sdr
I ran the London Marathon last year. It was a thoroughly rewarding – if incredibly gruelling and painful – experience, and the feeling of elation and feverish relief I got when crossing that finishing line was unlike anything I’ve ever felt before or since. Around mile 20, you really start to flag – but the one thing that kept me going to the end was seeing the occasional group of friends and family dotted around the course. It’s a fun day out for a punter: inspiring and interesting in equal measure, with the comfort that once you’ve seen a bit of it you can just head to the nearest pub. So, as Marathon weekend once again rears its sweaty little head, where are the best places to watch the action?
The Greyhound, Woolwich
A pleasingly cuboid estate pub, The Greyhound is one of the first places to watch the action. Woolwich has a lot of genuinely very good boozers in, but none quite have the views of this spartan post-war groghole. Once the action’s gone past, head into Woolwich centre for a delicious Vietnamese bánh mì at Viet Baguette.
The Cutty Sark, Greenwich
Built in 1869 as a tea clipper – although soon used for transporting wool from Australia – the Cutty Sark was, by 1954, transferred to the dry dock at Greenwich and put on display. It’s a genuinely impressive sight, and one of the iconic markers of the Marathon route. Try and get a seat at The Gipsy Moth, or take a stroll up to Greenwich Park for some spectacular views of the city.
King’s Stairs Gardens
Logistics-wise, the area around King’s Stairs Gardens in Bermondsey is ideal: you’re not far from Rotherhithe or Bermondsey stations for a quick escape to a different part of the route, plus you’re seconds away from The Angel, a deliciously convivial riverside boozer that – provided the weather is decent come Sunday – makes for the perfect place to nurse a pint and thank God your feet aren’t currently covered in blood blisters.
sdr
Swedenborg Gardens
Indulge your inner Iain Sinclair – and watch the London Marathon. Not too far from Whitechapel and Shadwell Overground stations, Swedenborg Gardens are named after Emanuel Swedenborg, the Swedish Christian scientist and philosopher who lived near here in the 1700s. The gardens back onto The Highway – the stretch of course where runners go both ways – which means you have the joy of watching both the super fast athletes and the doughy Online Editors go past each other at the same time.
Ropemakers Fields
With the nearest station Westferry on the DLR, the big crowds tend to avoid this area. But it’s a pleasant part of the course, all narrow streets and post-modern housing blocks. Plus, there’s Ian McKellen’s pub The Grapes nearby, which is always good for a pint or two.
Canary Wharf
I lost the plot a bit during the Canary Wharf portion of the London Marathon. The pain had just started to kick in, and it felt like I was in some kind of never-ending Blade Runner night terror – endless twists and turns around monotonous glass and steel monoliths, with no sign of the end in sight. So, from a runner’s perspective: get down to the home of bankers and naff experiential cocktail bars. Lord knows the racers will need the support.
Limehouse
At Limehouse lies Rainbow Row, a mad DJ and drag extravaganza created by G-A-Y and Heaven owner Jeremy Joseph. It’s a real carnival of colour there, with performances throughout the day. Plus, there’s some good boozing options nearby too – The Crown, The Old Ship, and the Queen’s Head are all nearby.
Victoria Embankment Gardens
Here you get the bonus of being able to watch your runner, then gently stroll over to the finish line, and by the time you get there they (should) be done. Good transport connections, good lunch spots, good vibes.
