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Logistics & Accommodation for the event
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Hopefully I'll be in the FLM for the first time but I'm not sure how to get to the start, where to stay in London etc and wouldn't want it too late to book somewhere. I need advice on where to stay (family included) and how to get to the start on race morning. Any thoughts welcome.
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Travelodge, Travelinn type hotels will allow you to book now and cancel anytime upto 2:00pm on the day of arrival at no cost to yourself. I would stay near the finish rather than near the start. Getting to the start really is that easy, allbeit overcrowded.
I was up by St Pauls last year and had to use all the kerbs lowered for wheelchairs to cross all the roads to get up there as my legs wouldn't bend at the knee once I finished !
Taxi wasn't an option - no way could I have got into one !
I think more longer runs are called for this time !
They have all sorts of accomodation at v.good prices
Go by train from, I think, Waterloo? Someone might want to correct me on that though - you'd think that, living in London, I'd know these things...
But go early, the trains get packed. When I ran in 2001, I felt really sorry for the runner in the Mr Bump outfit who had NO chance of finding room on the train. Also, there'll be massive queues for the portaloos - another sound reason for going early.
But Fat Face is basically right - once you get into the Tube system, you won't be able to miss where you're going!
Are there any hotels in the area?
'Scuse my ignorance all you cheeky cockerneys but I'm from 't North and don't get down to London much. Last time was for the British Open 10K and we stayed in Knightsbridge (v. nice - good Italian for the pasta job)
Travelodge are cheap.
Quality near the end is St James, under half a mile from the finish but at circa £200 per night for a room. Unless you intend to cripple yourselve like courgie obviously did anywhere in London is fine.
If you have a tent you can pitch in my garden, its took me 30 minutes from home to the start (including walking to the station)
Express Holiday Inn (Greenwich) 020 8269 5000
www.TravelInn.co.uk recomend London County Hall just across the bridge from Big Ben and so within 1 mile of finish. 0870 2383300.
I've not stayed at any of these so can't comment further.
For luxery try.
Tower Thistle Hotel (where all the top atheletes stay HI to the Penguin.
St James in Victoria
or The Dolphin - I have stayed at the last two and would highly recomend both. The Dolphin is in Dolphin square and features Rhodes in the Square. One of Garys restaurants. Food is supurb and good value, but avoid room service which is expensive and of very poor quality in my view.
I was also put off when I turned the last corner only to find someone running as a large pink mobile phone dead ahead of me.
I then did a detour to finish on the far side of the road to make sure a fancy dress costume wouldn't be in my finish photo !
Take my hat off to these people - how much harder can they make it on themselves !
A large pink mobile phone? I can better that!
In 2001, I had back problems but ran anyway. I basically hobbled the last few miles as I was determined to finish. Just before the turn into, I think, Birdcage Walk, a huge cheer went up behind me. I turned round to see a Viking Longship and assorted Viking warriors bearing down on me. How depressed did that make me feel!?
(Must know a short cut or something, mutter mutter)