ASICS London 10k: Everything you need to know for race day

General entry places have sold out but there is still plenty of fun to be had supporting the runners.

Here is a guide on what to expect.

What time does the race start?

The race officially gets underway at 9.30am, with one mass start. Runners have been allocated a pen letter based on their predicted finish time. Runners are encouraged to start heading to the start pen around 30 minutes before their scheduled start time.

Where is the start line?

The ASICS London 10k starts next to 101 Piccadilly (W1J 7JT).

How do I get to the start line?

Organisers are encouraging people to use public transport where possible, with the start line well served by nearby tube and mainline stations.

Head for any of the following – but do not arrive via Green Park, Piccadilly, or Leicester Square underground stations:

*Victoria mainline or underground (Victoria Line; District and Circle Lines).

*St James’s Park underground (District and Circle Lines).

*Westminster underground (Jubilee Line; District and Circle Lines).

*Charing Cross mainline or underground (Northern Line; Bakerloo Line).

*Embankment underground (Bakerloo Line; Northern Line; District and Circle Lines).

Local bus services operating in central London may be subject to diversions from 4.30am because of road closures. Runners can check www.tfl.gov.uk in the days leading up to the event for more details.

There will be signs up showing people the best way to get to the start line from nearby national rail and underground stations, with volunteers on hand to point runners in the right direction.

Will there be a bag drop at the event?

Yes, however there will be limited spaces. Runners are encouraged to come race ready and to head straight to the start line. Anyone who does need to bring a bag can use the bag drop on Waterloo Place, visiting the bay which corresponds with their race number.

How do I get my race pack?

There are two ways to get your race pack if you are taking part. You can either have purchased race pack delivery when you registered for the event, in which case you’ll receive it in the post before the big day, or you will need to pick it up from the ASICS Oxford Street store (W1C 2QL) up until Saturday July 8 (10am until 7pm daily).

If you were expecting your race number to arrive in the post but haven’t received it, you can collect a new number at the ASICS store.

If in doubt, email the organisers at: hello@thelondon10k.com.

What is the ASICS London 10k route like?

Iconic. The ASICS London 10k starts off in Piccadilly and ends on Whitehall, passing an array of world-famous landmarks along the way, including The London Eye, Big Ben, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, Westminster Bridge, and Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. You’ll struggle to find a more iconic city centre 10k in the world.

Are there toilets?

There will be toilet facilities positioned inside the bag drop area at Waterloo Place, as well as at the entrance to the start area at the bottom of St James’s Street. Runners not using the bag drop on race morning are asked to use the toilets at the start area on St James’s Street. There will also be toilets on the course between kilometres six and seven, and again just before kilometre nine.

Will there be aid stations on the course?

Yes, there will be two aid stations on the route, between kilometres six and seven, and just before kilometre nine.

Runners can also take on water at stations between kilometres six and seven, and just before kilometre nine.

How do aid stations work?

Volunteers will stack cups of water on each table first thing in the morning, and then will hand these out to runners as they run by.

Volunteers are briefed to fill cups 2/3 full to minimise spillage/waste and runners should aim for tables towards the end of the aid station rather than stop at the first table they come to.

Runners should grab the cup and squeeze into a spout. Don’t gulp water – take your time

Runners are advised to put their cup into one of the designated cup bins once finished with. This is really important as it allows organisers to send the cups to a specialist recycling facility where they are shredded, before being sent to a paper mill to be recycled into tissue.

Refill volunteers will be happy to refill runners’ cup for them, likewise if they are carrying their own bottle/hydration backpack, volunteers can fill these up too.

Can runners wear headphones?

Organisers suggest running without them so participants can listen out for any instructions from the route marshals and not miss out on the amazing atmosphere.

Will there be on-course entertainment?

Plenty. The ASICS London 10k is renowned for its fantastic race-day atmosphere generated by the thousands of supporters lining the streets and the entertainment points dotted along the route.

This year will be no different, with live bands, DJs, and performers positioned throughout the course at 10 different entertainment points, as follows:

*Entertainment point one: Hosen Brass Band.

*Entertainment point two: London School of Samba.

*Entertainment point three: DJ Chrystilize.

*Entertainment point four: LA Mixtrax.

*Entertainment point five: DrumWorks.

*Entertainment point six: West End Musical Choir.

*Entertainment point seven: DJ G.

*Entertainment point eight: DJ Truck.

*Entertainment point nine: Tamashii Taiko Drummers.

*Entertainment point ten: DJ Truck.

Runners will also pass through the ASICS Blast Zone, with music pumping and crowds cheering runners on as they power past Westminster Abbey and Big Ben and enter the final kilometre.

Is there a cut-off time?

Yes, but don’t worry if you don’t think you’ll make it. The cut-off time is one hour and 45 minutes for each runner. After that runners won’t be stopped, but stewards will ask them to move to the pavement so streets can reopen. Your medal will still be waiting for you at the finish line.

Are there pacers running?

Yes, lots. The quickest pacers will aim for 40 minutes, with others spaced out every five minutes until the final two who will be both be run/walking in a time of one hour 40 minutes.

Where are the best places for spectators?

There are plenty of fantastic places along the route, and this year organisers LimeLight Sports will also have two fan hubs people can move between to see the runner they’re cheering on multiple times.

Fan hub one is on Charles I roundabout, just south of Trafalgar Square. The first runner is due past by 9.42am and the last by around 11.12am. There will also be the ASICS Dome.

Fan hub two is a 250-metre walk away at Victoria Embankment. It takes about four minutes to reach from fan hub one, down Northumberland Avenue. The first runner will pass by at 9.51am and the last at 11.43am.

From there supporters can head back onto Northumberland Avenue, before taking the first left onto Whitehall Place, then left again onto Whitehall where they’ll find the finish line. It is about 500-metres from fan hub two and should take about six minutes to walk. The first finisher should cross the line at about 10am and the last runner at around 12.15pm.

Missed out on a place this year?

Don’t worry. Places for the 2024 race will go on sale soon, so keep an eye on the organiser’s website at: https://limelightsports.club/events.

If you can’t wait for 2024, there is always the London Duathlon – a run, bike, run challenge in Richmond Park on 3 September – or the Challenge London, the world’s largest city centre triathlon, which takes place on 6 August.

Places are still available for both events via the LimeLight Sports Club website.