14 Goodgymmers joined Trainer Simon for a one-off social hike of the London Marathon route this Sunday (while maintaining social distancing where possible). 8 of our walkers completed the entire distance (and more, due to necessary pedestrian diversions) and became ultra marathoners in the process!

Most of our team started at Gail's Bakery in Blackheath, traversing delayed Sunday trains to get as close to the official race start as possible. As we continued on our route, we met up with Liz just near Charlton Park, who joined us until Cutty Sark (our first refueling stop). Kapil suggested that we have an ice cream stop some time soon (very hot around mid-day), so we enjoyed chocolate magnums and fruit pastille lollies at Potter's Fields, by Tower Bridge (almost our half way point).

We maintained a great pace along the Highway, past St Katherine's Docks and towards Canary Wharf, and we picked up Sally and Caitlin on route, who joined us for the rest of our journey. We zig zagged and looped through the Isle of Dogs and back around Canary Wharf for one last proper break (coffee, water, sandwiches, all the good stuff!) before the final stretch towards Central London.

Back along the Highway and past Tower Bridge one more time, we followed the Thames Riverside Walk to avoid the Blackfriars Bypass Tunnel, and kept on our way to Big Ben in the distance. As the sun went down, we turned the corner past Buckingham Palace, and ran the last section on the Mall, replicating the finishing line and the tunnel of cheering supporters.

Thank you for joining us on this special weekend trip. It was great to see some many new faces getting involved too (Nahrek, Federica, Rana, Caitlin, Anita- welcome!). Watch this space for more walking trips in the near future!