London Marathon. Plan around the route.

Use the runner’s allocated day and start

The announced 2027 London Marathon Double has two race days, so use the participant’s assigned day rather than assuming a Sunday start for everyone. Follow the runner’s actual reporting instructions. Supporters have different viewing and access arrangements; do not assume they can accompany a runner through controlled areas. For any later edition, check its own event format and date.

Treat any registration visit as another journey

Follow the current participant guide for collecting an event pack and completing preparation before race day. If a visit to the Running Show is required, record its venue, available collection window and the time you intend to attend separately. Add hotel bags or an airport arrival if they are part of that journey, rather than merging everything into a race-morning request.

• Prepare an airport arrival for the London stay
• Coordinate the hotel part of the visit

Use road closures as the basis of the route

Check the organiser’s current road-closure information and London travel updates before setting a vehicle collection. Streets may be inaccessible to cars while pedestrians or rail users can still approach from another direction. A nearby postcode is not evidence that a car can reach it. Agree a legal handover outside the relevant restrictions and assess the final walking or public-transport stage.

Do not plan to follow the runner by car

Choose a small number of realistic spectator locations using the official guide. Crowds, course crossings and transport queues can make movement between viewing points slow. Walking or public transport may work better than trying to reposition a vehicle alongside the race. If a car is needed before or after spectating, connect it to a fixed accessible location rather than the runner’s changing position.

• Understand Greenwich as a London area
• Plan the Canary Wharf part of a visit

Agree the reunion before race day

Use the official meeting information and choose a clear reunion point that the runner and supporters can reach after the finish process. The predicted finish time is not the moment the participant is ready to enter a car. Allow for collecting belongings, reaching companions and any additional rest. Provide one lead contact, keep phones charged and agree what happens if the runner’s pace or plans change.

Make the post-race handover manageable

Discuss the distance and surfaces between the reunion and the permitted car collection. Explain any equipment or assistance need for the travelling party. Keep a change of clothes, bags and other belongings assigned to the person who will bring them. Avoid a tight restaurant, train or flight commitment based only on the target finish; confirm the onward plan around a realistic passenger-ready time.

Choose a car arrangement that respects the closures

Separate pre-event and post-event transfers can be clearer than retaining a car with no reachable place to wait. Hourly hire may suit other appointments in the wider visit, but it cannot bypass road closures or create access to race areas. Review any waiting period, possible repositioning and the full itinerary before selecting the package.

• Review an hourly arrangement for the wider visit
• Prepare London journeys outside the event route

Prepare the request for the actual people travelling

State the role of each passenger and the arrangements you need.

• Event date, participant start instructions and any separate registration visit.
• Hotel address, desired collection and a proposed meeting point outside road closures.
• Supporter plan and the post-race reunion location.
• Estimated time the passengers will be ready for collection, final destination and any onward deadline.
• Lead contact, passenger group, bags and assistance or equipment requirements.

• Prepare the event travel brief
• Compare the vehicle and luggage guidance