Final Instructions Please read these instructions very carefully. ASK THE CHATBOT! In the following pages you will find all the The Virgin Money London information you need to have an enjoyable Race Marathon ChatBot is now live. Day on Sunday 22 April. We will do our utmost to Using AI technology, the Bot look after you all the way through the 26.2 miles will be able to answer your of the 2018 Virgin Money London Marathon. All you questions about this year’s race need to do is follow the simple guidelines here… and give advice to runners and spectators ahead of the 38th London Marathon. Scan the image on the left using the camera within Facebook Messenger to get started. Just line up the image and tap and hold the middle of the screen. CONTENTS Before Race Day The Start Areas Registering for the race and collecting What to expect when you arrive 04 your running number 15 at your Start Area Visiting the Virgin Money London The course Marathon Expo Everything you need to know 06 Everything you need to know 17 about the course to plan your visit The Finish On Race Day Howtofindyourfriendsafter Essential advice to ensure you 20 you’ve made it to the Finish 09 have an amazing race Medical Advice General Travel Information Please read our medical advice Useful travel advice for runners 22 carefully before Race Day 10 and spectators Thanks to our Partners & Sponsors Getting to the Start Areas A big thank you to the Virgin Money London Your transport options for getting 39 Marathon Sponsors and Partners 11 to the Start Areas 04 Before Race Day FINAL INSTRUCTIONS Before Race Day Your main aim between now and Race Day on Sunday 22 April is to plan your weekend and collect your running number from the Virgin Money London Marathon Expo. The following pages will explain how to do this Collecting your YOUR RUNNING NUMBER running number Takecareofyourrunningnumberandfill in the medical information on the reverse You were emailed your registration side of the number. form, which shows your running number, together with these instructions. PLEASE Do not tamper with your number in PRINT OUT THIS EMAIL – you will need any way – please note that duplicate it to collect your running number and numbers cannot be issued under kitbag when you register at the Expo at any circumstances. ExCeL in east London. You must bring photographic identificationwithyouto collect your running number. Please The acceptance slip sent to remember you in December is not valid. to bring a On your registration form, form of ID youwillfindaCharitySurvey questionnaire. Please complete this before you arrive at Registration. While preferring you to register in person, we recognise that in some cases this may be impossible. You can nominate someone to collect your running number for you. The person you nominate must have the following: a letter, written and signed by you, authorising that person – by name – to collect your number. You must also PROVIDE THEM WITH A CLEAR PHOTOCOPY OF YOUR DRIVING LICENCE OR PASSPORT SHOWING YOUR NAME AND YOUR SIGNATURE. The person collecting your running number should also have suitable photoidentification(suchaspassport or driving licence) with them. Failure to comply with these instructions may lead to your running number not being issued. Please note, an individual can only pick up one running number in addition to their own. Before Race Day 05 What should Youmustbefitandwelltorun I do if I am ill a marathon. Severe exertion FINAL INSTRUCTIONS or injured? during or soon after any kind of fever is extremely dangerous. See the medical advice starting on page 22 for more details on Before Race Day health and distance running. Do not take any chances with your health: if you findyourselfinthissituationyoumust (continued) withdraw–evenifthisisthefirsttimeyou have been accepted for the Virgin Money London Marathon after years of trying. Ifyouneedtowithdrawfromthe2018 WHERE DO I REGISTER? OVERSEAS RUNNERS Virgin Money London Marathon, we will You must register and collect your running There are special desks for overseas guaranteeyouanentryforthe2019Virgin number before Race Day (Sunday22April). runners at Registration, which will be Money London Marathon, providing that clearly signposted. you follow these simple instructions: go Registration is at the Virgin Money to virginmoneylondonmarathonballot. London Marathon Expo, which is held at HOW TO GET TO EXCEL LONDON com/withdraw and complete the online ExCeL London. The address is: ExCeL London is connected to the Jubilee withdrawal form no later than Saturday line at Canning Town via a three-minute 21Aprilat20:00.Youwillthenbesenta EXCEL LONDON DLR(DocklandsLightRailway)journeyto confirmationemailoutliningtheprocess 1 WESTERN GATEWAY ExCeL’s dedicated station Prince Regent. required to apply for a guaranteed place ROYAL VICTORIA DOCK PrinceRegentDLRstationisadjacentto in2019. LONDON E16 1XL the ExCeL London eastern entrance. Please note that entry fees are not You can register and collect your running You are advised to avoid Custom House refundable under any circumstances number at the Virgin Money London station,whichisadjacenttoExCeL’swestern as stated in the terms and conditions. Marathon Expo at the following times: entrance. Please note that Custom House However, we do offer this option to apply stationwillbeclosedonSaturday21April. for a guaranteed entry for the following Wednesday 18 April 11:00-20:00 year to everyone who got their place Thursday 19 April 10:00-20:00 ExCeL is also connected directly to the through the ballot, but then has to Friday 20 April 10:00-20:00 Central, Northern, Circle, District and withdraw. This means it is not necessary Saturday 21 April 09:00-17:00 Waterloo & City lines at Bank and the Circle to go through the ballot process again. and District lines at Tower Hill via the DLR. Please note that it is only possible to ExCeL is in London Underground Zone 3. withdraw and apply for a guaranteed Please ensure you allow place once. If you take up a guaranteed yourself enough time to get We strongly advise that you purchase placefor2019andthenwithdrawagain, to Registration before 17:00 on a return ticket or Travelcard or use an you will not be eligible for a guaranteed the final day, as it will close Oyster or contactless payment card as placein2020. promptly at 17:00. No race ticket purchasing facilities are limited packs will be issued after 17:00 at ExCeL. All valid London Underground You are eligible to apply for a guaranteed and you will not be able to tickets are accepted on the DLR. entryfor2019unlessyouhavealready take part. carriedyourentryoverfromthe2017race Please try to register on Wednesday or or if the entry was received from a charity Thursday if you live in or around London. or sponsor. You must meet the deadlines You will be asked to provide photographic This will allow Friday and Saturday for outlined in the process below and pay ID such as a driving licence or passport. runnersfromfurtherafield. theentryfeeforthe2019VirginMoney With your number and kitbag you will also London Marathon. begivenasetoffinalinstructions.Please After registering, take some time to look read them carefully. round the Virgin Money London Marathon Runners who withdraw will receive an Expo – the biggest of its kind in the UK. email link for a guaranteed place for the 2019racebyMonday4June2018.Ifyou YOUR KITBAG have not heard from us by Tuesday 5 At Registration you will be given an June2018pleasetelephoneourHelpdesk envelope containing your running on02079020200onTuesday5June number and an adhesive numbered and certainly no later than Wednesday sticker. You will also be given a drawstring 20June2018.Failuretodosowillresult Race Day kitbag. The sticker must be in loss of entry. The closing date for fixedtothefrontofthekitbagonthearea completion of the online guaranteed indicated; you will use this kitbag for your entryformis17:00onFriday22June2018. belongings on Race Day. 06 Visiting the Expo FINAL INSTRUCTIONS Visiting the Virgin Money Sports London Massage Marathon Expo THE EXPO The Centre Stage will also host a range You don’t have to be an elite or of guest appearances and Q&As with the Olympicathletetobenefitfroma world’s most inspiring runners, including sports massage. criminalcourtjudgeCraigMitchell,who started a running club on LA’s notorious A sports massage is designed to Skid Row and trained a group of addicts stimulate circulation of blood and and criminals to run marathons around lymphfluidstothepartsofthebody theworld,fightinghomelessnessand that are involved in the activity you addiction as they did so. are planning – in this case, running a marathon. Entrytothe2018VirginMoneyLondon See page seven for more Centre Stage Marathon Expo is FREE, so bring your details and for the full show schedule, Anotherbenefitofgoodmassage family and friends – and tell all your visit virginmoneylondonmarathon. is the release of muscle tension running companions to come along, com/centre-stage as well as restoration of the even if they are not taking part. musculoskeletal balance, which PLANNING YOUR VISIT will not only help your performance Leading athletic brands are present, The Virgin Money London Marathon Expo on Race Day but will help avoid as are a multitude of other exhibitors is held at ExCeL London, the biggest and injuriescausedbyanyimbalances. showing and selling everything from best venue in the country, with easy run boosting food to the latest wearable access from ExCeL’s dedicated DLR As you ease off the training in the technology devices. One of the biggest station, Prince Regent. week preceding the race, a session on stands is devoted to the Virgin Money the table would be a great addition London Marathon Superstore with this TheExpoattracts80,000visitorsevery to your preparation. Not only will year’s range of New Balance souvenir year.Withmorethan15,000visitors your muscles respond better after and technical clothing. eachweekdayandmorethan25,000 treatment but a little pampering will on Saturday, you may want to consider also relax you before Race Day and International races, charities, running visiting in the week to avoid Saturday’s calm any nerves you may have.