Samaritans emotional support hubs
The London Marathon is considered to be one of the most supportive races in the world. From cheering fans to reassuring runners, the atmosphere is amazing but not everyone may be in high spirits. No matter what you’re feeling on the big day, Samaritans has made sure that we’re available all day to provide spectators with emotional support along the marathon route. We will also be available after the race to support runners if they would like to stop by for a chat.
At any of our 15 designated emotional support hubs, you’ll find a warm welcome from trained Samaritans volunteers who will be there to support you throughout the 2024 TCS London Marathon.
In addition to emotional support hubs, we will also have Samaritans tail walkers at the back of the pack to help set the pace and make sure that Samaritans are with runners every step of the way.
If you need support on marathon day, we’re here to listen.
How the hubs work
Samaritans volunteers will be located at each emotional support hub to provide you with a non-judgemental, face-to-face listening service throughout the TCS London Marathon.
You can discuss anything that’s getting you down, no matter how big or small the issue may seem. Your conversation will be completely confidential. Our volunteers are trained to listen and provide you with emotional support for as long as you need it.
If you feel you need to talk something through, in complete confidence, please come by and see us during the marathon.
Samaritans has 15 designated emotional support hubs located along the TCS London Marathon route. You can find them on our marathon route map or check out our full list of locations and operating hours below.
Locations
Mile marker 6 - Trafalgar Road
Location: Trafalgar Road
Address: Trafalgar Rd, London SE10 9NB - by Park Row Car Park
What3Words: ///gates.starts.model
Operating hours: 08:30 to 13:30
Mile marker 7 - Creek Road (junction Creekside)
Location: Creek Road (junction Creekside)
Address: Creek Rd, London SE8 3BT - at the junction with Creekside
What3Words: ///cages.drank.gasp
Operating hours: 08:30 to 13:30
Mile marker 9 - Surrey Quays Road
Location: Surrey Quays Road
Address: 1 Surrey Quays Rd, London SE16 2XU
What3Words: ///teeth.allow.begun
Operating hours: 08:45 to 14:15
Mile marker 11 - Brunel Road
Location: Brunel Road
Address: Brunel Road, London SE16 7JA - right outside Rotherhithe Station
What3Words: ///proper.ruled.alien
Operating hours: 08:30 to 15.30
Mile marker 13 – The Highway (south side)
Location: The Highway (south side)
Address: Virginia Street, London E1W 2BQ
What3Words: ///plank.also.method
Operating hours: 09:00 to 15.30
Mile marker 14 – The Highway (south side)
Location: The Highway (south side)
Address: The Highway, London E1W 3WD
What3Words: ///retire.smiles.pulse
Operating hours: 09:00 to 16.00
Mile marker 15 – Westferry Circus
Location: Westferry Circus
Address: Westferry Rd, London E14 8JT
What3Words: ///scar.latter.search
Operating hours: 09:00 to 16.00
Mile marker 17 – East FerryRoad
Location: East Ferry Road
Address: 164 E Ferry Rd, London E14 3BT
What3Words: ///mugs.season.crowned
Operating hours: 09:00 to 17.00
Mile marker 18 -Marsh Wall
Location: Marsh Wall
Address: Marsh Wall, London E14 9SJ - infront of Mill Harbour Floating Gardens
What3Words: ///harp.took.down
Operating hours: 09:00 to 17.00
Mile marker 19 - North Colonnade
Location: North Colonnade
Address: 390 Cabot Square, E14 5AB
What3Words: ///issues.rests.sticky
Operating hours: 09:00 to 17.30
Mile marker 21 - St James's Gardens
Location: St James's Gardens
Address: St James Gardens, 2 Butcher Row, London E14 8DS
What3Words: ///scam.dragon.bills
Operating hours: 09:00 to 18.00
Mile marker 22 – The Highway (north side)
Location: The Highway (north side)
Address: The Highway, at the junction with Cannon Street Road
What3Words: ///seat.dangerously.figure
Operating hours: 09:00 to 18.00
Mile marker 23 – Lower Thames Street
Location: Lower Thames Street
Address: Lower Thames St, London EC3R 5BJ - outside the Hung, Drawn and Quartered Pub
What3Words: ///glove.privately.frosted
Operating hours: 09:00 to 18.00
Mile marker 24 - Blackfriars Underpass
Location: Blackfriars Underpass
Address: Blackfriar Underpass, A3211, London EC4V 3AL
What3Words: ///sushi.robot.table
Operating hours: 09:30 to 18.30
Mile marker 25 - Victoria Embankment
Location: Victoria Embankment
Address: Northumberland Ave, London WC2N 5AQ
What3Words: ///homes.friday.lodge
Operating hours: 09:30 to 18.30
I’m really pleased to be staffing one of the support hubs. It’s great that Samaritans have been chosen as the Charity of the Year for the London Marathon this year and that we get the opportunity to make more people aware of the service we provide. I think it’s important that Samaritans are visible as well as quietly doing what we do out of the public eye. At a time when there is so much uncertainty people need to know that at the end of a phone or email there is someone who will listen and not judge, and they can speak frankly about their anxieties and know that the conversation is confidential to Samaritans.
Lesley, Samaritans volunteer