Tubes!

Hello, Please could a Londoner tell me how to get from Stratford to the start on Sunday? I need to be at the red start. So.... i need to get to Greenwich paerk, or maze hill neither of which i can see on the tube map! Ahhhhh. Also where can i get an up to date tube map (not living anywhere near london!).

Chhers guys.
Jess. xx

It should be in your marathon magazine which you will receive soon if you haven't already.

Your best bet is probably the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) straight through from Stratford to Greenwich, and you can walk from there. But check on the marathon website (http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/site/runner_support/index.php?page=3). [london-marathon.co.uk]

A tube map (with DLR included) can be found at the Transport for London site - http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/maps-home.shtml. [tfl.gov.uk]

Good luck getting there on time! (allow lots)

Cheers vey much Seb!

Jess xx

Hi Jess.... i'm the same..staying in Kennsington on Saturday so need to get to the red start - i'm worried how long to give myself to get there in time .. the above though makes it sound quite straight forward..
Good luck !

You'll be fine amanda - the district/circle line to embankment will let you walk to charing cross where you can hop on a train to greenwich or maze hill. (That's what I'll be doing, though coming from further west.) Train times are in the marathon magazine, on the website (see above) and also on TFL's site (ditto).

Don't forget to allow plenty of time over and above what you might expect, to allow for: (a) maybe not getting on the first train if it's already full (b) plodding at a snail's pace through the crowds (c) depositing your bag of kit in the TNT lorry, and (d) last minute drink and nervous pee.

Hi Amanda & Jess,

JESS - For the Red start from Stratford the easiest is the DLR to Greenwich and get off at Greenwich Cutty Sark then walk up to the park - 2 mins. You'll see everyone going the same way as it's just there. Not sure there will be extra DLR services on the day so allow yourself some time - also, the DLR is slower than overground trains and will take a bit longer. Alternatively get the Jubilee to Waterloo East and take any of the Dartford bound trains via Greenwich, from Platform A and get off at Maze Hill Station, next to the park.

AMANDA - depending on your start, get to Charing Cross then get a train to either Blackheath (Blue Start) or Maze Hill (red/green start). Most people for the red/green start get tempted to get off at Greenwich Station assuming it's nearer - it;s not...Maze Hill is right next to the park.
There are extra trains for Charing Cross to both Blackheath & Maze Hill that morning but also lots of runners, so aim to be at Charing Cross between 7am-8am. journey to either Station is about 20 mins. Also, be aware that trains to both stations go to Dartford but use different lines - make sure you get on the Dartford via Blackheath for blue or via Greenwich for red/green. I;m sure there will be some FLM officials up there directing people.

Hope this helps. I live down in Blackheath, so if you need more directions/info drop me a note :lol:

V comprehensive Jose!

Just to add though, if anyone is trying to decide which station to pick up an overland train at, go to where they start if you possibly can. Last year I went to London Bridge and tried to get on trains that had come from Charing X and Waterloo East - about 5 full trains went through before I managed to get on one! If London Bridge is easiest for you to get to, just make sure you allow plenty of time to pick up a train.

Good luck running for Shelter - I ran for them last year and the post-race reception was great! Only problem was long queues for the shower and the fact I was really dehydrated so feeling too ill for much of the delicious pasta!

Thanks Seb - good luck to you too. I was injured last year do didn't run, but was one of volunteers at Shelter - I might have been one those who carried your bag to the reception area. They're a good charity to run for.
Maybe see you on the race day @blue start :) :D :)

Cheers guys! Great info. Any ideas how long i should allow to get from Stratford to Cutty stark tho? I really panic if i am rushed so be over jenerous with your suggestions!
Cheers!
Jess. xx

(what would i do without you lot!)

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/dlr/pdf/timetables/tt_stratford.pdf [tfl.gov.uk] should get you a timetable from Stratford - but check with the Marathon website or your magazine because I thought it was Greenwich, not Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich, where you get off.

Doesn't really matter though because the one thing I can guarantee you is that there will be hundreds of other runners on that train - just follow the crowds!

If the above link doesn't work try pulling down a timetable from http://www.tfl.gov.uk/dlr/traintimes/index.shtml, [tfl.gov.uk] or just go to the main TFL site and follow the links through to the DLR.

Hi jess
i will be travelling from stratford aswell. i used the journey planner on London underground web site.
a DLR train leaves Strattford at 07.04 you change at Canary wharf in the direction of Lewisham and get off at Greenwich arriving there at 07.32 so 28 minutes in total, there are earlier and later trains.
Travel on the DLr is not free but it seems daft to travel further to get on the free trains.
if you want to meet up on the morning and we can make the journey together let me know.
Marina

Cheers guys! Marina i might just take you up on that offer! Jess. xx