Due to take place on Sunday, 26th April, the 2020 London Marathon will be one of the highlights of the capital’s sporting calendar. Since it was first run in 1981, the London Marathon has gone on to establish itself as among the leading long-distance races anywhere in the world. Part of the World Marathon Majors, the London race in 2020 will be sponsored by Virgin Money.
The race attracts all the premier long-distance runners from around the world as well as some of the finest wheelchair athletes who compete at this distance. In addition, the London Marathon is well-known as a mass participation event. In 2019, there were in the region of 415,000 applicants for the race, something that is unprecedented in the UK.
The 2020 London Marathon will feature over 40,000 runners. The 40th time that race will be run through the capital city’s streets will also see around 1,500 volunteers on hand to help keep the athletes going.
The medical staff alone includes 150 doctors. As such, the London Marathon is one of the best-attended sporting events in the UK both in terms of participants and the crowds which line the route.
Given that London is such a busy city to fly in and out of at most times of the year, anyone planning flights into the capital during the race weekend should make as many arrangements as possible in advance.
Since this is not always feasible, especially at the last moment, the specialist flight planning available from Flightworx can be indispensable. So what should you have at the forefront of your mind?
Using an Aviation Operations Consultancy for London’s Major Airports
Even at Stansted Airport (EGSS/STN), where there is a bit more capacity than the capital’s two other big international airports, an in-depth knowledge of local operations will make all the difference to your flight planning.
This is where Flightworx can really help, whether it is in terms of aircraft parking, sourcing a ground handling agent or carrying out a flight plan security assessment. Of course, such a big airport is not your only option.
Although smaller, Farnborough Airport (EGLF/FAB) is in Hampshire but it affords easy access to central London via the M3 motorway. It is open from 08:00 to 20:00 on weekends and has a number of different maintenance providers. Another good option for the race is London Biggin Hill Airport (EGKB/BQH).
Located to the south east of central London, it is ideally positioned for the marathon’s start at Blackheath, just over 10 miles away. Remember that onward travel can be arranged for you by our sister company, Travelworx.
Make Use of London’s Other Airports
Looking for another airport option for the race? At Flightworx, we’d point out that London Southend Airport (EGMC/SEN) is a good place for general aviation as well as the many commercial passenger flights it caters for over the course of an average weekend.
It takes just over an hour to reach the section of the marathon course that passes through docklands in East London from there. Oxford Airport (EGTK/OXF) may be a little further away but it is a good option for onward travel to West London, where the marathon finishes each year.
