Marathon Weekend Disruptions

London is heading into Marathon weekend with Tube and rail closures still in force on Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26, as nearly 60,000 runners and large spectator crowds move across the city. (timeout.com) Time Out reported that strike disruption on the Underground is ending before the weekend, but planned service alterations and closures remain across Tube and train routes on both days. Transport for London said its major works calendar is updated regularly and told passengers affected by works or events to leave extra time. (timeout.com) (tfl.gov.uk) The marathon itself starts early on Sunday, April 26: elite wheelchair races begin at 8:50 a.m. British Summer Time, the elite women start at 9:05 a.m., and the elite men and mass field follow at 9:35 a.m. Radio Times said the event will bring “just shy of 60,000 runners” onto the course. (radiotimes.com) BBC coverage starts before the first gun, which means transport delays will hit spectators as well as runners’ families trying to reach viewing points. London Marathon Events said live elite-race coverage begins at 8:30 a.m. on BBC One, moves to BBC Two at 2 p.m., and BBC iPlayer adds Tower Bridge coverage from 10:30 a.m. and the finish line from 12:30 p.m. (londonmarathonevents.co.uk) That timing puts the biggest travel pressure on east and central London in the morning, when crowds are moving toward the Greenwich and Blackheath start areas and later toward Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and The Mall. Visit London said the 26.2-mile course starts in Blackheath and finishes on The Mall near Buckingham Palace. (visitlondon.com) (tcslondonmarathon.com) Transport for London’s advice for major works is broad rather than marathon-specific: check planned closures, use journey planners, and leave extra time if your route is affected. TfL also said weekend travelers should aim for quieter periods before noon and after 6 p.m. when possible. (tfl.gov.uk) For anyone traveling on Sunday, the practical issue is not just whether the race is on but whether the usual route is open when the first starts go off at 8:50 a.m. With service changes already scheduled across the network, late departures and last-minute rerouting are more likely than on a normal weekend. (radiotimes.com) (timeout.com) By Sunday morning, the marathon will still be the main event in London, but getting to it will depend on planning around closures that begin before the first runners reach the start line. (timeout.com) (londonmarathonevents.co.uk)