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LONDON - Are you among the 750,000 expected spectators cheering on a family member or friend at this month’s London Marathon? Whilst The London Underground, Overground, buses and DLR have confirmed that they will be offering free travel home to marathon runners up to 6.30 pm on the day, Brompton Bicycles has thought of a rather clever idea.
The 2024 London Marathon is just under a week away taking place on Sunday 21st April.
Perhaps you’re contemplating how to get around London during the marathon, especially considering last year’s London Marathon hosted 58,015 runners, with 90-year-old David Picksley being the oldest participant.
Brompton is offering spectators, whose friends or family members are running, free bike hire so you can catch the action from every point of the city.
What this means is that we can keep up with the marathon and follow the runners, our loved ones, across the 26.2-mile course.
Julian Scriven is the Managing Director of Brompton Bike Hire. He explains the motivation for putting the cogs in motion for this initiative: “As a London-born and bred brand, we celebrate everything that the London Marathon is about. Every year, thousands of people – both locals and visitors alike – come out to support and celebrate those taking part. What better way to enhance the supporting experience than by giving spectators a hand to see as much of the race as possible, ticking off some of our city’s best sights along the way," he says.
And Julian makes a great point. We can enjoy as much of the marathon mania as possible, whilst taking in the sights of this glorious city, without spending a penny on a Brompton. Beware, though. Talking from experience, once you ride a Brompton you’ll be on the train home plotting how and when a Brompton can become part of the family. And how to convince your sweaty loved one that a Brompton is an intelligent investment.
What route will the 2024 London Marathon take?
If you’ve attended any of the London Marathons since 1981 then you’ll be pleased the route remains broadly the same.
Runners will head out of Greenwich Park, visit and circle through Greenwich, onto Rotherhithe and onwards to Tower Bridge. Tower Bridge signals the halfway point and at mile 13, you’ll be right in the thick of the hype.
Next up, and perhaps a quieter alternative to spectate, is the Isle of Dogs. Canary Wharf then gets a waft, yes waft, of the action, and then it’ll be back to Shadwell.
Now, by this point, your loved ones will be feeling it. Put down your flat white, hide your chunky cookie and pull out your fog horn (not included on a Brompton), give them a hoot, or just shout with all you’ve got. But whatever the case, this last leg of the Marathon takes in the best sights of the city.
Runners will head down the Thames, Embankment, through Westminster and onto Birdcage Walk. They'll tip their running caps at Buckingham Palace with a final showcase showdown on The Mall.
How to get free Brompton Bicycle Hire During the London Marathon
Brompton assembled a list of the closest Brompton hire stations on the London Marathon route below:
Pick up at East India Station and head to:
- Greenwich
- Woolwich
- Rotherhithe
- Bermondsey
- Limehouse
- Millwall
- Blackwall
Pick up at Broadgate and head to:
- Tower Bridge
- Blackfriars
- Shadwell
- Limehouse
- Millwall
- Blackwall
Pick up at Regents Place and head to:
- London Bridge
- Victoria Embankment
- St James’ Park
- The Mall
To set the wheels in motion email the bib number of your loved one to brompton@wearetheromans.com.
They’ll send you a code that will unlock complimentary Brompton bike hire for the full marathon day.
If you fancy a ride on a Brompton beyond the marathon you can rent one for £5 per day. They also do a month rolling contract or you lock in for 12 months.
They're available in Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and of course London. Brompton have over 70 lockers (and more on the way) in train stations, near public buildings and places of work. Check out the details at Brompton Hire.
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