A new exit has been added to Blackheath Station ahead of the London Marathon this weekend.

The London Marathon is set to take palace this weekend on Sunday (April 21) with thousands of people set to flock to the capital for the big sporting event.

Blackheath Station in Lewisham serves as the starting point for Marathon runners as they embark on a 26-mile run through London ending at The Mall.

In preparation for the London Marathon, Southeastern, serving London and Kent, has added a new exit to Blackheath Station to aid runners to get to the blue start line.

In a post on X, managing director of Southeastern Steve White said: “To help @LondonMarathon runners this year we have added another exit at @Se_Railway Blackheath station to help get you to the blue start line.”

Getting to the blue line

The train operator also advised in a post on X that it would be running additional trains on Sunday to aid runners to reach the blue start line for the London Marathon.

Passengers travelling to the blue start line in Blackheath can travel from Charing Cross, Waterloo East, London Bridge or Victoria to complete their journeys.

Runners are also being advised that marathon runners with a number can travel for free from London Bridge, London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross, Waterloo East and London Victoria.

However, runners will be required to have a valid train ticket for travel in and out of London for the day.

A spokesperson for Southeastern said: "We're running extra services on Sunday morning to get runners to the designated start areas in Blackheath, Greenwich and Maze Hill.

"We expect 20,000 people to travel through Blackheath alone and we'll be opening temporary exits to help ease overcrowding.

"Our trains and stations will be very busy and we'll have additional staff on-duty to help reduce congestion and to provide travel advice and assistance."

"Check travel information here: TCS London Marathon | Southeastern (southeasternrailway.co.uk)."