New Course for FLM !!

[Deleted User] · June 2003

I heard a rumour (unfounded) that the organisers are looking at a new route.
Why not?
Don't get me wrong...I love the start and the finish and the crowd are fantastic at many points on the course but there are huge chunks (both sides of the river) that are fairly boring. Perhaps a new route would freshen the thing up a bit.

[Deleted User] · July 2003

there is only one FLM and they cant change it----------full stop-end of

[Deleted User] · July 2003

I believe that there have been many subtle changes to the course over the years. With most people not noticing.

[Deleted User] · July 2003

It was actually in Croydon this year for instance.

cougie · July 2003

Sounds good to me ! If they just head to Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and then take a left along embankment - it'll make for a much better course if y'ask me !

[Deleted User] · July 2003

how about running through the greenwich foot tunnel?

[Deleted User] · July 2003

.................... 46 times!

[Deleted User] · July 2003

just once would be enough, then take the DLR to canary wharf......

bigpony · July 2003

Why do people try to things that aren't broke. It's a great course for the plodders. No hills. Perfect.

For the purists, well the downhill stretch to Woolwich could be flattened out. Perhaps concrete over the cobbles as well. But, just leave it alone.

Iron SwissBobby · July 2003

THERE ARE NO HILLS ON THE FLM COURSE!!!!!

Click here for hills

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Initially it was " I agree with you wanting to take the best marathon in the world and make it even better...But when it comes to messing about with the sacred route I'd 'ave to say OY! Bedford! Noooooooo!"
But then again after some reflection, I have to agree with Cougie, cut out the Isle of Dogs and head around the City instead. Much more interesting.
Cheers!
Malt Loaf

mmmm...marmite · July 2003

I'm totally into the idea of changing the route. I'd be really pleased if we could ditch the whole section from 13-21 miles and instead of Docklands head up past Trafalgar Square through Soho, up to Camden, back through Strand, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Picadilly Circus, Hyde Park etc etc.

fat face · July 2003

I wish they'd just ditch the section from 13-21 miles.

[Deleted User] · July 2003

or give us golf buggies for that bit

[Deleted User] · July 2003

I can't comment as I can't remember a single landmark except for Tower bridge and thats cause I have the photo

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Yes - I agree with Laura. I can't remember any landmarks between Cutty Sark and Buckingham Palace. It does not really matter where we run, as long as they do not add any hills.

cougie · July 2003

Tee hee apb - you must have been in a bad way.

fat face · July 2003

I didn't even see Buck House when I did the London Marathon.

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Once you turn right after Tower Bridge I can't recall any decent landmarks until you go back under Tower Bridge again. I like the idea of running through the City, Trafalgar Square etc but I should imagine closing the roads would present a major problem; but then again it is a special event and they manage it for the 10k.

cougie · July 2003

Canary Wharf is pretty big ???

Er FF - I missed the London Eye and Buck House on the first one. Second one - I was a bit more leisurely and so had time to sight see !!

[Deleted User] · July 2003

to be fair I think one of the reasons the route didn't matter too much to me and I didn't notice any landmarks was I was buzzing off all the crowd support (first FLM) I was taking all that in rather than looking at anything else oh and I think being b****xed after about 19 miles may have contributed towards the end. Might notice more next time though when not so over awed with it all

candy ollier · July 2003

appently you have to shin across the river at cutty sark using some rope bridge arrangement - and i heard that you wouldn't get in at all unless you can demonstrate some rudimentary knot tying skills - sureley this isn't what the marathon is all about?? its shameful - i for one would complain if this plan gained any substance

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Will records stand!

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Running Dan - Records will stand but only if you balance them very, very carefully!

I'm with MM in changing the route from 13 to 21 miles, the greatest marathon in the world could be made even greater by including Trafalgar Square, Soho, Hyde Park etc. - can't see it happening though. Mind you, even if it did I don't know whether many of us runners would give a damn at the time, after 17 or 18 miles I don't care what I'm running past and who the hell is on top of the column!

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Llama i feel silly now-but they still fall over!

[Deleted User] · July 2003

I first ran in 1990 and over the years there have been many changes.
It finished on Westminster Bridge, went down the mall and up birdcage walk the opposite way,the 3 mile part of the route leading up to the Tower hotel was different and the part at half way never used to pass runners in the opposite direction. There has also been slight adjustments around Surrey Queys and arounf Canary Wharf due to building construction etc.
I'm sure if they changed the course it would still be as good if not better. When they first changed the finish I thought "oh know how can they" but I'm pretty pleased that you don't have that climb to the finish line on Westminster bridge and the awful chaos at the finish and the steps don on to the southbank were horrendous.
If it does change I'm sure it will keep the best bits.

[Deleted User] · July 2003

FR did I see you on the BBC web site?

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Did it for the 1st time this year. I thought that the Tower and the other sights from 22 miles would take my mind off the pain. Can't say I noticed any of them. Might as well have been running up Barnsley Canal.

As Laura said, it's the tremendous crowd support makes the difference, not the scenery.

[Deleted User] · July 2003

I can confirm that we have no plans to change the course for 2004

[Deleted User] · July 2003

Did FLm for first time too this year - noticed Tower Bridge - again thanks to photo for reminding me! - Canary Wharf - Big Ben and THE FINISH!!

Oh yeah, my son at mile 18
My husband and brother in law at mile 20
my son again at mile 22
My husband and brother inlaw again at mile 25

How did they get to all those places quicker than a blink of an eye?

[Deleted User] · July 2003

I agree that the section around the Isle of Dogs was a bit dreary, although there was that funny traffic light thingy...

The finish past buckingham palace was brilliant, although I could have sworn that when I ran the last bit there was not another person in sight. When the photos came back, they showed people running all around me, one chap practically breathing down my neck! I think my head was playing tricks on me!

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