Everyone knows the London Marathon and the ridiculousness of the ballot system.  I had a charity place though, I've never got in via the ballot.

First of all is the Expo.  You have to go to collect your number in the few days before the race.  This is ok if you live in London, but for those of us outside of London, we tend to all go in the Saturday so it's really busy.  The expo was harder than the race, pace yourself, dress appropriately, wear comfortable footwear and layers, and keep yourself hydrated.

While we're on the subject of living outside London, hotels are ridiculously expensive that weekend and most will only allow you to book the Saturday and Sunday so save up!

The race start itself was easy to navigate.   The tube is free on race morning for runners so you don't have to faff around, just flash your number.  The baggage drop was easy, large lorries with allocated to your race numbers.

The race itself takes a long time to start, being one of the slowest runners I was near the back.  It took 40 minute to cross the line, but there was plenty of room to run once we got going.  

There was actually plenty of room all the way around, I never felt jostled.  The only overpopulated areas were the loos.  I had to queue for 20 minutes at the four mile toilets.  There were plenty of toilets around the course.  I have a chronic bladder disability so I think I used them all.

I don't think the race is the best ever, or as great as people say it is, but I took a very long to complete it.  I came 38557th.  During the second half much of the crowd had gone  although I saw lots of people I knew on the way around which made all the difference.

Its one to do, just so that you can say you can say you've done it.  I will do it again if I get in through the ballot, but I won't be fundraising again, that's hard work.