Spectator Guide
Thank you for making Marathon Day an unforgettable experience!
To make your day as smooth as possible, please remember:
- Navigate the crowds: Some parts of the route can get extremely busy, so plan ahead to find the best spots to cheer on your loved ones.
- Meeting points: If you're meeting someone after they have finished, decide on a meeting point in advance. This ensures you can reunite without any hassle.
- Stay connected: Don't rely solely on your phone, as reception might be patchy in congested areas. Have a backup plan to stay in touch.
How to be the ultimate spectator
Get the TCS London Marathon app
Road closures will be in place
Where possible, we recommend walking to different parts of the route.
Use the map below to navigate the six busiest areas. These routes will be clearly signposted and diversions will be in place to assist with crowd flow so please listen to marshals' instructions.
- Cutty Sark/Greenwich
- Canada Water/Rotherhithe
- Tower Bridge/Tower Hill
- Canary Wharf
- Rainbow Row (Butcher Row, Limehouse)
- Victoria Embankment/Westminster
View the routes
The following areas are extremely busy
Please be mindful of the following:
- Crowd navigation: You'll need to be comfortable navigating through large crowds.
- Patience is key: You might need to wait up to 90 minutes to board trains at certain stations.
- Limited access: This could be the only part of the route you can visit, so make the most of it!
| Mile | Area | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5 | Cutty Sark | Cutty Sark DLR station will be extremely busy with queues up to 90 minutes at peak times. Consider walking from Deptford, Greenwich, Island Gardens or Maze Hill. |
| 9 | Canada Water | Canada Water station will be extremely busy. Use London Overground to Rotherhithe or Surrey Quays instead. |
| 11.5 | Bermondsey | Bermondsey station will be extremely busy. Consider using London Bridge station to access Jamaica Road and the surrounding area. |
| 13 | Tower Bridge | Arrive early for viewing spots. London Bridge is a better alternative to Tower Hill or Tower Gateway. |
| 18 and 19 | Canary Wharf and Heron Quays | Canary Wharf Underground station, and the surrounding area, will be extremely busy. For Canary Wharf, use the Elizabeth line or Canary Wharf DLR. For Miles 15, 17 and 18, use Crossharbour or South Quay. |
| 21 | Limehouse | Limehouse station will be extremely busy with queues up to 90 minutes. Expect queues of up to 90 minutes at peak times. Consider walking to and from Shadwell station via Cable Street, Westferry station or Poplar station. |
| 23 | Tower Hill | Tower Hill will be extremely busy, consider using Cannon Street or Mansion House. For Lower/Upper Thames Street, use Bank, St Paul’s or Southwark. |
| 26 | Westminster | Westminster station and St James’s Park will be extremely busy. Westminster station will be exit only from 07:00 to 19:00. It will be possible to arrive via this station but not to leave from it. Consider using Charing Cross, Piccadilly Circus, Victoria and Waterloo. |
Get around on Marathon Day with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers
Other places to consider
While most of the route is busy with spectators, some areas are often a bit quieter, as listed below.
| Mile | Area | Advice |
|---|---|---|
| 9 to 11 | Rotherhithe Peninsula | Rotherhithe Peninsula offers an enjoyable two-mile stretch of the route with several bands, a Community Cheer Zone and our brand new sustainability activation Woodland Way. Consider using the Thames Clipper to reach Rotherhithe Pier or London Overground to Rotherhithe or Surrey Quays. |
| 14/22 | The Highway | The Highway also offers the opportunity to see participants twice as they head to and from Canary Wharf. There will be bands and cheer zones on this lively stretch! Consider using Shadwell or Wapping Overground stations. |
| 15 | Westferry | Check out Westferry, where our Charity of the Year, Marie Curie, will have their Remembrance Runway. Consider using Westferry or Mudchute DLR stations |
| 16 | Isle of Dogs | Join a DJ and bring the noise with our New Balance Community Cheer Point on Westferry Road. Consider using Crossharbour DLR station. |
| 20 | Poplar | Poplar High Street is a great place to watch the action, especially if you want to join local residents Consider using Poplar DLR station. |
| 25 | Victoria Embankment | Victoria Embankment gets very busy, but it’s also easily accessible from several stations. Consider using Piccadilly Circus, Southwark or Waterloo stations. |
There are five accessible viewing areas on the course
They are managed by stewards and are barrier-free, providing better visibility for wheelchair users. We welcome spectators with disabilities, along with one carer or supporter. There is an accessible toilet at these locations.
| Location | what3words reference |
|---|---|
| Cutty Sark | ///honey.rift.chops |
| Canary Wharf | ///issues.towns.packet |
| Rainbow Row (Butcher Row) | ///trash.forget.gift |
| Tower Hill | ///papers.bonds.fault |
| Victoria Embankment | ///marker.local.forgot |
Meeting someone at the Finish? Use the Meet and Greet Area.
Your runner will take about 30 minutes to reach this area after crossing the Finish Line, so plan accordingly.
The area is located at Horse Guards Avenue, Whitehall, Horse Guards Road and Horse Guards Parade and features Meeting Points labelled with letters. Choose a specific letter to meet at in advance. You can view these on the map below under "landmarks". Don't rely solely on your phone, as reception might be patchy in congested areas.
View the meeting pointsHeading to a charity reception after the TCS London Marathon
Some of the incredible charities involved with the TCS London Marathon will be hosting post-event receptions to celebrate their participants’ achievements.
Please note that charity post-event receptions are for charity runners and/or friends and family, so if you have not received an official invite, please confirm your attendance with the charity.
View the charity locationsHow to protect yourself from mobile phone theft