The London Marathon is Back with a WH Silverback Marquee
We were thrilled to be back on-site for the London Marathon after a two-year hiatus! This year marked the 43rd London Marathon running of the race, and over 53,000 participants pounded the pavements of London.
Our team kicked things off bright and early on Wednesday, April 17th, arriving at the unit at 6:30 am. With everything prepped and ready, we focused on loading the lorry which arrived at 8.00am.
The team then split up to tackle deliveries. One group headed out with the lorry for the second collection point, while another raced to The Mall to receive and unload
concrete weights arriving later that afternoon.
Coordinating logistics for a 26.2-mile race that snakes through London requires a massive effort from a dedicated network of suppliers. It’s a complex operation but seeing it all come together and being a very small cog in a giant wheel is amazing.
The Wednesday Load in day set the stage for an early start the next day. Our focus was building the structure, specifically getting the groundwork prepped for the internal fit-out.
The first task, positioning the concrete weights to secure the flooring. Once laid, forklifts and pump trucks were off-limits as we optimised space within the designated area.
A key challenge emerged – our marquee needed to connect with another structure. Since they had to set the height first, we had to adjust ours accordingly. This caused some delays in laying the floor.
The show did however go on, despite the obstacle the floor was laid, and the marquee itself began to take shape. Here’s where our brand-new beauty truly
shined: a 9×70 metre marquee, boasting a sleek, modern look. What truly set it apart was the unique combination of a 9-metre curve, 3-metre leg height, and 5-metre
bays. This unconventional setup created the illusion of an even grander space, making it a real showstopper.
Knowing it would be a long night, we treated the team to pizza. It’s not every day you get a Deliveroo delivery right outside Buckingham Palace!
By the end of Day 1, the marquee was erected, the roof secured, 70% of the external walling was complete, and two carpet strips were laid – ready for the internal walling to begin on Friday morning.
A 6:30 am wake-up call for some crew members signaled the beginning of a bustling Friday. Our team reinforcements arrived, bringing the total on-site workforce to 20 strong – marquee builders, carpenters, internal walling specialists, and carpet fitters. Today was all about final touches and ensuring race-day readiness.
The internal walling became the day’s central focus. This intricate project involved lining the entire 70-metre structure, creating designated areas like changing rooms, cloakrooms, a massage room, and even a kitchen! The purpose was twofold: providing functionality and creating a canvas for later graphic installations. The clock was ticking!
While the walling went up, another crew tackled the roof linings and globe lights. These lights were a brilliant addition, adding a touch of atmosphere to the hospitality space.
Our top-notch carpet fitters deserve a special shout-out. They expertly manoeuvred around everyone else, ensuring seamless carpet installation not just within our
marquee but also in the adjoining structure, including ramps, a disability platform,and a separate ramp further down the mall.
The glass, bifold, and double doors were all strategically positioned to accommodate ramps built around them afterward. The carpenters were busy superheroes today. They constructed an emergency exit walkway along the back of the marquee, cleverly navigating the maze of bollards and lamp posts. The team encountered some existing bollards within the structure, particularly in the kitchen and main entrance. But fear not! The carpenters skilfully designed the build around these fixed elements, seamlessly integrating them into the overall layout. Finally, they tackled the construction of external ramps for all the doors.
By 3pm, the clients furniture and graphics teams began setting up. This influx meant even more people working within the marquee, but by this stage, the finish
line was firmly in sight.
Another Deliveroo delivery – this time featuring burritos – fuelled the team for the final push. With renewed energy and a clear home stretch ahead, everyone worked tirelessly to complete the project.
It was a whirlwind 48 hours, with various teams working tirelessly across The Mall to meet the deadline. The dedication and collaboration were truly inspiring.
The culmination of these efforts was a magnificent VIP hospitality structure, ready to impress on race day. It was a showcase of what teamwork and meticulous planning can achieve, marking a fantastic kick-off to the event season!
