2018 Virgin Money London Marathon Runner s Guide

Transcription

1 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon Runner s Guide You re only a few weeks away from crossing the start line in the biggest one day fundraising event, and just 26.2 miles away from becoming a London Marathon finisher! We re so grateful that you went on this journey for Brain Research UK. Thank you. This document, along with the Final Instructions PDF from the London Marathon, contains important information about making your London Marathon a smooth, stress free and unforgettable experience. The Expo registering for the marathon It is essential that you visit the Expo at Excel on one of the dates below to register and pick up your race number, timing chip and kit bag or you will not be permitted to run on race day. You must do this before 5pm on Saturday 21 April. There is nothing we can do once the Expo has closed. As well as registration, this is also a fun event with exhibitions from various sports brands and running experts. If you do not register you will not be able to run! Dates & times: Wednesday 18 April 11:00-20:00 Thursday 19 April 10:00-20:00 Friday 20 April 10:00-20:00 Saturday 21 April 09:00-17:00 Location: ExCel London, 1 Western Gateway, Royal Victoria Dock, London E16 1XL For more information, please visit Registration: You should bring the registration form ed by the marathon organisers, and a form of photographic ID (passport/driving licence). Let us know if you have lost your registration form , or have not received one. If there is an emergency and you cannot attend, somebody else can pick up your race pack. They must have photo ID themselves, a copy of your photo ID, your signed registration form and a signed letter from you which authorises them to register on your behalf. When to go: If you live locally we suggest you register on Wednesday or Thursday to reduce queuing on Friday and Saturday for runners who will come from further afield. Important: after 5pm on Saturday the Expo will be closed and if you haven t registered you will not be allowed to run.

2 Kit bag: This is given to you at registration together with a race number to stick to the front. On race day, you can use these bags to store your belongings. The bags are put on the kit lorry in Greenwich and will meet you at the finish line. You could also ask friends and family to look after your belongings - this may save queuing for your kit bag at the end. Vest printing: You can have your name printed on your vest at the Expo. This is very popular and there may be waits of 1-2 hours. You might like to do this first when you arrive at the Expo, and register and explore the exhibitions while you wait. It might also be easier to find a local printer that can do this for you, but we really recommend it as it helps spectators to cheer you on when they can see your name! Make sure you leave room for your running number so place the name on the front and/or back of your vest near the top. You could also write it yourself in permanent waterproof marker. The final week Diet: Experts often recommend carb-loading to store glycogen in your body to optimise your performance. However, this only works effectively when done properly. Make sure you follow a plan from a nutrition expert. Kit: You should wash and prepare everything you need well before the race. You should have trainers and clothing that you ve trained in and know are comfortable; don t wear anything new. Training: In the final week, training should be very light - just enough to keep your body flexible, while conserving your energy for race day. You should have already done your last long run. Plan ahead: Make sure your kit is packed the day before and you know where you need to be on race day and how to get there. Read the final instructions that you will receive- they are full of useful information. Ask us if there is anything you are unsure about. Pre-race reception Date: Friday 20 April, 4-7pm Location: Runway East Moorgate, Lower Ground Floor, 10 Finsbury Square, London, EC2A 1AF Closest public transport: Moorgate, Old Street and Liverpool Street stations are all about a 5 minute walk away Our Team #BrainResearch pre-race reception is an opportunity for you to hear from Tim Rogers, CEO of The Realbuzz group, and multi-london Marathon runner, to help you prepare for race day. It s also an opportunity for you to meet some of your team members, as well as some of the scientists whose research into neurological conditions you help fund through your sponsorship and fundraising. They d like to thank you for your amazing support, and tell you more about the work they re doing. Staff from Brain Research UK will be there, and we very much look forward to meeting you. Light nibbles and refreshments will be available for you and your guests. Please jennifer.clay@brainresearchuk.org.uk to let us know you ll be attending no later than Thursday 12 April.

3 Race day preparation Breakfast: Make sure you eat breakfast on marathon day - you ll appreciate the fuel later on! It should be something that you know has worked for you in training; Race Day is not a good time to experiment! Be organised: Leave plenty of time to get to your start point and make sure you have a plan to meet people after the race. It will be extremely busy by the marathon route and phone coverage is often poor so to have the most relaxed day, it s better to have everything organised in advance. What to bring: Running shoes, timing chip, race number, running vest, tracksuit, plasters, Vaseline/chaffing gel, safety pins, race map and instructions to get to the post-race event. Cheer points We know that miles 15 to 18 can be really tough for runners, and the point at which some runners hit the infamous wall so you may want to ask your family and friends to cheer you on around this point. Additionally we would welcome all your supporters at our two cheer points, by Tower Hill and Westminster: Tower Hill cheer point We will be positioned along The Highway, near the end of Cannon Street Road, opposite the BP connect garage Runners will be passing by at approximately 13.5 miles, and then coming back to pass this point again at 22 miles The nearest tube stations are Tower Hill and Shadwell. Westminster cheer point We will be positioned on the steps of RICS at Parliament Square (12 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AD) Runners will be passing this point on the home stretch, at approximately 25.5 miles The nearest tube stations are Westminster and St James Park. Further details and maps of the cheer points can be found in our Spectator s Guide. At both our cheer points, look out for our big banners, balloons and white t-shirts!

4 The finish Photographs: Your picture will be taken as you cross the finish line so make sure look up and smile to ensure you get that important triumphant photo! Kit bag: Your running chip will be collected by race officials and you can then collect your kit bag from the numbered trucks. You will need your running number to claim your bag so don t discard it. Meeting friends and family: There are meeting points located on Horse Guards Road that are divided into alphabetical sections to make it easier to meet your friends and family using the first letter of your name. These will be very busy so we advise that you only use them if you really must. We recommend meeting your guests at the post-race reception or another point further away from the finish. Mobile service can be bad at the finish so don t rely on your phone to find people. Make sure you have a plan in place at the start of the day. Social Media On race morning, text, and WhatsApp the link to your fundraising page to everyone in your contacts, and then again when you ve crossed the finish line, with a #medalselfie photo. You can use sites like Hootsuite and Sprout Social to schedule tweets throughout the day, so that your social media followers still see you posting without you having to do a thing. Remember to use the hashtags #LondonMarathon #VMLM2018 and of and #BrainResearch. Charity Contact If you need to contact the charity on the day, please call Jen Clay on Post-race reception We can t wait to congratulate you and look forward to seeing you and your guests at our post-race reception. Location: RICS at Parliament Square, 12 Great George Street, London SW1P 3AD Time: 1pm-7pm Entry: There will be security on the door to prevent members of the public from entering, so please give your name to enter; only those who have RSVP s and who are on the attendee list will be let in. The celebration: You can celebrate with fellow Brain Research UK team members, enjoy a hot meal and refreshments, have a massage and get your photo taken with your medal. We are delighted to provide free entry for you and one guest, along with any children under the age of 15. This entry includes a hot meal and refreshments, and a massage for runners. Beyond this, tickets for any additional guests cost 10. Please jennifer.clay@brainresearchuk.org.uk to let us know if you ll be attending no later than Thursday 12 April.

5 Illness or injury Charity place runners: Please do let us know if you are ill or injured, or if you are unable to start for any reason. It s better to accept that you are unable to run than push yourself when you are unwell and put yourself in danger. Please be sensible. Own place runners: If you know you will not be able to run, you need to fill in the online withdrawal form no later than 20:00 on Saturday 21 April You will be allowed to enter in 2019 providing you pay the appropriate entry fees, unless your 2018 entry was already carried over from In June you will receive an Ill or Injured Entry Form which must be returned to secure your place. More information about all of the above can be found in the Final Instruction PDF, and at And finally, Brain Research UK wishes you all the very best for the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon. Good luck! We hope you have an amazing marathon experience and thank you for helping accelerate the progress of brain research to change the lives of all those affected.