots of options from here. Cut through
the park over the top of the Limehouse Link
and you will reach Narrow Street at Mile 14. This
lively part of the route has several pubs and is
very popular – noisy and busy – and narrow!
Or go the opposite way, walk down Butcher
Row and down onto The Highway to see
runners twice. Or turn right onto Commercial
Road and see runners at Mile 21, keep walking
along Commercial Road towards West India
Dock Road and you will find one of the lessbusy parts of the route.
WESTFERRY
Westferry station is small and has elevated
platforms so there are stairs to climb up and
down here. Please do not spectate from the
station platforms – follow instructions from
station staff. The station is at the eastern end of
Narrow Street.
From here, you can either walk up onto West
India Dock Road to watch, or follow the route
down Westferry Road. As the runners go
underneath the roundabout here you can walk
up the ramp onto Canary Wharf for further good
viewing opportunities.
POPLAR
The station is just behind Poplar High Street at
Mile 20 on the route. Again, it’s one of the less
busy areas; most of the spectators are locals here.
BLACKWALL
Exit the station towards Preston’s Road and the
runners will pass you as they make their way
towards Poplar High Street. If you walk up onto
Trafalgar Way you will be on the least busy
part of the whole route. If you are looking for
landmarks you will see the New Billingsgate Fish
Market, relocated here from the City of London
in the 1980s. It can be windy around here, so
after a while you may choose to keep walking
through to Canary Wharf.
HERON QUAYS
Due to ongoing building work at Heron Quays
this year, we suggest that spectators avoid
Heron Quays DLR station. The popular viewing
spot at Heron Quay roundabout (close to the
former City Pride pub) at miles 15 and 18 will
NOT be available. Access will be restricted.
The ongoing works will be fenced and
inaccessible and it will not be possible to see
runners at this location. All spectators should
follow the directions of event marshals who
will direct people to alternative viewing spots
in the area.
SOUTH QUAY
Although directly on the route, the exit
is on the ‘wrong’ side. We suggest that
spectators do not get off here but stay
on the train to Crossharbour.
CROSSHARBOUR
The George pub is a great place to catch the
action. Turn either left or right and move further
away from the station entrance if you want a
quieter spot to watch. Keep walking south and
you will come to Mudchute station.
MUDCHUTE
Located on East Ferry Road, close to the
17-mile point, this is a great spot to watch and
less busy than many other places on the Isle
of Dogs. The Lord Nelson pub on the corner of
East Ferry Road and Westferry Road is always
popular with locals.
ISLAND GARDENS
This is the southern-most station on the Isle of
Dogs so it will be busy with spectators coming
from Greenwich and the Cutty Sark to continue
watching the race. The corner of East Ferry Road
and Westferry Road is always congested, but if
you walk up Westferry Road towards the 16mile point you should find it easier to locate a
good spot to watch the race.
14 / 45
YOUR GUIDE
TOWER BRIDGE TO WESTMINSTER
EMBANKMENT/CHARING CROSS
Tower Bridge is
a fun but busy
place to watch
the action
MILE 23 OFFICIAL CHEERING POINT – MARSH & MCLENNAN COMPANIES ZONE
Come and join in the fun at Mile 23, the perfect cheering point from which to support your
favourite runners.
Marsh & McLennan Companies, a global professional services firm, are hosting a Cheering
Zone in aid of their charity partner, British Red Cross. Located beside the iconic Tower of
London and Tower Bridge, a hive of activity will welcome you with live music and children’s
entertainment. Enjoy a delicious BBQ, cakes and refreshments with all proceeds taken on the
day donated to British Red Cross.
This part of the route (from Mile 23 to The
Mall) will be very busy with spectators,
especially towards Westminster. Embankment
and Charing Cross stations will involve a longer
walk to the meet and greet area at the finish (up
to 20 minutes), however, these stations
will be less crowded than either St James’s
Park or Westminster.
A tube map will show you the various
connections you can make to reach these
stations from elsewhere on the course. The
main interchanges from the DLR to London
Underground are at Canary Wharf (Jubilee
line), Tower Gateway (walk to Tower Hill for
the District & Circle lines), Bank/Monument
(Northern, District & Circle and Central lines)
and Stratford (Jubilee and Central lines)
15 / 45
YOUR GUIDE
THE FINISH
Many thousands of you will make your way to
the finish area to be reunited with your runner.
Simply meeting your runner at the finish is not
enough though: pre-planning is vital in order to
avoid any distress.
ll
Pa
r Street
Nort
Runner
Meet & Greet
A-F
hR
uards R
ug
Horse G
oro
rlb
Ma
oa
ay
Th
R
T
oad
d
ll
Victoria
Station
ing
ha
m
Ga
te
ty
Pet
t
bankmen
Victoria Em
Great Geor
ge St
A
Bird
Storey’s Gate
in
ck
Bu
ck
e Walk
Birdcag
Street
alk
cage W
Queen Anne Gate
ad
Ro
C
Parliament Street
ur
Sp
Ga
Bu
te
m
a
gh
ue
i
King Charles
B
D
a
Horse Gu rds Aven
T
Runner
Meet & Greet
N-Z
St James’s
Park
Constitution Hill
E
Horse Guards
Parade
T
e
Lin
ish
Fin
Buckingham
Palace
all
alk
W
T
w
alk
W
Runner
Meet & Greet
G-M
it
it
a
eM
e
Ex
Ex
lic
nd A
venu
eh
Whit
ll
Ma
Marlborough
House Gardens
b
Pu
berla
T
Overseas
Repatriation
all
e
Th
Green
Park
hum
Admiralty Arch
ll M
Pa
n’s
Cockspu
ll
Ma
n
rlto
Ca ousece
H rra
Te
WESTMINSTER & ST JAMES’S PARK
Parliament Sq
Westminster
Tothill Street
ce
Fran
St James’s Park
KEY
Secure Area – Runners Only
ham
Pala
ce R
oad
Information
Buc
king
The closest stations to the meet and greet
area on Horse Guards Parade are Westminster
and St James’s Park. Both of these stations are
extremely busy so expect queues to get in
and out, especially from lunchtime onwards
when many spectators – including you! – make
their way to the finish. Congestion will be
compounded by runners who have already
finished and their families leaving the area,
and regular London tourists visiting the
landmarks nearby.
nd
ra
St
ee
The first point that you will be able to meet
your runner is at one of the A to Z meeting
points on Horse Guards Parade. The best way
to reach this point is by taking one of the
following suggested routes:
Charing Cross
Trafalgar
Square
Qu
The entire area, in and around St James’s Park,
is incredibly congested. Families and friends of
runners trying to catch a glimpse of their loved
ones on The Mall will be disappointed. You will
NOT be able to see runners cross the Finish Line.
It is far better to meet your runner on Horse
Guards Parade (see the map opposite).
Piccadilly
Circus Station
Toilets
Inn The Park Restaurant
The Route
Route to runner meet & greet area
Pedestrians one-way
Two-way public crossing point
One-way public crossing point
16 / 45
YOUR GUIDE
If you are arriving at St James’s Park tube, use
Queen Anne’s Gate crossing (C) to access the
meet and greet area and use Storey’s Gate
crossing (B) to make your way back to the station.
walk to the meet and greet area (up to
45 minutes from Victoria, 15 minutes from
Charing Cross and Piccadilly Circus and 20
minutes from Embankment).
If you are arriving at Westminster station you
will not need to use a crossing point to access
the meet and greet area. We recommend that
any wheelchair users wanting to access the
meet and greet area use this station as it has
step-free access and you will not have to use
one of the public crossing points.
Where stations are on the ‘wrong’ side of the
route, you will need to use the designated
crossing points. These are clearly signed and
marshalled. Again these will be busy and you
will often need to wait before you can cross.
Other stations that are relatively close by will
be less busy. Piccadilly Circus, Charing Cross,
Embankment and Victoria will involve a longer
Please do not use Green Park station as this
is not suitable to access the meet and greet
area. Heading to this station will only cause
distress and take far longer to be reunited
with your friends and family.
VICTORIA
Victoria will involve a longer walk to the meet
and greet area on Horse Guards Parade (up to
45 minutes). However, this station is likely to
be less congested.
We would advise that you use the pedestrian
footbridge on Spur Road (crossing point E)
to make your way to the meet and greet
area on Horse Guards Parade. The footbridge
will be two-way so you should also use it to
make your way back to Victoria station.
The footbridge is not suitable for pushchairs
or wheelchairs. A step-free alternative is to
use the Birdcage Walk crossing point (D).
FINISH AREA CROSSING POINTS
There are a number of crossing points around the course to help the public get around but the finish area is so busy on Race Day that there are
more crossing points around St James’s Park than anywhere else along the 26.2-mile route. If you have decided to brave the crowds and meet
your runner in the park you can cross the course at the following points (these crossing points are shown on the map on page 16):
TOREY’S GATE
S
One-way access only from north to south.
After being reunited with your runner
this is ideal for those of you wanting to
leave from St James’s Park tube. Please
note that this crossing point is suitable for
wheelchairs and pushchairs.
B
ARLIAMENT SQUARE
P
This is a two-way crossing point, ideal
for access to and from St James’s Park
tube towards the runner meet and
greet area. This crossing is suitable for
UEEN ANNE’S GATE
Q
One-way access only from south to north,
ideal for those of you arriving at St James’s
Park tube and wanting to make your way to
the meet and greet area on Horse Guards
Parade. This crossing point is suitable for
both wheelchairs and pushchairs.
IRDCAGE WALK
B
This is a two-way crossing point for access
to and from Victoria station towards the
runner meet and greet area. Suitable for
PUR ROAD
S
Two-way footbridge perfect for using
Victoria station before heading for the
meet and greet area and for going home.
Not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs.
17 / 45
YOUR GUIDE
COURSE MAP
O2 Arena
Tu
n
ne
l
MARS H WALL
North Greenwich
d
ium
ay
W
-B
kw
lac
Woolwich
all
Bugsby’s
l
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Westcombe Park
tle
Ma
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W
ale
of
ce
4
ters
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Pr
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2
Shoo
PA
SS
kla
Do
c
6
10
12
14
18
20
22
24
BIG
BE
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UN
WE
TO
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16
KF
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RH
ILL
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WH
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8
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CIR
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20m
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(Th
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40m
Road
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ster ad
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rt Line
Blue Sta
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over
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St John
A2
Blackhe
Green
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Start Lin
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Ch
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lton
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50m
2
Charlton
The Village
Hil
Av
e
ill
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om
Th
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ze
Greenwich
Cro
hS
wic
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1
2
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Str
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ac
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Com
6
10
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Gr
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Greenwich
Deptford Bridge
Cutty Sark
l
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Greek Road
y Place
Woolwich
Charlton
Woolwich Road
Greenw
Cutty Sark
for
Maritime
Greenwich
ch
5
ich Foot
Tun
Island Gardens
3
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Wo
oa
26
18 / 45
Woolwich Arsenal
et
8
Deptford
pr
Stre
ad
Ap
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Wils
Ro
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tre
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5
ad
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Street
Woolwich Dockyard
Way
ut
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w
Br
So
Mudchute
Lo
V
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Pimlico uxha
ll
Church
4
John
ne
n
Tu
New Charlton
mon
oad
d
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17
16
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02
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d
Plou
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Crossharbour
nn
d
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fR
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BL
AC
et
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Hig
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South Quay
ay
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Surrey Quays
all
ille
rou
15
9
Mars
M
Bo
W
ay
ac
kw
Heron Quays
18
nch
et
re
Bermondsey
25
Bl
Canary Wharf
Ma
St
New Kent Road
Elephant & Castle
oa
y
rre Quays R
ve
ro
G
Bermondsey
Su
Canada
Water
ec
30
Quays
oad
eb
Heron
19
on’s R
Qu
ne
Jamaica Road
Canary
Wharf
10
Blackwall
y
Aspen Wa
N Colon
nade
S Colon
nade
e
un
Br
Poplar
West India
Quay
o
lR
East India
All Saints
Poplar High Street
20
ouse
Limeh
15
11
Rotherhithe
12
La
idg
eR
Pub on couse
with music
ath
Wapping
t
d
ng
ree
ad
Roa
Lo
et
ad
t
St
Ro
Music on course
He
Wapping
ree
er
e’s
KM Marker
Lit
20
St
Towe
ley
r Brid
Lond
To
o
Stre
Shadwell
HALFWAY
ge
Tower of
London
13
ow
East Ferry Roa
EAST SM
Westferry
Narr
14
YRO
WESTFERR AD
Bis
ho p
on B
23
35
The Highway
Rotherhithe Tunnel
ridge
THE HIGHWAY
LD
ITH FIE
Prest
Borough
org
Pub on course
e
sga
t
ge
Brid
ark
Millenium Bridge
Blackfriars Bridge
22
Tower Hill
Street
Westferry Road
Blackfriars Road
21
Limehouse
d
oa
kR
oc
thw
nu
yA
ve
sb
ur
af
te
Sh
Commercial Road
Shadwell
Rotherhithe
Road
Borough
Mile Marker
Commercial Road
ov
Br
Thames
tD
all
Ge
Lower
ea
beth
Lam
Lambeth Bridge
St
Fenchurch St
Monument
Tower Gateway
Gr
Victoria
xh
Southwark
Waterloo
Lambeth North
Mansion
House
Canon St
London Bridge The Shard
Sta
London Eye
Houses of Parliament
reet
Victoria St
Va
u
or
mf
e
Westminster Bridge
St James’s
Park
Southwark
Fullers pub
on course
D
ia
ridg
Bank
Salter Road
Westminster
t
ee
tr
dS
Lucozade
Sport drink
nd
tI
es
W
dB
Buxton Natural
Mineral Water
Aldgate East
Aldgate
y
rfor
ge
oad
e
lac
rP
no
ve
os
Gr
26
25
nge
all
e Guards R
rs
Fin
Buckingham
Palace
Hu
Brid
Ho
Lin
eh
Whit
Th
e
ish
loo
Road
ll
a
eM
Hyde Park
40
Embankment
St James’s
et
eet
24
ter
Wa
Cross
Green Park
Upper Thames Str
Stre
wa
ate
Charing
Pic
St Paul’s
Cathedral
Blackfriars
Temple
Victoria Embankment
Charing
Cross
gate
Road
e
y
t
ee
Str
nt
ge
Re
Piccadilly
Circus
illy
d
ca
and
Str
Leicester Square
New
St Paul’s
er G
Tow
swa
King
Fleet Street
City
Sou
lborn
Farringdon
High Ho
KEY
YOUR GUIDE
PUBS & BARS ALONG THE ROUTE
RAISE A GLASS TO THIS YEAR’S AMAZING VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON
RUNNERS AT ONE OF THE MANY PUBS AND BARS ALONG THE COURSE...
PUBS & BARS ON THE COURSE OF THE
2016 VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON
If you plan to watch the Virgin Money London Marathon from one spot, why not head to
a pub on the route? All the pubs listed below are putting on special events, many linked to
charities, which are listed after the pub’s address. These pubs and bars appear on the map on
the previous page
The Royal Standard
44 Vanburgh Park
London
SE3 7JQ
Blackheath
Newbridge Social
Club
22 Charlton Road
London
SE3 7HG
The White Swan
22 The Village
Charlton
SE7 8UD
Kings Arms
1 Frances Street
Woolwich
SE18 5EF
E
njoying a pint is the last thing on the
mind of most runners in the Virgin Money
London Marathon but, for spectators,
watching from a pub on the course with a drink
and some pub grub makes for a perfect Sunday
morning. And what better way to complement
your drink than listening to live music from one
of the 40 bands playing on the day?
Along the 26.2 miles of the course, there are
52 pubs, bars and restaurants taking part in
the Virgin Money London Marathon bestdressed venue competition as part of our
celebration scheme – many of these will have
bands playing in the vicinity, helping to create
a carnival atmosphere.
London’s landlords and landladies have been
invited to join in the Marathon festivities by
dressing up their pub with banners, balloons
and bunting (supplied by the Virgin Money
London Marathon) and any other colourful
decorations. The establishment that is
judged the best dressed wins a champagne
dinner for two.
Many of these pubs are linked to charities
who have runners in the race. They are
providing a base for the charity supporters
to cheer on their families and friends and,
with the help of the bands, they will create
an amazing atmosphere for the runners. In
the panel on the right you will find a list of
all participating pubs and bars on the course
complete with the address and, if there is
one, the affiliated charity.
Take a look at the map on page 18 to find
a pub and join in the fun. Fuller’s pubs are
marked by the red crest and serve Fuller’s
London Pride – the official beer of the Virgin
Money London Marathon.
The Albion
Woolwich
Church Street
London
SE18 5NN
Clancy’s
1 Warspite Road
London
SE18 5PG
The White Horse
704 Woolwich Road
London
SE7 8LQ
The Antigallican
428 Woolwich Road
London
SE7 8SU
The Rose of
Denmark
296 Woolwich Road
London
SE7 7AL
The Pickwick
246 Woolwich
Road
Charlton
SE7 7QU
Angerstein Hotel
108 Woolwich Road
London
SE10 0LE
The Crown
176 Trafalgar Road
London
SE10 9TZ
King William Hotel
155-159 Trafalgar
Road
London
SE10 9TX
Hardy’s Public
House
96/92 Trafalgar
Road
The King’s Arms
251 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2JX
The Minories
64-73 Minories
London
EC3N 1JL
Pommelers Rest
196-198
Tower Bridge Road
London
SE1 2UN
The Kitchen
@ Tower
Byward Street
London
EC3R 5BJ
The Bridgehouse
Bar & Dining Room
218 Tower Bridge
Road
London
SE1 2UP
The Walrus &
Carpenter
45 Monument
Street
London
EC3R 8BU
The Sail Loft
11 Victoria
Parade
London
SE10 9FR
Slug and Lettuce
Unit 1
St Katharine
Docks
East Smithfield
E1W 1AA
Fine Line
1 Monument Street
London
EC3R 8BG
The Duke
125 Creek Road
Deptford
SE8 3BU
The Grapes
76 Narrow Street
London
E14 8BP
The Farriers Arms
214 Lower Road
London SE8 5DJ
Aniseed
25 Westferry Road
London
E14 8JH
London
SE10 9UW
Spanish Galleon
48 Greenwich
Church Street
Greenwich
SE10 9BL
The Gate Clock
275 Creek Road
Greenwich
SE10 9EB
The Lord Hood
300 Creek Road
Greenwich
SE10 9SW
The Surrey Docks
185 Lower Road
London
SE16 2LW
Pizza Hut
The Mast Leisure
Park
5 Teredo Street
London
SE16 7LW
Moby Dick
6 Russell Place
Greenland Dock
London
SE16 1PL
The Old
Salt Quay
163 Rotherhithe
Street
Rotherhithe
SE16 5QU
Hubbub Cafe Bar
269 Westferry Road
London
E14 3RS
The Ship
290 Westferry Road
London
E14 3AG
The Lord
Nelson
1 Manchester Road
London
E14 3BD
All Bar One
42 Mackenzie Walk
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5EH
Brunel Bar
47 Swan Road
Rotherhithe
SE16 4JN
Slug & Lettuce
51- 55 Mackenzie
Walk
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5EH
The Ship
39 Marychurch
Street
Rotherhithe
SE16 4JE
The Railway Tavern
576 Commercial
Road
London
E14 7JD
The Gregorian
96 Jamaica Road
Bermondsey
SE16 4SQ
Chamberlain
Hotel
130-135 Minories
London
EC3N 1NU
Monument
18 Fish Street Hill
London
EC3R 6DB
The Britannia
20 Monument
Street
London
EC3R 8AJ
The Banker
2 Cousin Lane
London
EC4R 3TE
The Pepys
Stew Lane
48 Upper Thames
Street
London
EC4V 3PT
Temple Walkabout Temple Station
Temple Place
London
WC2R 2PH
Red Lion
48 Parliament
Street
London
SW1A 2NH
Sanctuary
House Hotel
33 Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9LA
19 / 45
ELITE WOMEN
OUT TO WIN
THE GIANTS OF MARATHON RUNNING WILL BE BACK
IN THE CAPITAL ON SUNDAY TO GO FOR GLORY IN A
RACE THAT’S SET TO BE THE MOST FIERCELY FOUGHT
SHOWDOWN YET. MATTHEW BROWN TAKES A LOOK AT
THE COMPETITION
Tigist Tufa will return to the scene of her
greatest triumph when she lines up to defend
her Virgin Money London Marathon title against
the woman she beat to win the coveted crown
in 2015, Kenya’s Mary Keitany, and the woman
who won the world title last summer, Mare
Dibaba from Ethiopia.
Tufa upset the odds when she outran four
much-fancied Kenyans to take victory last
year, becoming only the third Ethiopian ever
to win the women’s race on a day that saw
record numbers cross the London Marathon
Finish Line. Tufa was at the head of them all,
producing a devastating burst in the last three
miles to clinch a shock win in front of two-time
champion Keitany.
Tufa returns to the British capital in 2016
determined to show that last year’s triumph
was no fluke after finishing sixth at the Beijing
World Championships last August, a race won
by fellow Ethiopian Mare Dibaba, and third at
the New York City Marathon where Keitany
enjoyed her second victory last November.
Find out more about the women Tufa is up
against in the following pages.
TIGIST TUFA, ETHIOPIA
MARE DIBABA, ETHIOPIA
Standout performance
Victory at the 2015 Virgin Money
London Marathon
A gold medal winning run at the
2015 World Championships
Medal haul
3 x gold at London 2015, Shanghai 2014
and Ottowa 2014; 2 x silver at Santa Monica
2014 and Jacksonville 2013; bronze at New
York 2015
Medal haul
3 x gold at 2015 World Championships,
Xiamen 2015 and 2014; 3 x silver at Boston
2015, Chicago 2014, Toronto 2011; 5 x bronze
at Boston 2014, Xiamen 2014, Dubai 2012, Los
Angeles 2011 and Rome 2010
Age: 29 | Marathon PB: 2:21:52
Did you know?
Tufa became only the third Ethiopian to
win the women’s elite race in London in
2015, after Aselefech Mergia in 2010 and
Derartu Tulu in 2001.
Did you know?
Dibaba became Ethiopia’s first ever
marathon gold medallist at the 2015
World Championships in Beijing.
Tufa became only the third Ethiopian to win the women’s elite race in London
22 / 45
ELITE WOMEN
ASELEFECH MERGIA, ETHIOPIA
FEYSE TADESE, ETHIOPIA
MARY KEITANY, KENYA
A course record victory at the
2012 Dubai Marathon
A personal best of 2:20:27 to finish second
at the 2014 Berlin Marathon
A sensational victory on her Virgin Money
London Marathon debut in 2011
Medal haul
4 x gold at Dubai 2015, 2012, 2011 and
London 2010; 2 x silver at New York
2015 and Paris 2009; bronze at 2009
World Championships
Medal haul
3 x gold at Paris 2013, Seoul 2012 and
Shanghai 2012; silver at Berlin 2014;
bronze at Eindhoven 2011
Medal haul
4 x gold at New York 2015, 2014 and London
2012, 2011; silver at London 2015; 2 x bronze at
New York 2011 and 2010
Did you know?
Tadese only returned from an ankle
injury, which kept her out of last
year’s Virgin Money London Marathon,
in October.
Did you know?
Keitany is attempting to become only the
fourth woman (alongside Ingrid Kristiansen,
Katrin Dorre and Paula Radcliffe) to win the
London Marathon three times.
Did you know?
Mergia was crowned 2010 London Marathon
champion after Liliya Shobukhova was
stripped of the title for doping.
Keitany is attempting to become only the fourth woman to win the London Marathon three times
23 / 45
ELITE WOMEN
FLORENCE KIPLAGAT, KENYA
PRISCAH JEPTOO, KENYA
JEMIMA SUMGONG, KENYA
A third Abbott World Marathon Majors
win at the 2015 Chicago Marathon
A dominant victory at the 2013 Virgin
Money London Marathon
Victory at the 2013 Rotterdam
Marathon
Medal haul
3 x gold at Chicago 2015, Boston 2013
and 2011; silver at London 2014; bronze
at Chicago 2014
Medal haul
5 x gold at London 2013, New York 2013, Paris
2011, Turin 2010 and Porto 2009; 3 x silver at 2012
Olympic Games, 2011 World Championships and
Padua 2010; bronze at London 2012
Medal haul
3 x gold at Rotterdam 2013, Castellon
2011 and Las Vegas 2006; 4 x silver at
New York 2014, Chicago 2013, Boston
2012 and San Diego 2008
Did you know?
Jeptoo won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics
having secured her place on the Kenyan team four
months earlier on her London Marathon debut.
Did you know?
Sumgong has placed in the top five in
all but two of the 13 marathons she has
completed in her career so far.
Did you know?
Kiplagat is the world half-marathon
record holder. She is competing in
her fifth Virgin Money London Marathon
in 2016.
Florence Kiplagat is the world half marathon record holder and will compete in her fifth London Marathon in 2016
24 / 45
YOUR
PERSONAL BEST
AWAITS
Lucozade Spor t provides carbo hydrates and ele ctrolytes to enhance hydration and help maintain pe rformance during prolonged
endurance exercise. LUCOZADE, LUCOZADE SPORT and the Arc device are registered trademarks of Lucozade Ribena Suntor y Limited
SPORT
ELITE MEN
BEST OF MEN
THE ELITE MEN’S FIELD IS YET AGAIN BURSTING WITH
PROVEN WINNERS AND POTENTIAL CHAMPIONS,
TOPPED BY THE TRIO OF KENYANS WHO FILLED ALL
THREE PLACES ON THE 2015 PODIUM. MATTHEW BROWN
PROFILES THE CONTENDERS
Eliud Kipchoge will resume his rivalry with
fellow Kenyans Dennis Kimetto and Wilson
Kipsang when he defends the Virgin Money
London Marathon title. Kipchoge beat twotime champion Kipsang by just five seconds in
a thrilling sprint finish at the end of last year’s
35th race as world record holder Kimetto was
left to fight for third place.
The top three will all have a wary eye on
another Kenyan, however, for Stanley Biwott
added much to his credentials by taking his first
Abbott World Marathon Majors victory in New
York last November.
As ever, the favoured Kenyans will be challenged
by runners from neighbouring east African
countries, not least Ethiopia’s triple Olympic
gold medallist and multiple world recordbreaking track champion, Kenenisa Bekele, and
Eritrea’s teenage hero from the Beijing World
Championships, Ghirmay Ghebreslassie.
With Rio 2016 Olympic places to be won,
there will be even more at stake for the
runners this year. Here’s who to look out for
as the race unfolds...
ELIUD KIPCHOGE, KENYA
WILSON KIPSANG, KENYA
Winning the 2015 Virgin Money
London Marathon
A 2:03:23 run at the 2013 Berlin Marathon –
which is a former world record
Medal haul
5 x gold at London 2015, Berlin 2015,
Chicago 2014, Rotterdam 2014 and
Hamburg 2013; silver at Berlin 2013
Medal haul
8 x gold at London 2014 and 2012, New York
2014, Berlin 2013, Honolulu 2012, Otsu 2011,
Frankfurt 2011 and 2012; silver at London 2015; 2
x bronze at 2012 Olympic Games and Paris 2010
Did you know?
The reigning Virgin Money London
Marathon champion ran a personal best
of 2:04:00 at the Berlin Marathon in
September 2015. He won four out of four
races during 2014 and 2015.
Did you know?
Kipsang currently holds the Virgin Money
London Marathon course record with a time
of 2:04:29 and is bidding to become the
fourth man to win the race three times.
Kipchoge returned to Berlin and triumphed in a personal best of 2:04:00
27 / 45
ELITE MEN
DENNIS KIMETTO, KENYA
KENENISA BEKELE, ETHIOPIA
STANLEY BIWOTT, KENYA
A world record-breaking 2014
Berlin Marathon win
A debut marathon win in Paris in 2014
Ran a career best of 2:04:55 to finish runner-up
at the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon
Medal haul
3 x gold at Berlin 2014, Chicago 2013
and Tokyo 2013; silver at Berlin 2012;
bronze at London 2015
Did you know?
Kimetto is the current marathon world
record holder, having set a time of 2:02:57
in Berlin in 2014 to become the first man to
run under two hours three minutes.
Medal haul
1 x gold at Paris 2014
Did you know?
Bekele has won three Olympic titles,
holds the world record for both the
5000m and 10,000m distances and will
make his London Marathon debut in 2016.
The Ethiopian legend will be hoping to spoil
the Kenya party ahead of this summer’s
Rio Olympic Games.
Medal haul
4 x gold at New York 2015, Paris 2012,
Chunchon 2011 and Sao Paulo 2010; 2 x
silver at London 2014 and Reims 2010;
bronze at Shanghai 2012
Did you know?
Biwott won the 2015 New York City
Marathon in November, his first Abbott
World Marathon Majors victory.
Kimetto ran a time of 2:02:57 in Berlin in 2014 to become the first man to run under two hours three minutes
28 / 45
ELITE MEN
SISAY LEMMA, ETHIOPIA
TILAHUN REGASSA, ETHIOPIA
GHIRMAY GHEBRESLASSIE, ERITREA
A victory in the 2015 Frankfurt Marathon
Victory at the 2013 Rotterdam Marathon
Medal haul
4 x gold at Frankfurt 2015, Vienna 2015,
Warsaw 2013 and Carpi 2012
Medal haul
2 x gold at Eindhoven 2014 and Rotterdam
2013; silver at Xiamen 2015; bronze at
Chicago 2012
A record-breaking win at the
2015 World Championships
Did you know?
Lemma ran a personal best of 2:05:16 at
the Dubai Marathon in January 2016,
finishing fourth. He also won the Frankfurt
Marathon last October to bring his list
of victories to four from eight career
marathons so far.
Did you know?
Regassa made a spectacular marathon debut,
finishing third at the 2012 Chicago Marathon in
2:05:27. He was the fastest non-Kenyan at the
2015 London Marathon, finishing fifth behind
Kipchoge, Kipsang, Kimetto and Biwott.
Medal haul
Gold at 2015 World Championships;
silver at Hamburg 2015
Did you know?
Ghebreslassie was just 19 when he became
world marathon champion in Beijing last
summer, surprising everyone as he claimed
a place in the history books as the youngest
marathon gold medallist ever.
Ghebreslassie was just 19 when he became world marathon champion in Beijing in 2015
29 / 45
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Proud to be c
4:30:00
nspcc
x6
ChildLine has helped
over 4 million children
since it was founded.
Over the course of
a 4.5 hour marathon,
we estimate over 600
children will contact
ChildLine.
Click here to Join Team NSPCC in 2017
Today, our NSPCC
runners are aiming to
raise £2.3 million to help
us be there for every
child who needs us.
Six young people, who have all been
helped by ChildLine or other NSPCC
services, are running for us as 'Team
ChildLine' this year. They’re aiming
to raise £30,000 together so that we
can continue to help young people
like themselves. Make sure you give
them a big cheer if you spot them
on the course! You can also support
them by texting CL30 to 70744.
© NSPCC 2016. Registered charity England and Wales 216401. Scotland SC037717.
This year we’re the official charity partner of the Virgin Money London Marathon,
a year that also marks 30 years of our ChildLine service.
g
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Insp
Join Team Macmillan for a run and have
hundreds of people cheer your name too.
Whether it’s a 5K or a marathon, city or scenic –
we’ve got a run for you.
Every Team Macmillan runner gets:
• a free technical running top
• expert training guides and online training zone
• all the support you need to get you to the finish
Together we’ll help ensure no-one faces
cancer alone.
Click hEre to find your perfect run
Alternatively:
visit macmillan.org.uk/findarun
email [email protected]
or call 0207 840 7878
Macmillan Cancer Support, registered charity in England and
Wales (261017), Scotland (SC039907) and the Isle of Man (604).
IPC MARATHON WORLD CUP
THE NEED
FOR SPEED
THE VIRGIN MONEY LONDON MARATHON CONTINUES
TO ATTRACT THE WORLD’S BEST PARA-ATHLETES,
WHO WILL THIS YEAR LINE UP ON SUNDAY 24 APRIL
TO SPEED AROUND THE STREETS OF LONDON. SARAH
MARL PROFILES THE CHALLENGERS
Twelve months on from their thrilling world
title wins in the British capital last April, US
wheelchair stars Joshua George and Tatyana
McFadden will return to defend their crowns at
the 2016 Virgin Money London Marathon when
the world’s best para-athletes go for gold in
seven IPC Athletics Marathon World Cup races.
George broke British hearts last year when he
edged out hometown favourite David Weir by
one second after a neck-and-neck battle down
The Mall, while the incomparable McFadden
completed a US wheelchair double and her own
London Marathon hat-trick in the women’s race
with her third course record in three years.
Weir equalled Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson’s
record of six London Marathon victories in
2012, and has been targeting a seventh ever
since. But the Briton had to settle for fifth three
years ago, lost out to Switzerland’s Marcel Hug
in 2014 and was forced to play second fiddle
again in 2015 when George chalked up his first
London victory with his first ever defeat of the
‘Weirwolf’ on a wet and blustery day.
Now the trio are ready to go wheel for wheel
again on Sunday 24 April in pursuit of the
US$20,000 winner’s prize, with the added
incentives of an IPC Athletics Marathon
World Cup title on offer to the victor. There
are also all important points to be won as the
London Marathon races become part of the
first ever Abbott World Marathon Majors
Wheelchair Series.
“It was a great battle with Dave last year,” said
George. “He is such a favourite on home soil and
it was fantastic to finally beat him and win such
a prestigious race. I’m really looking forward to
another great clash in London.”
Weir was hampered by a faulty glove, which
reduced his pushing power, 12 months ago
but still hung on to claim second in his 16th
London Marathon race. The elusive goal of a
record seventh title remains the 36-year-old’s
driving ambition.
“I said last year I will keep coming back until
I get the record, and that’s what I intend to
do,” said Weir. “It’s getting harder because
everyone’s out to beat me and I’m not getting
any younger, but with a bit of luck I’ll be back
on top this year.”
Hug will hope to be back to his best too after
dropping out last year with a puncture just six
days after winning the Boston title.
This won’t be a three-man race, however, for the
elite men’s line-up of 26 names is packed with
champions and record breakers – athletes such
as Canada’s 2010 London champion Josh Cassidy
and 10-time Boston Marathon winner Ernst van
Dyk, the South African star who won the New
York title last November but is yet to triumph in
London.
Last year’s bronze medallist Masazumi Soejima
is one of three top Japanese racers in the field,
while London welcomes back its course record
holder Kurt Fearnley, Australia’s two-time
marathon world champion who was the fastest
ever London Marathon winner when he beat
Weir back in 2009.
33 / 45
As for McFadden, the US superstar has
dominated women’s wheelchair racing in recent
years, chalking up 13 straight marathon victories
between October 2012 and February 2016.
Last year she swept the board for a third time,
completing the ‘grand slam’ of Boston, London,
Chicago and New York marathons for the third
successive year.
In London she defied the damp conditions,
smashing more than four minutes from her own
course record to win by more than two and a
half minutes in 1:41:14. Six days earlier she had
claimed the Boston title for a third time, and
she went on to break more course records in
Chicago and New York.
The triple Paralympic champion will be an
overwhelming favourite to take the London
crown again this April, although her winning
run finally came to an end in February this year
when she was beaten by Wakako Tsuchida at
the Tokyo Marathon.
The experienced Japanese racer will be one
of McFadden’s main opponents here. She has
won the Boston Marathon five times and has
triumphed in Tokyo for nine years in succession.
She is also the fastest woman on the start list
and will be keen to regain the London title she
won in 2010.
McFadden’s dominance could also come under
threat from Swiss star Manuela Schär, the 2013
world champion who has finished second in
London, Chicago and New York for the last
two years. Her compatriot Sandra Graf, the
Paralympic bronze medallist, should also be in
the frame as she aims to repeat her 2008 victory
on this course.
Three of McFadden’s talented US team-mates
are also on the start line, including the 2009
and 2011 London Marathon champion, Amanda
McGrory, who was a close second in 2013 and
third in 2015, and Susannah Scaroni, who was
fifth last year.
Shelly Woods is again Britain’s big hope for a
podium place. The London Paralympic silver
medallist was a commanding winner in 2012 but
dropped out last year with a puncture. Woods
will be joined by Jade Jones, the 20-year-old
three-times Mini London Marathon winner who
squeezed under two hours on her full marathon
debut two years ago.
IPC ATHLETICS MARATHON WORLD CUP
More than 70 of the world’s finest para-athletics
marathon racers will be in action at the 2016
Virgin Money London Marathon as the IPC
Athletics Marathon World Cup returns to the
streets of the British capital.
Four reigning marathon world champions, plus
five previous World Cup winners, will be among
the starters in the seven races that make up the
third edition of the World Cup.
The event for visually impaired runners,
amputees and wheelchair athletes was first
held in 2013 following the huge success of
THE FAVOURITES
MARCEL HUG
DAVID WEIR
JOSHUA GEORGE
MASAZUMI SOEJIMA
JOSHUA CASSIDY
ERNST VAN DYK
2014 London Marathon
champion
Defending London
Marathon champion
champion
Six-time London Marathon
champion
3rd London Marathon
2015
10-time Boston Marathon
champion
34 / 45
THE FAVOURITES
TATYANA MCFADDEN
Defending London
Marathon champion
SANDRA GRAF
champion
AMANDA MCGRORY
2009 & 2011 London
Marathon champion
WAKAKO TSUCHIDA
2016 Tokyo Marathon
champion
the marathon races at the 2012 Paralympic
Games. A second edition followed in 2014 but
it was replaced last April by the IPC Athletics
Marathon World Championships, held in London
in advance of the World Championship track
and field events in Doha last October.
No fewer than five world records fell in the first
two editions of the World Cup, while four were
broken in the World Championship races a year
ago. More could well be under threat in 2016.
Among the past London winners hoping to
taste victory again this year are Aniceto dos
Santos of Brazil, who cut more than nine
minutes from his personal best to take gold
in the T13 race for visually impaired runners 12
months ago, and US wheelchair racer Raymond
Martin, who turned the tables on Spaniard
Santiago Sanz in the T51/52 event.
Martin won four Paralympic titles on the track in
2012, and has eight world golds to his name from
2013 and 2015. But Sanz will be back too, seeking
revenge as he defends the World Cup title he won
by two minutes ahead of Martin two years ago.
Dos Santos faces London-based New Zealander Tim
Prendergast, the 2004 Paralympic 800m champion
who took more than a minute off his personal best
to bag a bronze in the 2015 T13 event.
SHELLY WOODS
2007 & 2012 London
Marathon champion
JADE JONES
Three-time Mini London
Marathon champion
Gabriel Macchi of Portugal, the 2013 and 2014
bronze medallist, could be favourite in the
T11/12 event, the other race for visually impaired
athletes. Japan’s world No.5 Yutaka Kumagai
and Colombia’s London 2012 silver medallist
Elkin Serna Moreno are likely to provide the
main opposition.
Italy’s 2013 world champion Alessandro di Lello is
looking to regain the T45/46 title he won at the
inaugural edition after finishing second in 2014
and third at the World Championships last year.
The women’s T11/12 race features two strong
Japanese runners in Mihoko Nishijima and Yumiko
Fuji, who were fifth and sixth respectively last
year, after taking third and fourth in the 2014
World Cup. Germany’s Regina Vollbrecht also
returns to London after clocking a T11 world
record of 3:26:18 to finish seventh in 2015.
Britain’s hopes rest with Derek Rae in the
T45/46 event for arm amputees and former
wheelchair rugby player Rob Smith in the T51/52
wheelchair race.
Rae, a former joiner from Scotland, lost his arm
in a motorcycle accident six years ago. He took
four minutes from his PB to finish fifth at the
World Championships last year, while Smith, a
multiple British record holder, won World Cup
bronze in 2014 and was fourth at the World
Championships in 2015.
No fewer than 12 medallists from the 2015
Marathon World Championships will be in
action, including all six podium finishers from
the London Marathon’s traditional T53/54
wheelchair races which are again part of the
IPC Athletics World Cup event.
35 / 45
ONES TO WATCH
REGULAR RUNNERS AND FAMOUS FUNDRAISERS WILL
COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THOUSANDS OF CHARITIES
AT THIS YEAR’S LONDON MARATHON ON SUNDAY 24
APRIL. LIANNE HOGAN REVEALS WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR...
R
unners from all walks of life – from
mechanics, plumbers and teachers to
social workers, actors and sports people
– will come together to run this year’s Virgin
Money London Marathon. Here are just a few
of the famous, and regular, runners who will be
hoping to raise thousands of pounds for worthy
causes as they take on the 26.2-mile challenge...
CHRIS EVANS
Fundraising for BBC Children in Need
TV presenter, radio DJ and
car enthusiast Chris Evans
will be running the Virgin Money London
Marathon for the second time after making
his debut at the race in 2015. Best known for
his chaotic and loveable Channel 4 shows
The Big Breakfast and TFI Friday, he currently
hosts The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on
BBC Radio 2 and is one of the new hosts of
BBC’s Top Gear. He will be running this year
as part of a team raising money for BBC
Children in Need.
P H OTO : G A R M I N
THE GREAT
AND THE GOOD
DAME KELLY HOLMES
NATALIE DORMER
Fundraising for The Dame Kelly
Holmes Trust, Myeloma UK,
Mind, The Pickering Trust and
Hospice in the Weald
Fundraising for NSPCC
Double Olympic gold
medallist Dame Kelly
Holmes will make her
debut at the London
Marathon this year, inspired to run after
watching some friends take part last year.
“I was blown away by the atmosphere,” she
says. “I was also amazed at the diversity of
the runners – so many shapes, sizes, ages
and ethnicities. I thought to myself, ‘Well if
they’re all doing it then so should I!’”
Kelly won gold in the 800m and 1500m
at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens,
famously roaring her celebration as she
crossed the finish line. She founded The
Dame Kelly Holmes Trust in 2008, helping
athletes, at varying stages in their careers,
transition from sport and use their unique
skills to transform the lives of disadvantaged
young people through mentoring
programmes.
“I’ve supported many charities and been
an ambassador for them for much of
my life,” she says, “but I’ve never done
anything where I ask people to support
me, so running the London Marathon will
be a unique opportunity for me to ask for
something back.”
British actress Natalie Dormer
currently stars as Margaery Tyrell
in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones and
has appeared alongside Jennifer Lawrence in
blockbuster film The Hunger Games: Mockingjay.
She has also starred in the hit TV series The
Tudors and most recently in supernatural horror
movie The Forest.
This will be the second time Natalie has run
the Virgin Money London Marathon after she
completed the 2014 race in 3:50:57. She is
running to raise money for the 2016 Charity of
the Year, NSPCC, which is celebrating 30 years
of its acclaimed children’s service, ChildLine.
DANNY MILLS
Fundraising for Bobby Moore Fund
Former England footballer
Danny Mills made 19
appearances for his country, most notably at
the 2002 World Cup. He was part of the Leeds
United team that reached the Champions
League semi-final in the 2000/2001 season,
and the Charlton Athletic side that won
promotion to the Premier League in 2008.
Since retiring in 2009, Danny has joined the
commentary team on BBC Radio 5 live. He
will be making his London Marathon debut
raising money for the Bobby Moore Fund,
which supports Cancer Research UK’s work to
beat bowel cancer.
36 / 45
ONES TO WATCH
CHRIS CHITTELL
Fundraising for Bloodwise
A veteran of the London
Marathon, Chris Chittell is best
known as much-loved Emmerdale favourite Eric
Pollard. He has played the five-times married,
smooth-talking businessman since 1986, making
him the longest-serving cast member of the ITV
soap. This will be Chris’s 12th London Marathon,
which he will run in support of the charity
Bloodwise, formerly known as Leukaemia &
Lymphoma Research.
MAXINE NAPAL
Fundraising for Down’s
BECKY DOYLE
Fundraising for Liam’s Smiles
Becky Doyle and her husband
Colin, former Birmingham City FC
goalkeeper, set up Liam’s Smiles, in support of
Meningitis Now, to raise awareness after their
son Liam was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis
aged just seven weeks in July 2010. Born four
weeks premature, Liam has suffered from fits
and seizures all his life. He was diagnosed with
epilepsy in July 2012, viral meningitis in December
that year, ataxia (meaning he suffers from a
constant body tremor) shortly afterwards and,
most seriously, pneumococcal septicaemia, a
deadly form of meningitis, in May 2014.
Syndrome Association
Maxine will be running this
year’s London Marathon to raise money for
the charity Down’s Syndrome Association,
who have supported her and her husband
since the birth of their son Rukai.
Liam has battled bravely throughout his
short life and always with a smile. Becky is
running the London Marathon to help prevent
meningitis affecting other families in the way it
has affected her family.
Rukai was born with Down’s syndrome,
something which Maxine says was met
with “pity instead of congratulations,
whispers instead of smiles” at the hospital,
something she wants to change for other
families in a similar position. Supporting the
charity’s ‘Tell it Right, Start it Right’ initiative
to help midwives and medical professionals
understand the nuances of delivering a
diagnosis in a supportive, realistic, positive
way, not with outdated facts and pity,
Maxine will be running the London Marathon
for the first time.
TEAM BLIND AS A BAT
Fundraising for RP Fighting Blindness
A 24-strong team, including visually impaired
runners and their guides, will be taking on the
London Marathon to raise funds for RP Fighting
Blindness. Team member Roger Backhouse,
from Surrey, suffers from retinitis pigmentosa,
a genetic disease which causes deterioration
of sight and often leads to blindness, and
will be hoping to raise money and awareness
alongside fellow team members Madeline
and Harry Coe, children of former track athlete
Lord Sebastian Coe.
The team hopes to raise £175,000 to support
Professor Robin Ali at the UCL Institute of
Ophthalmology in his hope of building a
programme of clinical trials, the next stage
of finding an effective treatment for RP, in
the final year of his five-year gene therapy
research project.
BEN SMITH
Fundraising for Stonewall and Kidscape
Most people find the prospect of running one
marathon daunting enough; not so Ben Smith.
Ben will instead take on the challenge of
running 401 marathons in 401 days, across 309
locations in the UK. The London Marathon will
be number 237.
Ben will be hoping to raise £250,000 for two
charities close to his heart, Stonewall and
Kidscape. After suffering a breakdown as a
result of being bullied from a young age, Ben
twice tried to take his own life. However,
after therapy and the support of his family
and friends, Ben was able to come to terms
with the bullying and has now turned his
attention to helping others learn that no
matter what happens in life, there can be a
positive outcome.
These are just a few of the determined runners
who are taking on the race in 2016 and we hope
each one of them will be successful in their
fundraising mission. Be sure to give them a big
cheer if you spot them as they make their way
to the world-famous Finish Line on The Mall!
37 / 45
Amber transforms lives by offering
a fresh start to unemployed, homeless
young people seeking a new direction
in life. At our three residential centres
we provide 24 hour accommodation
and support for marginalised 18-30
year olds who want to get their lives
back on track
transforming lives
find out more 0800 652 1081
amberweb.org
Registered charity 1051388
Amber
#ONEINAMILLION
Every London Marathon is a magical day to remember but 2016
will be super-special as we get set to celebrate the
races’s one millionth finisher, says Annie Rice
T
his year’s Virgin Money London Marathon
is set to make history. On Sunday 24 April
the one millionth finisher will cross the
Finish Line of the world’s greatest marathon
and to celebrate we have created our
#oneinamillion campaign.
The campaign was launched on Chris Evans’s
BBC Radio 2 breakfast show in January with
the help of world record holder and three-time
London Marathon champion, Paula Radcliffe.
Since the first London Marathon in 1981 when
6,255 runners crossed the Finish Line, the event
has gone from strength to strength and we are
excited that this year’s race will mark the one
millionth runner to finish the race.
This historical occasion has given us time to
reflect on the incredible achievements of
past participants, and with that in mind, we
would like everyone who has run the London
Marathon in the past 35 years to remember
their experience and celebrate their part in the
history of this amazing race.
“We want to celebrate every member of the
London Marathon family,” says Event Director
Hugh Brasher (he’s #oneinamillion 23,967). “This
is about every single runner who has ever run
the event, from club runners to our champions
and world record holders, from the charity
runners who have raised so many millions for
good causes to first-timers.”
SHARE YOUR MEMORIES
We want to hear from you! Every runner who
has completed the London Marathon in the
past 35 years has a unique experience and many
memorable moments to share. Race Day is a
special day for everyone involved, so to share
your personal memories from the occasion, why
not join the conversation?
If you’ve run the London Marathon before, we
want you to share a photograph of you with
your medal and tell us your memories of the
most significant moments from the big day.
Share your memories with us at www.facebook.
com/LondonMarathon and www.twitter.com/
LondonMarathon and don’t forget to use the
hashtag #oneinamillion.
Every finisher from the past 35 London
Marathons is also able to order a special
#oneinamillion limited-edition T-shirt printed
with their unique #oneinamillion finisher
number. The online ordering system for the
#oneinamillion T-shirts is available now at
www.virginmoneylondonmarathon.com/
oneinamillion.
Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonsen, who were
joint winners of the first London Marathon in
1981, will have the number #oneinamillion 1.
41 / 45
#ONEINAMILLION
There were 6,255 finishers in the first year
so the 1982 men’s champion Hugh Jones, the
first British male winner, is #oneinamillion 6,256.
Runners in the 2016 Virgin Money London
Marathon will be able to order their unique
#oneinamillion T-shirts after this year’s race.
All profits from the special edition T-shirts will
go to The London Marathon Charitable Trust to
fund sports facilities in London and other areas.
We’ll announce the name of the one millionth
finisher on Monday 9 May once we’ve had a
chance to verify the 2016 race results – after
adding in the people who lost their timing
chip etc – so look out for the news on www.
virginmoneylondonmarathon.com. Who knows,
it could be you!
2016 HIGHLIGHTS
We have no doubt that you’ll have amazing
#oneinamillion memories to share after you’ve
run this year’s Virgin Money London Marathon.
To whet your appetite for the feast of fun that
lies ahead, here are just some of the exciting
things to look out for this year:
#oneinamillion 819,371), who won in 2012 and
2014, world record holder Dennis Kimetto and
New York City Marathon champion Stanley
Biwott. Triple Olympic track gold medallist
Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia and Eritrea’s
world champion Ghirmay Ghebreslassie are
also in the field. Turn to page 27 for more on
the leading men.
British ESA astronaut Tim Peake (he’s
#oneinamillion 386,675) will run the Digital
Virgin Money London Marathon on board the
International Space Station 17 years after he ran
the race on Earth in 1999. Find out more about
his out-of-this-world challenge on page 43.
Hollywood A-lister Natalie Dormer (she’s
#oneinamillion 899,834), star of The Hunger
Games and Game of Thrones, heads the
team raising money for the NSPCC, the
Charity of the Year.
TV and radio presenter Chris Evans (he’s
#oneinamillion 953,859), who made his
marathon debut in 2015, will be running as
part of BBC Radio 2’s Children in Need team.
Double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes
makes her marathon debut 12 years after
winning two gold medals at the 2004 Olympic
Games in Athens.
Ethiopian runner Tigist Tufa (whose
#oneinamillion number is 926,572), the
defending women’s champion, will compete
against a star-studded field. Turn to page 22 to
find out more.
Last year’s London Marathon champion Eliud
Kipchoge of Kenya (he’s #oneinamillion 926,541)
will take on countrymen Wilson Kipsang (he’s
Dick Beardsley and
Inge Simonsen are
number 1
42 / 45
ONE GIANT STEP
SPACE RACE
TIM PEAKE WILL TAKE THE LONDON MARATHON OUT OF
THIS WORLD WHEN HE RUNS THE DIGITAL VIRGIN MONEY
LONDON MARATHON ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE
STATION ON SUNDAY 24 APRIL. ALISON HAMLETT FINDS
OUT MORE...
O
n Sunday 24 April 2016, British
European Space Agency (ESA)
astronaut Tim Peake will boldly
go where no man has gone before by
running a marathon in space. He will
take on the 26.2-mile challenge at 10:00
BST as 37,000-plus runners set off from
Greenwich to take on the world-famous
London Marathon course. But unlike the
runners on Earth, he will be tethered to a
treadmill onboard the International Space
Station (ISS), 400km above the Earth.
P H OTO : E S A / N A S A
It will be another extraordinary first for
Peake, who is the first Briton to be selected
by the ESA for a mission to the ISS and the
first British man in space.
His space odyssey began back in 2009,
when he was accepted into the ESA
astronaut training programme [8,413
people applied for six places]. “As soon as
I got assigned to my mission to the ISS, I
thought, ‘Wouldn’t it be great to run the
43 / 45
ONE GIANT STEP
Digital Virgin Money London Marathon
from onboard the ISS?’,” says Peake. “The
London Marathon is a worldwide event.
Let’s take it out of this world.”
He’s quick to admit that his desire to be the
first man to run a marathon in space was
ignited by his experience of running the
London Marathon more than a decade ago.
“I ran the London Marathon in 1999 and
loved every minute of it,” says Peake (who
is #oneinamillion 386,675). “I was blown
away by the energy and the enthusiasm of
everyone involved, so when I heard that
I’d be going to the ISS in December 2015 I
asked the medical team if I could run the
2016 London Marathon in space on the
same day that everyone will run it on Earth.
I was thrilled when they said yes; I’m sure it
will be one of the highlights of my mission.”
TIM’S TREADMILL
To combat the weightlessness astronauts
experience in microgravity, Peake will wear
a harness that tethers him to the treadmill
as he runs, while watching the HD video of
the iconic London Marathon course on a
screen in front of him.
“The thing I’m most looking forward to
is that I can still interact with everybody
down on Earth,” he says. “I’ll be running it
with the iPad and watching myself running
through the streets of London whilst
orbiting the Earth at 400km above the
surface and going 27,000km per hour.”
He’s quick to point out there will be new
challenges to overcome too. “The treadmill
on the ISS isn’t like the ones you get in
the gym,” says Peake. “For a start it’s in the
corridor – next to the loo! – so there’s only
a blank wall to stare at. He will also have to
wear a harness, which creates a downforce
to keep his body on the treadmill.
“After about 40 minutes that gets very
uncomfortable,” he says.
CHANGING LIVES
Peake training on
Earth before his
space odyssey
Like thousands of goal-setting runners
on Earth, Peake will run the 26.2-mile
marathon distance for charity. The
43-year-old former Army Air Corps test
pilot will raise awareness for The Prince’s
Trust, which will have a team running
on Earth – Team Astronaut – while he’s
running on the ISS. After becoming an
DID YOU KNOW?
The International Space Station orbits the
Earth every 90 minutes. The temperature
on the ISS is about 20-21C. The oxygen
concentration is the same as it is on Earth
so the only environmental difference is
the lack of gravity.
ambassador for The Prince’s Trust last year,
he’s hoping that his performance will not
only promote The Trust’s work but also
inspire the next generation of scientists –
and runners.
“The London Marathon is a fantastic
event,” he says. “It brings people together
not just from all around the UK but from
all around the world. It’s also a lot of fun
and the atmosphere is just outstanding.
I can’t wait to feel part of the 2016 race.
Good luck to everybody!”
44 / 45

Virgin Money London Marathon 2016

Transcription

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