The travel tips and additional services are designed to help people get where they need to be as easily as possible on race day. Runners starting in either Greenwich or Maze Hill will find connecting trains from Cannon Street – but not London Bridge, where trains serve only the Blackheath start line. Direct services to Blackheath also leave from Victoria, Charing Cross, Waterloo East and Lewisham.
Because trains are likely to be busier than normal, Southeastern is recommending passengers allow extra time for their journey, including spectators who are advised to take a later train and avoid the rush. London Bridge is expected to be particularly busy from 08.00 a.m. to 08.30 a.m. when a large number of runners will be changing trains at the station to reach the Blackheath start line on time.
Runners can travel for free on connecting Southeastern trains from any London terminal to any start line station by showing their race number but must buy a valid ticket for the rest of their journey.
Southeastern’s travel tips for the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon on Sunday 23 April, are:
For Greenwich or Maze Hill start lines – change at Cannon Street only
Passengers wanting to get to either the Greenwich or Maze Hill start line must go to Cannon Street station for connecting trains and not London Bridge. Trains to Greenwich and Maze Hill stations do not leave from London Bridge. The only trains to these start lines are from Cannon Street.
For the Blackheath start line – change at London Bridge, Victoria, Charing Cross, Waterloo East or Lewisham
Trains from London Bridge only serve the Blackheath start line. London Bridge is expected to be particularly busy from 08.00 a.m. to 08.30 a.m. when a large number of runners will be changing trains at the station to reach the Blackheath start line on time. Anyone starting in Blackheath can also take a Southeastern train direct from Victoria, Charing Cross, Waterloo East and Lewisham.
Runners travel free from London terminals to start lines – but need a ticket for rest of journey
Passengers changing trains in London to get to their start line can travel for free on connecting Southeastern services from any London terminal to any start line station, just by showing their race number. They must however have a valid ticket to get into, and back home from, London.
Spectators should travel a little later to avoid the race day rush – and need a valid ticket
Anyone not running the Marathon but heading into London to cheer people on should consider taking a later train to avoid busy services and allow more runners to board their train. As always, fans including friends and family should buy a ticket for their full journey before they board.
David Wornham, Passenger Services Director at Southeastern, said: “We’re running an extra 111 trains on race day to help our passengers get where they need to be. Anyone who wants to check which train to catch so they can get to their start line in time, or how to avoid the busiest trains on the day, can ask one of our team or check our website at www.southeasternrailway.co.uk We wish everyone taking part the best of luck and anyone cheering them on a fantastic day.”
