VOLUNTEER

BRIEFING
- COURSE
 EVENT FORMAT
SUNDAY 07TH SEPTEMBER 2025

Elites
Starts by Tower Bridge and finishes beside the Cutty Sark, passing
Sam Harrison
through
Sir Mo Farah
Sunday 3 September
the four London boroughs of Southwark, Lewisham,
Steph TwellTower Hamlets and
J ak e Smith
Greenwich along the way. Sold out, expectingCalli
~17,500
Thackery
runners registering
Ellis Cross
The Big Half
• 08:25 wheelchair athletes Eden Rainbow Cooper David Weir
Samantha Kinghorn Danny Sidbury
• 08:30 elites & champs
• 08:30 mass Watc h LIVE on BB C iPlayer &

The Big Half route split into four legs of 5k each. Sold out, expecting 250
Red Button, or Facebook live stream from
08:10 to 10:30
The Big Relay teams of 4 (1,000x runners)
• 09:20 within mass
• 4 legs of c.5k each What to wear
The Big Mile • LME Black T-Shirt
• 14:30 mass • LME Navy Hooded
Lightweight Jacket
Wrap-up Finishes at The Big Half Finish line, starting on Creek Road. New start
• NB Black Trousers,
• location for 2024 Shorts
15:00 Finish Line closes with improved
OR Leggingsatmosphere. Aimed at families and first
• 16:00 roads reopen time runners, expecting 2,000 participants
• NB Trainers
THE EVENTS
The numbers Elites

Sunday 7 September 21K 3.5K 4.4K

The Big Half Resident Community
entries entries entries
The Big Half
• 08:25 wheelchair athletes
• 08:30 elites & champs
450 145 2.4k
Charity New Balance Big Big Mile
• 08:30 mass entries Relay Teams entries

The Big Relay

• 09:20 within mass
• 4 legs of c.5k each
Helping the planet!
The Big Mile
• 14:30 mass
4391 1714
Trees Fewer
Wrap-up planted medals

• 15:00 Finish Line closes

• 16:00 roads reopen Wooden Big Mile Medal
Increase in e-vehicles
ROUTENEW
WHAT’S TIMINGS
EVENT DAY TIMINGS
06:00 First road closures in (route)
06:13 Sunrise
08:00 Route ready for participants
08:25 Elite Wheelchair start
08:30 Elites start followed by mass
09:13 approx. time of first wheelchair
finisher
09:30 approx. time of first finisher
14:15 Last participant over the finish line
14:30 Big Mile start
15:00 Finish line shut
16:00 All road closures lifted
 OPERATIONAL UPDATES
General Route Updates Drink Stations
• 4x Buxton Water
Elite Field
• Relay Changeover 3x Locations • 3x Water Refill
• Big Mile start location Stations • No Elite Drink Stations

• Saturday shift for Sector Deputies • 1x Lucozade and Ice

Activation
BOTP
• Bands & DJ's
Accessibility
• Performers - Dancers • 3-4-hour Support
Squad • Disability Support
• New Balance Big Relay – Uplift
• Tail Walkers Hub – Halfway (after the
• Cheer Zones – Schools, Charity and Community cobbles!)
Groups
ROUTE MAP
WHAT’S NEW
 Roles and Responsibilities
In your Sector…
• Read Volunteer Handbook & Course Marshal Briefing

• Understand chain of command – check in/out with ECR Orientated in position:

• Check infrastructure in correct position (barriers/cones) •First Aid Treatment Centres

• Understand volunteer positions and manage workforce – Route Marshals,
Shower Monitors, Drink Station Teams •Toilets

• Ensure volunteers, staff, contractors, drink stations remain in place until Back of •Vehicle Crossing Points
the Pack has passed

• Understand and (if necessary) support with implementation of contingency •Pedestrian Crossing Points
plans

• Enjoy the event!

•Drink Stations

• Written feedback report within 2 weeks •Public Transport Stations

•Nearest Mile and KM Markers

•Key Timings – first / last runner

Pedestrian Crossing Points

• Minimum of two team members per crossing throughout the day

• Use barrier/ hazard tape to reinforce (affixed to lamppost, barrier or bollard either side to create a gate/
entrance)

1. Use judgement to decide when to open and close

2. Pick a landmark (direction runners will come from) and regularly check how quickly a runner reaches you
3. Take a note of how long it takes to cross the road
4. Is there enough time for someone to cross the road once a runner reaches your fixed point? If so, use this
as a marker to close the crossing when runners reach this point.
5. If your landmark doesn’t give enough time for pedestrians to cross safely, chose a new one further away
6. Appoint one person from your crossing to decide when the crossing opens and closes. They must stand
on the side of the crossing with the best view of approaching runners. This person can change but there
must only be one person at a time in charge.
Pedestrian Crossing Points…

Do’s and Don’ts

•The lead must call and act clearly and decisively – volunteers must follow their direction and work as a team

•Participants should be directed to managed crossings and not allowed to cross at the most convenient place for them.

•Only let pedestrians cross when it is safe to do so

•Spectators should always be advised to wait for a gap in runners before attempting to cross the route

•Please don’t tell pedestrians to run or duck under the tape to cross.

•Allow more time for children, older people, the less able and those with dogs.

•If your crossing is busy, organise pedestrians to cross on the right-hand side of both side of the crossing to avoid clashes of
pedestrians in the middle

•If the crossing doesn’t have a good line of sight of approaching vehicles/ wheelchairs/ runners, one volunteer should act as
a spotter to stand at an appropriate point to warn you when something is approaching to close the crossing.

Remember, runners have priority

 Box Crossings

• Island created on wide section of road

• Allow people to cross throughout event in busy
areas
• Set up once roads closed
• Check entry/ exit points accessible
• Pause crossings whilst elites pass
• Volunteer roles:
• Man entry/ exit points
• Move runners to one side
Vehicle Crossing Points

• Allow vehicles to cross route during closures

• Operate after peak of runners

• TM Stewards manage vehicles

• Course Marshals manage runners and
pedestrians

• Runners on one side of road

• Vehicles in space on other
• Switch runners to opposite side
• Vehicle crosses road
Drink Stations & Showers
Drink Stations
• Buxton Water station locations – Miles 3, 6, 9.5 and 11
• Lucozade Sport station – Mile 8.5
• Ice Station – Mile 8.5 with the Lucozade Sport Station (Hot Weather only)
• New Drink Station Managers this year: introduce yourself, support with contingencies should they be required
• Local Authority litter pickers at all locations to prevent build-up of waste
• 3x Water Refill Stations – Miles 4.5, 7.5 & 12

Race Pause/ Stop Process

• Drink stations with readymade water supply
• Drink Stations will have a Manager – they will be responsible for relaying critical information from ECR and the
overall set-up of the station.

Showers
• Number of temporary showers on route based on forecast temperature for mass runners – Min. Of 3x
• Sector Manager/ Volunteer Team Leader to allocate two shower monitors to each location (from volunteer
group if spare).
• Shower monitors to turn showers on (after Elites) intermittently check the shower throughout the day and turn
of the showers (after the final participant).
Workforce Essentials
Check-in, Travel and Welfare

Check-in
• Please login to your Rosterfy portal here to view your shift information, timings and Meeting Point.
• You will check-in at your Meeting Point which is given to you as a What3Words location.
• You will receive an email from us with a QR code for you to use at Check-in. Please show this on arrival
to the staff member at your Meeting Point.

Travel
• Plan your travel in advance , please check if there is any disruption to your planned journey and route.
• There are planned strikes for Sunday 7th September which may affect your journey. More details can
be found on TFL website.

Welfare
• Every volunteer will receive a lunch & a cool bag.
• Please bring refreshments/snacks if you feel you will need them during your shift.
Uniform

Kit
• Every volunteer will receive a navy New balance London Marathon Events Jacket and black volunteer t -shirt.
• If you volunteered with us in 2024, please bring your uniform back for the event this year.
• Please wear either jacket or t-shirt as outer layer at all times.
• Drinks Station teams will receive a Buxton Water or Lucozade Sport T-shirt instead of a black T-shirt, which
should be worn as an outer layer, and a cap.
• You can keep those items after the event
• We recommend black leggings or trousers and comfortable shoes (e.g. trainers )
• Please dress appropriately for the weather (e.g Cap, sunglasses, Suncream)
 Course Teams Meeting Points

Event Role Start time End time Demand Vol Team Meeting Point

Big Relay Changeover 1 (Canary Big Relay Changeover Point 1

7:00 14:00 20 Individuals
Wharf) ///economies.scare.funds
Big Relay Changeover 2 (Tower Big Relay Changeover Point 2
7:00 14:00 20 Individuals
Hill) ///party.plot.units
Big Relay Changeover 3 (Surrey Big Relay Changeover Point 3
7:00 14:00 20 Individuals
Quays) ///gangs.fancy.runs
Course Teams Meeting Points

Event Role Start time End time Demand Vol Team Meeting Point
Start North Info Point
Course Marshal 1.4 07:00:00 14:00:00 35 Individuals
///feel.remedy.venue
London Drinks Station 1 (Mile 3)
Course Marshal 1.6 07:00:00 14:00:00 27
Frontrunners ///buddy.hits.necks
Ravens School Drinks Station 2 (Mile 6)
Course Marshal 1.7 07:00:00 14:00:00 18
Runners ///bride.friend.pulled
Start South Info Point
Course Marshal 2.1 07:00:00 14:00:00 42 Bromley Vets
///wool.ramp.statue
Course Marshal 2.1 - Box Start South Info Point
07:00:00 14:00:00 10 TBC
Crossing Team ///wool.ramp.statue
Innovation Drinks Station 5 (Mile 11)
Course Marshal 2.2 07:00:00 14:00:00 16
Multisport ///mice.wink.grape
Drinks Station 5 (Mile 11)
Course Marshal 2.4 07:00:00 14:00:00 33 Individuals
///mice.wink.grape
London Youth Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
Course Marshal 3.1 07:00:00 16:00:00 21
Games ///toxic.late.washed
 Course Teams Meeting Points

Event Role Start time End time Demand Vol Team Meeting Point
Drinks Station 1 Mile 3 07:00:00 14:00:00 39 Individuals Drinks Station 1 (Mile 3) ///buddy.hits.necks
Drinks Station 2 Mile 6 - Team 2 07:00:00 14:00:00 13 Individuals Drinks Station 2 (Mile 6) ///bride.friend.pulled
Tower Hamlets
Drinks Station 2 Mile 6 - Team 1 07:00:00 14:00:00 20 Drinks Station 2 (Mile 6) ///bride.friend.pulled
Mayor Team
Drinks Station 3 Mile 8 - Team 3 07:00:00 14:00:00 13 Individuals Drinks Station 3 (Mile 8) ///chops.vent.mess
Crystal Palace
Drinks Station 3 Mile 8 - Team 1 07:00:00 14:00:00 10 Drinks Station 3 (Mile 8) ///chops.vent.mess
Fun Runners
The Merona
Drinks Station 3 Mile 8 - Team 2 07:00:00 14:00:00 10 Drinks Station 3 (Mile 8) ///chops.vent.mess
Foundation
Drinks Station 4 Mile 9 07:00:00 14:00:00 39 Individuals Drinks Station 4 (Mile 9) //////valve.united.takes
Drinks Station 5 Mile 11 - Team Maidstone
07:00:00 14:00:00 25 Drinks Station 5 (Mile 11) ///mice.wink.grape
1 Harriers
Drinks Station 5 Mile 11 - Team
07:00:00 14:00:00 7 Individuals Drinks Station 5 (Mile 11) ///mice.wink.grape
2
What 3 Words
What3words app can be used to establish your exact location. Especially when
road junctions or other descriptions are too vague to establish your exact location.
How to view your location’s three-word address:

1. Open the what3words app and click on the search bar

2. Type in the three words you have been given for your meeting point, each
separated with a full stop
3. Click on the correct result
4. View your location on the map
5. Click “Navigate” and select your preferred travel planning tool to work out your
journey to the event

Find a three-word address:

1. Open the what3words app and tap the ‘Locate Me’ icon to find your current location
or tap the search bar, enter a street address or place name, then select the correct
result
2. Zoom in, switch to satellite mode and drag the map to find the exact location you
want
3. Tap the square you need to see its three-word address displayed at the top of the
screen

App download link: Download the free what3words app | what3words

Website link: https://what3words.com/
Things to remember...
• Please bring a refillable water bottle with you.

• Be professional! While working, no selfies with runners/celebs, be always aware TV and other
cameras are close by and act accordingly.

• Check your shift role, start time and Meeting Point in Rosterfy

• Know where you need to be and at what time

• Your QR code (sent via email before the event)

• Check travel and weather

• Download What3Words app

• Read the handbook! This contains contact numbers and Avenza app information.
 Security Messaging
London Marathon Events (LME) provide iconic sporting events and as such can be targeted by terrorists and protestors to
further their cause.
You are part of the LME Team and working with our emergency service partners we must do all we can to keep our
participants and the general public safe.
Your vigilance and swift actions if you have concerns are essential.

See - Be vigilant at all times, if something doesn’t look

right it probably isn’t.

Check - If you see something which concerns

you... check, it may just be someone who is lost

Notify – If you are still concerned notify someone

(last slide tells you how to….)
Security Messaging – Protest
If you notice a potential protestor or a protest takes place you must:

• Remember peaceful protest is normally legal

• Calmly speak to the protestors and ask them not to interfere with the event
and report it
• If they interfere with the event for example by:
• Coming on to the route
• Sitting on the route
• Fixing themselves to street furniture
• Throwing powder etc
• Ask them to stop and move away from the event
• Report it immediately (last slide tells you how to...)
• Follow the instructions from the Event Control Room
• As much as possible keep participants and the public clear of the area
• Await support from your Supervisor / Police
Security Messaging

Unattended Items – there are often unattended items

in public spaces. HOT provides a process to consider if
they could be suspicious……

Hidden – Is the package hidden from view, if so it

makes it more suspicious.
Obvious – Does it have batteries / wires or putty like
substances. If so it makes it more suspicious.
Typical – Is it something that you would expect to find
in the location. If not it makes it more suspicious.

Consider the HOT principles and if you are still

concerned report it as a suspicious item.
Security Messaging

Terrorist attacks are rare. In the event

there is a terrorist attack near you
advise the public to runaway.
Run – to a place of safety
Hide - If you cannot run away you
should hide, turn you phone to
vibrate and barricade yourself in a
safe place
Tell – call the Police on 999
Security Messaging

If someone has been contaminated

with a hazardous substance:
Remove – the affected person from
the area of the substance
Remove – any outer clothing
Remove – any remaining substance
from your skin by paper towel or water
Safeguarding
Unaccompanied child:
• Stay calm, reassure them help is on the way
• Ask for a description or details of their parent or guardian. Check for info on the back of their bib number
and try to make contact
• Stay with them but avoid being alone; ask another team member to join you while you help to locate
their guardian
• Contact the Safeguardina Lead (Ben Cooper) or your Sector Manager to get instruction.

Injured child:
• Escort them to the nearest medical point
• Notify your Sector Manager immediately and follow their advice or 999 if serious

Parent whose child is lost:

• Stay calm, ask for a description and details of the child
• Notify your Sector Manager immediately and follow
their advice
Reporting an Incident:
Medical, Safeguarding or Security

• Please find someone with a radio which allows them to contact with the Event Control Room (ECR) contact
them directly.
• If it is urgent and you don’t have a radio ring 999 then inform the ECR urgent
phone line on 020 3054 3001.
• If its not urgent contact the ECR on 020 3054 3045.
What do we need to know….

• A good description of the incident or issue

• A good description of your location, including what 3 words. (download it now!)
• What support is required
 THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS?