London Marathon on Isle of Dogs Map

It is safe to say that although Canary Wharf is often in the news, the rest of the Isle of Dogs is seldom the focus of national and international interest. However this always changes on the day of the London Marathon when the normally quiet streets are filled by thousands of runners and thousands of spectators.

This year fields are considered the strongest to contest the race. In the women’s race, Edna Kiplagat ,a double world champion sprinted to victory on The Mall last year, beating Florence Kiplagat. The two Kiplagats will meet again in April when they face Mary Keitany, who won the London Marathon in 2011 and 2012.
British interest will be centred on world record holder and three-time London champion Paula Radcliffe who will use the race to say farewell to marathon running.

Whilst in the Men’s race, former world-record holder Wilson Kipsang will defend his London Marathon title  against fellow Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, the man who made history last year when he broke Kipsang’s record to become the first man ever to run 26.2 miles in less than two hours three minutes in last year’s Berlin Marathon. Kipsang will be attempting London Marathon history by becoming only the fourth man in the event’s 35-year history to claim a hat-trick of London titles.
The Kenyan pair are just two of the great runners in a men’s elite field which include the legendary Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele, the triple Olympic track gold medallist, and multiple world-record breaker.

Due to the fact that many people may be unfamiliar with the Isle of Dogs I thought I would do a mini guide to the Isle of Dogs.

The race enters the Island at Mile 15 when it comes onto Westferry Road , this is a long road down the side of the west side of the Island. Lots of shops and a few pubs here and most of the spectators will be locals.

Just before Mile 16 you will pass the Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre  which leads into the Millwall Docks and  is often filled with small yachts overlooked by the old cranes standing next to the dock.

The sweep around the bottom of the Island takes you near Island Gardens which has wonderful views of Greenwich and the river. Here is also the entrance and exit of the Greenwich foot tunnel.

Going up the East Ferry Road to  mile 17 you will see the greenery of Millwall Park on the right and the Mudchute DLR on the left.

Just past Mudchute you will see the entrance to Mudchute Farm and Park ,one of the  biggest inner city farms in Europe.

A little further on you have Asda on the right and Crossharbour DLR on the left, then the route takes you further up to Limeharbour adjacent to Millwall Dock  and then onto Marsh Wall.

A short run down along Marsh Wall to South Quay DLR, is followed by a run past the International Hotel to mile 18, there is a quick switchback into the Canary Wharf estate for Mile 19.

Canary Wharf has become a popular watching base for many spectators due to its proximity to the transport system and the over 200 shop, bars  and restaurants.

The race then goes out to Poplar to begin the long stretch home.

Some of the benefits of watching the Marathon on the Isle of Dogs is that you can actually watch in comfort rather than being part of the massive crowds in Greenwich and Tower Bridge. You also have easy access to the Transport system and access to many pubs and bars, restaurants.

To make sure you are in the right place at the right time here is rough time guide .

Start time

The wheelchair race starts at 09.00am

The elite women’s field: 9.20am

Elite men and mass start: 10.10am

At Mile 15 (Westferry)

Wheelchair men 09:51  Wheelchair women 10:00

Elite women 10:28 Elite men 10:40

Mass begins   11:21

At Mile 17 (Mudchute )

Approximate times when pass Mudchute

Wheelchairs 9:58 (men), 10:08 (women);

Elite women from 10:50

Elite men from 11:31

The masses  from 12:26.