Countdown
The local organising committee today confirmed the routes for the marathon and race walks taking place at the IAAF World Championships London 2017.
The routes, which are the final part of the competition timetable and venue plan to be announced, will offer both fans and athletes a stunning sporting spectacle.
Set against some of the capital’s most historically significant and picturesque backdrops, the 26.2-mile marathon route will start and finish at Tower Bridge in central London. With the backdrop of the start of the races provided by the historic Tower of London, the route will comprise four laps of a 10km course on closed roads, heading west along Victoria Embankment towards the Houses of Parliament, then back alongside the River Thames to St Paul’s Cathedral, and returning to the Tower of London.
The course was designed in conjunction with the IAAF and Transport For London. With both marathons being held on Sunday 6 August, next summer will be the first time ever that an IAAF World Championships stages two marathons back-to-back on the same day.
The men’s marathon will set off at 10:55, while the women’s marathon will begin at 14:00. Medallists from both of the races will receive their medals in front of the Tower of London where a medal stage and supporter zone will be created to make the most of the day’s atmosphere.
One week later, on Sunday 13 August, the unique ‘Festival of Race Walks’ will be staged at The Mall, St James Park with the kind permission of The Royal Parks on a two-kilometre loop between Buckingham Palace and Admiralty Arch. The 20km races will see athletes perform 10 laps of the course, while the 50km race – which is for both men and women – will be 25 laps of the circuit.
The race walk medals will also be presented on The Mall, providing a beautiful backdrop for the ceremonies.
Both courses have been designed with athletes and spectators at the heart of the events, with ample opportunity for fans to watch the competitors on multiple occasions, and access the different vantage points with ease.
“The local organising team in London are making excellent progress and it has been great to see the final piece of the 2017 competition puzzle come together,” said IAAF President Sebastian Coe. “I have every confidence that the IAAF World Championships London 2017 will be an incredible event.
“The marathon is set to be an unbelievable spectacle within the city,” he added. “The course is utterly unique and will provide an atmosphere second to none. Similarly with the race walking loop on The Mall offering multiple opportunities to watch the athletes, the final Sunday of the championships is also going to offer a very special spectator experience in central London.”
LOC for the IAAF
