Well, all the preparations have been completed, the barriers have been erected and the day of the race arrives.

From early morning , various supporters begin to stake their claim to a section of the course and wait in anticipation.

It is not often that the Isle of Dogs is the centre of a global event that is shown on television in more that 150 countries around the world.

Marcel Hug pipped GB’s David Weir to win in men’s wheelchair race.

The Elite Women with including winner Edna Kiplagat, Florence Kiplagat second, Tirunesh Dibaba 3rd

Richard Whitehead

Elite Men with Wilson Kipsang who wins men’s London Marathon in new course record of 2:04.27.

Stanley Biwott, who finished second, while Tsegaye Kebede , last year’s winner, who comes out on top to cross the line third.

Lots of support for Olympic Champion Mo Farah who finished eighth in his first Marathon

Once the elite races are finished the streets are taken over by the vast amount of the runners who have their own challenges.

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 there is even greater interest with Britain’s Mo Farah making his marathon debut and one of the greatest runners of all time Haile Gebrselassie  acting as pacemaker.

Also running will be the world record holder Wilson Kipsang, the reigning London Marathon champion Tsegaye Kebede, the world and Olympic marathon champion Stephen Kiprotich,  Priscah Jeptoo, the reigning women’s champion is back  and  David Weir  Britain’s greatest ever wheelchair racers, is going for a record seventh win.

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 .

Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre

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.

Island Gardens

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.

Mudchute Farm

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 .

Kaskelot in South Dock

A short run down along Marsh Wall to South Quay DLR, (if you go into the South Dock you will find the tall ship Kaskelot) 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

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 n 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 8.55am

The elite women’s field: 9.15am

Elite men and mass start: 10am

At Mile 17 (Mudchute )

Approximate times when pass Mudchute

Wheelchairs 9:53 (men), 10:06 (women);

Elite women from 10:45

Elite men from 11:21

The masses  from 12:16.