No navigation skills- how to get to the start line!

I am the type of sad sack that utterly relies on my sat nav, moved from a city to the sticks years ago and lost all ability to negotiate my way anywhere in the process!  I have gone through panic about what to take, booking hotels, who is going to look after the dog, will I be fit enough and I am now panicking about whether I can find my way from the hotel (travelodge docklands) to the blue start- I am not sure if I would be unhappy without anything to panic about but if anyone knows directions it would be much appreciated!  Got the magazine with train info, looked at the tube map and am completely useless at understanding directions/times etc in either!

Follow the mass of people with kit bags, but if you are worried i am sure that there will be some more runners staying at the travelodge who would only be too pleased to help a fellow runner and let him tag along, don't worry you will be fine.

 Cheers Billyboy,

Get on a DLR aimed at Lewisham. Get off at Greenwich, follow the crowds

Find someone with a blue number (there will be a few thousand of them to spot)

Follow them closely!

Cheers- god knows why I panic about this stuff when I know rationally it will be fine- combination of OCD and having visions of me being the only person from my hotel going that way and getting lost in the subway system! London scares me- the last time I was there, I got lost on the tube and it felt like I was going round and round the subways for days- although it was probably not that long but was in my head!

You'll be fine. The hotel staff will get you to the right DLR station. I think East India is close, but you'll have to go towards the City and change at Limehouse for Lewisham.

If you get a cab to Canary Wharf station you'll be on the right line. The crowds will tell you whihc platform. I'm sure there will be others doing exactly the same 

Dont worry about being the only person at that hotel as I am also staying there and I have seen at least one other person on here staying there as well. 

I was planning on getting on the DLR at East India, which as blueski35 mentions is nearby, getting off at Westferry DLR station and then on to Greenwich 

Once on the DLR I would have thought that there will be a lot of other people to follow to the blue start 

LOL...I have found this funny...not lolling at you but only that I am the same. I am like a country bumpkin when I go to London and need to get strict instructions on what train to get, where to get off, what tube line etc etc. I am today busy planning a trip up this saturday to watch Runningbear do the Olympic 10k run. I WILL get lost, of that I am sure. 

My first London in 08, I was lucky enough to stay at my brothers in Teddington - he drove me to Charing Cross in the morning and then as above mentioned, I just followed the crowds with their kit bags slung over their shoulders. As soon as you get into central London, you will be amongst hundreds and then thousands, of others just like you...and going off on a tangent - I remember that amazing feeling to be part of such an awesome event, with all those others, all nervous just like you and pretty much everyone smiles and lots of chats on the trains. Great fun....fabulous day. O.K...enough now, I'm not running it this year......lol.

You're going all the way to London to watch someone jog a 10k?!?

Could be worse? she could be dressed as a Bumble Bee or something bloody silly like that..!!

Well, that is the plan so far. Sounds like a marvellous event not necessarily the 10k itself, but just the whole being there thing...in the Olympic park etc etc.

Runningbear is doing the Olympic 10k and Flatfooted and I are going to cheer her on. Cool eh ?? We will be in the stadium and see shedloads of other runners doing it. I was well peed off I knew nothing about it so did not register. This will be a pretty fine event to watch I'm thinking.....IF I get there and don't get lost.....lol. 

Well, that is the plan so far. Sounds like a marvellous event with just the whole being there thing...in the Olympic park etc etc and yes, a little 10k to watch..

Runningbear is doing the Olympic 10k and Flatfooted and I are going to cheer her on. Cool eh ?? We will be in the stadium and see shedloads of other runners doing it. I was well peed off I knew nothing about it so did not register. This will be a pretty fine event to watch I'm thinking.....IF I get there and don't get lost.....lol. 

Sounds rubbish to me, another cash cow from the Olympic name... call me cynical 

Well each to their own...and I'm not going to say the obvious and call you cynical cos that's just what you want.......ooops....just did it !! 

I have tried as hard as I can to get tickets to get in to see some sports events....failed !!

I also ran a marathon last Sept which said it took in views of the Olympic stadia etc....it did, but not enough for my liking.

I want to see it and be a part of something that is going on and this ticks the box....plus good opportunity to hook up with some Buzzer pals and have a chat and some laughs.

I also know quite a few other runners who are taking part and I think it will be just awesome to see them running into the Olympic Stadium.....I might even shed a tear or two.....lol.  

I've seen many stadia, and I've seen the Olympic one (and I mean inside).  Prepare to be underwhelmed.

Are you 2 married..?

Hi

Im sure you will be fine, make sure you dont follow the majority from Greenwich as they will be going to the Red start as the 'official' station for the Blue start is Blackheath. To get to Blackheath means getting the overland train as the DLR does not go there and the DLR is easier from docklands. Normally getting to Blue from Greenwich would not be a problem just a slightly longer walk but ok.

Looking in the magazine however there is an extra piece of information that says:

"In preparation for the Olympic Equestrian events, access around the start is restricted to both runners and spectators. If you are travelling by train please ensure you use the correct station (see section Where and When to Start on page 39)."

Its a bit vague and I'm not sure what this means exactly, I know the equestrian events are taking place on Greenwich Park and maybe areas that previously would have let you get to the Blue start are blocked? 

I think its worth a call just to make sure you dont want to find out on the day that its an extra mile to walk around this.

aaarrghh! more confusion! I rang gthe hotel- they say it will be fine, and will help me out.  I need a chaperone- might carry my sat nav around with me!

It's literally impossible to get lost in London - street names and signs are everywhere, just take a map or ask the locals!

Are you near Charing Cross station ? If so, there is a train that goes direct to Blackheath from there. The station will be stuffed full of other runners going there as well. You will be fine....if I can do it, anyone can.

OK heres a plan to get to Blackheath station where you really cant get lost going to the Blue start as everyone on the train is heading there. According to TFL it takes 36 minutes (22 minutes by DLR to Greenwich so 15 mins longer) and a shorter walk at the end of it.

DLR from East India to Canning Town, change to take the tube jubilee line west to London Bridge. At London Bridge overland train to Blackheath station. Just make sure its the train to Blackheath not Greenwich on the departure board.

Train times from London Bridge are in the magazine Im getting the 8:10 which arrives at Blackheath 8:24. 

Then its a half mile walk from the station to the assembly area everyone will be heading that way so you wont get lost. Its a great atmosphere from there.

Here's a picture of everyone leaving the station (2 years ago)

And here's the road to the start, as you can see its a sea of runners!