Doing the Marathon

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Speed racers: Marthon runners raise money for charity

Worth a look: The Maritime Museum

Sturdy: Tower Bridge

Design for life: Design Museum

Tall: One Canada Square

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• London Swimathon
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FLORA LONDON MARATHON
Starts: Greenwich Park, 9.30am
Ends: The Mall
April 13
www.london-marathon.co.uk

The final preparations are under way for the 2008 London Marathon and you don't have to be taking part in the run to get in on the action. There is plenty of room for spectators to cheer the 30,000 runners on and give them the extra encouragement to make it to the finishing line. Who knows? You may be able to catch a glimpse of a celebrity or politician raising money for their favourite charity. Past runners range from Gordon Ramsay to Alastair Campbell.

The 26.2 mile jog stretches across the capital's historical points so you could make time for some sightseeing. Here's a breakdown of some stop-off spots that are worth visiting:

Woolwich Royal Artillery Barracks
The runners pass the Barracks, known as the home' of the Royal Artillery, on the third mile. The building is famous for having the longest continuous facade in Britain as well as the largest parade square of any UK barracks. It is one of three 2012 Olympic Games venues in Greenwich.

National Maritime museum
On the left of the runners' 6 mile mark is Inigo Jones' Queen's House built for James I's Anne of Denmark in 1616. On their right is Christopher Wren's architectural creation, the
Royal Naval Hospital. They also pass the prime meridian in front of the National Maritime
Museum, which will be the start line of the 2007 Tour de France on 8 July. Definitely worth a look.
Open daily, 10am-5pm, admission free, www.nmm.ac.uk

The Mayflower Pub
The route passes within 250 metres of the Mayflower Pub after 10.5 miles – tempting. It was here that the Pilgrim Fathers assembled to set sail for America. However, money ran out and the ship was moved to Plymouth to avoid mooring dues.
www.themayflowerpub.co.uk

Tower Bridge
The runners approach Tower Bridge on the twelfth mile. The Bridge was built in 1894. All the original machinery for raising and lowering the drawbridge is still in place and it has never failed to raise the 1,000 ton bascules. The Design Museum is also in this area; covering product, industrial, graphic, fashion and architectural design.
Open daily, 10am-5.45pm, £8.50 adults/ £5 students/ free for under 12s, www.designmuseum.org

Britain's tallest building
On mile 19 the runners pass the base of Britain's tallest building (the second tallest in Europe): the 800ft tower, One Canada Square, at the centre of Canary Wharf, one of the largest single
business developments in the world. The tower is flanked by the HSBC and Citigroup towers as well as the Barclays headquarters building.
www.1canadasquare.co.uk

Cleopatra's Needle
Cleopatra's Needle marks mile 24. It is one of a pair that originally stood at Heliopolis in Egypt. Its twin stands in Central Park, New York, just a few feet away from the New York Marathon course. Neither of them has any connection with Cleopatra.

End of the line
St James's Park, Parliament Square and Big Ben, and a sign that the race is almost over. Now there is a mile to go as runners turn right into Great George Street and Birdcage Walk. They reach the finish in London's great ceremonial avenue, The Mall, in front of Buckingham Palace. Be aware though that this is the busiest section of the race so things are likely to get quite crammed.

Getting there:
• Tube at the 11/12, 13 and 22, 14 to 21 and 22 to 24 mile points(www.tfl.gov.uk)
• DLR - with trains running every 2½ minutes
• Bus and River bus
• Walking or cycling

 

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