Flora London Marathon hotels
Address: 10 Theed Street, London SE1 8ST, United Kingdom
Date: April 13, 2008
Hours: 6:30am
Tickets: Free
WWW: http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/
Phone: +44 20 79020200
About the Flora London Marathon
Olympic Champion Chris Brasher’s vision of a marathon in London where all people “black, white and yellow” come together to “laugh, cheer and suffer” for the name of charity. His dream became a reality on March 29, 1981 as the Flora London Marathon (FLM) and has been going strong ever since.
Today the London Marathon attracts nearly 100,000 entrees and accepts about half. Although the marathon is a great challenge and a prideful thing for those that enter, it is also extremely enthusiastic about providing for charities the world over. Runners are encouraged to fundraise for a charity of their choice. Many charity organizers even set up entrants to raise money for their own cause. The FLM organization itself also picks official charities to contribute too, with 2008’s chosen charities being H-E-A-R-T UK and the Spinal Injuries Association.
In the days leading up to the race, there is also a Marathon Expo which is held annually at London’s Docklands. The Expo is free of charge, open for four full days and attracts nearly 70,000 visitors. Participants can register, pick up their chip and number or get the latest in race gear. Visitors can meet motivational sports stars, shop Adidas’ Superstore for souvenir items, join the runners at the Pasta Party and watch presentations and entertainment on the Adidas stage. This year the Expo is open on Wednesday from 11:00am – 8:00pm; Thursday and Friday from 10:00am – 8:00pm and Saturday 9:00am – 5:00pm. Spectators are also encouraged to seek out the Pubs and Course Entertainment that has been planned out for them along the marathon route.
Anyone looking to participate should look at all that is available to them. There is the feel good aspect of knowing you are running for a cause as well as your own health. The FLM also provides interactive training guides and a FLM 2008 Personal Trainer so that all contestants are ready and able to cross that finish line. There is also a FLM Injury Clinic that is there for those with injury and those who simply want advice on how to avoid injury during the race.
Running the FLM is also a great way to see London. Beginning at Blackheath and ending at the Mall, the rest of the 26.2 miles is filled with infamous London landmarks like Cutty Sark, London Eye, Tower of London, Parliament, Cleopatra’s Needle, Tate Modern, the Thames, National Maritime Museum, Canary Wharf, Big Ben, Tower Bridge, London Bridge and HMS Belfast.
In order to take part, contestants can fill out entry forms online, by way of the postal service or by fax as their first step. Overseas entries are also more than welcome and must fill out a special online form or call the FLM telephone to register. Registration is fee but all are absolutely encouraged to run for a charity of their choice or for one of FLM’s official charities.
Getting to Flora London Marathon
The starting line’s tube is in Zone 3 in Blackheath Village. For further information, the Transport for London government website provides useful tips on how to get to any site along the FLM path. FLM participants and spectators can buy the recommended 1 to 3 day tickets package that will endure the length of their stay for the race.
Flora London Marathon Hotels
Here is a short guide to Flora London Marathon hotel accommodation.
All of London’s Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts are offering two packages that align with the FLM.
Option A is a premium package that includes a nutritional pre-race breakfast, coach transfer, complementary physio and a soothing post race massage. This package requires a minimum two nights’ stay and is available at Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Holiday Inn Kings Cross/Bloomsbury, Holiday Inn Mayfair and Holiday Inn Regents Park. Prices ranges from 120 – 165EUR depending upon the location.
Option B also requires a minimum two nights’ stay and provides a nutritional pre-race breakfast and coach transfer. These are available at Holiday Inn Bexley, Holiday Inn Brent Cross, Chessington, Heathrow Ariel, Holiday Inn Heathrow M4 J4, Kensington Forum, Oxford Circus, Sutton and Shepperton as well as Crowne Plaza Docklands, Heathrow, The City and Shoreditch. Prices for Option B range from 61 – 165EUR depending on the location.
We had previously stated that City Inn Westminster was offering a marathon package but this is no longer available.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org
About London, England | What is on, London hotels
This short break guide about London, England will help you to make the most of your trip. Lists of what’s on in London and recommended hotels will save you time when planning your city break.
About London, England
London is the largest and most populated urban site in England and the United Kingdom, holding nearly 8 million people in Greater London, which does not even begin to cover the additional 6 million in the suburban areas surrounding the city. Greater London retains the same boundaries that were set for it when it was founded during ancient Roman times. Since then, the city has seen its citizens through much development such as the English Renaissance, Industrial Revolution and Gothic Revival periods. These magnificent eras have landed London among other great cities of the world as a financial and cultural hub, with its influences spreading far and wide among politics, religion, education, entertainment, fashion and media.
London also boasts many fantastic attractions. Its Heathrow Airport transports more passengers than any other airport in the world. It also brags of its three World Heritage Sites: the Palace of Westminster, Tower of London and the historic Greenwich area. London is also immersed deeply in the fashion, music, theater and literary scenes, as greats like Shakespeare, The Beatles, Sex Pistols, The Clash and Vivienne Westwood respectively all hail from its cobble stoned streets.
What is on in London in 2008
Our mini-guide to what’s on in London lists the top events in 2008 in a handy London Calendar format. If you take your short break in London, England when these events are taking place, add them to your list of things to do in London.
January
Twelfth Night Celebration - A free festival, dedicated to literature and theater, features untamed rhyme backed up by untamed actions through music, storytelling, dance and other pagan activities. The Twelfth Night Celebration is held at no better place than Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.
February
Cirque du Soleil - Each February the exotic Cirque du Soleil troupe converges on London to present all with their newest shows at Royal Albert Hall. The magic and mystery of the most unique circus on earth runs for nearly a full month annually between January and February and costs anywhere from 15-58EUR. Hours vary depending on the day.
March
Twentieth Century Fashion Auction - Christie’s South Kensington presents a wide variety of 20th century fashion designs at the annual March auction. Vintage pieces from designers like Hermes, Balmain, Pucci and Ossie Clark come from all decades of the century and feature many vintage as well as couture pieces. These types of events are what regard London as one of the most eclectic fashion capitols of the world. The auction begins at 2:00pm during the first week of March.
April
London Burlesque Festival - Try something new and hit the London Burlesque Festival. Thrown by patron Chaz Royal, this promises to be a titillating time with sultry songs, stripteases and burlesque pageants at several venues around the city including Madame Jojo’s, Soho Revue Bar, and Bush Hall. The Burlesque Fest runs the first week each April and prices vary according to event and venue.
May
Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award- From May through October each year, the Natural History Museum and BBC Wildlife magazine present the Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award. This Award is reserved for those photogs that have gone through hell and high water to capture some of most fantastic and fascinating wildlife photos of the year. The winners and runners up are exhibited at the museum. The displays hours run from Monday - Saturday 10:00am - 5:50pm and Sunday from 11:00am - 5:50pm. The cost to the museum is free and the exhibit is 7EUR for adults, 3EUR for children and concessions and 12EUR for a family pack.
June
Graduate Fashion Week - Annually, the graduates of fashion schools around Britain flock to Graduate Fashion Week to show the world what they got. Stella McCartney, Antonio Berard and Julien MacDonald all kick started their skyrocketing careers here. Runway shows are set up at Battersea Park Arena from Sunday - Tuesday 11:00am - 7:30am and Wednesday 11:00am - 6:30pm. Costs are 5 - 25EUR.
July
Sprite Urban Games - Every June and July Clapham Common fills with the likes of skateboarders, BMX bikers, breakdancers, top DJ’s and enthusiasts for the Urban Games, the highest level of international and British skating and BMXing. Combine these daredevils with DJ’s, dancers, open bars, food and shopping and you’ve got one of the biggest summer parties in London! The Games hours and costs are: Friday 2:00am - 8:00pm, 10EUR; Saturday and Sunday 10:00am - 8:00pm, 30EUR; concessions 20EUR.
August
Carnaval del Pueblo - Europe’s biggest celebration of Latin culture amasses in London’s Burgess Park each August. The Carnaval features processions, exotic floats, music, dancers and elaborate costume. Mix the spicy Latin cultures of Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela with London’s cheeky attitude and you’ve got one sizzling salsa fest. The cost for all of this Latin flavor? Free! Hours vary to event.
September
Regent Street Festival - For one small period of time each year, London’s entire Regent Street shuts down for the Regent Street Festival. The fest abounds with music and theater on every street corner and venue on Regent. Even eateries join in the fun, offering festive special menus, discounts and demonstrations for the day. The festival and its events run from 12:00pm - 8:00pm and are free, aside from what you buy of course.
October
RHS London Autumn Show - The annual Royal Horticultural Halls (RHS) annual London Autumn Show, which is held at the Society’s own halls, features all of the fruit, vegetables, plants, flowers and botanical art and photography a plant lover could ever hope for. Specialists discuss techniques and expend free advice while showing many diverse and unique plants that they have grown over the years. The show runs each October on Tuesday from 11:00am - 7:00pm and Wednesday from 10:00am - 5:00pm.
November
Fireworks Displays - London is known for its ability to draw upwards of a million to its dazzling fireworks displays and November’s displays are plentiful to say the least! A free show goes off at Blackheath at 7:30pm. The display at Alexandra Palace is free but comes with suggested donations of 2EUR for future firework displays and hours of 4:30 - 11:00pm for festivities including a Kiddie Palace and Beer Festival. The fireworks show starts at 7:30pm. And last but far from least is the Battersea Park Fireworks Display, which draws crowds of half a million every year. The cost for this magnificent and famed display is 5EUR and 1EUR for 10 and unders. The gates of the park open at 6:00pm for a bonfire, with the display beginning at 8:00pm.
December
Pig’s Ear Beer & Cider Festival - Each December the Pig’s Ear Beer & Cider Festival kicks off. Oddly enough it is a music free event so that participants can concentrate solely on the beer drinking at hand at the Ocean in Hackney. Over 100 beers, pale ales, traditional ales, porters, ciders and perries are yours for the tasting, thanks to the Campaign for Real Ale Association. The hours are Tuesday - Thursday from 12:00pm - 10:30pm, Friday 11:00am - 11:00pm and Saturday 11:00am - 10:00pm. The cost is 3EUR.
Recommended London Hotels
Hotel review website TripAdvisor allows travelers to thoroughly assess London hotels that they have visited. The unbiased evaluations really help to find the best hotels and avoid the worst. The top 10 London hotels recommended by review are:
1. The Soho Hotel
2. Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel
3. Parkcity
4. Hotel 41
5. Apex City of London Hotel
6. London Bridge Hotel
7. The Sumner Hotel
8. Luna & Simone Hotel
9. Milestone Hotel
10. Renaissance Chancery Court London