London 2012 Paralympic Marathon Route Announced

The London 2012 Paralympic Marathon will start and finish in The Mall covering a route that will take in a number of London’s key landmarks and give spectators a superb chance of seeing the race, it has been confirmed

Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch, Birdcage Walk, St Paul’s Cathedral, Tower Hill and the Houses of Parliament are just some of the sights athletes will pass during the Marathon in a ‘loop’ circuit that will ensure spectators get to see the race on several occasions.

The original plan was for the Marathon to start at Tower Bridge and follow a route east / north east of Tower Hill before ending in the Paralympic Stadium.

However, this was discounted as it would have meant the closure of Tower Bridge and a number of important artery roads. In addition Tower Bridge had insufficient space for operational facilities and broadcasting positions and spectators would have missed the all important last mile of the race due to the infrastructure and secure areas behind the Paralympic Stadium.

The date of the Paralympic Marathon will be confirmed when the sports schedule is published and will take place on a day when many other medal events are taking place in the Paralympic Park and elsewhere in London.