Not to spectate while Husband runs the London Marathon

Meeting him at the start and the finish is fine. Goodness knows where you'd even be guaranteed to see him with the crowds along the route. Are you meant to be running alongside the route, camera aloft?!

London is amazing, it really is an event like no other.

My whole family came to see me run, I met them twice en route. Tracking was easy, they did it online I think, fairly standard now for big runs I think?

It was 2011 when I did it so long time ago but I loved it and being able to share it with my family was great.

Not to get all morbid but my mum and dad followed my dbro round the UK watching him run and it’s given them real comfort since he was killed (while running). None of us know what’s ahead, it’s made me rethink so much.

I think you may regret not going to watch at all even if you didn’t spot him. It’s super easy to go and watch for a bit along the embankment - especially nearer to the Blackfriars end. You don’t get huge crowds. I’ve gone along a couple of times just to see who I see and it’s always a lovely atmosphere.

I've done it several times - meeting him at the end is a nightmare and there's no phone reception either.

I've done it with and without support - made no odds to me really as I was focusing on my time. If you're husband is the same and not bothered I would probably swerve it tbh.

Towards the end you could not get across Trafalgar Square to the end point in the Mall because of the huge number of people there.

We were there last year supporting a family member and trying to get anywhere was mayhem.
They closed some of the tube stations and we ended up walking about 14 miles.
We saw our family member 3 times and they were absolutely buoyed on by us being there.
We also managed some coffees and pastries and a lunch.
You need to get somebody to map their run before they go based on their training stats then you will know where to see them.

I'm a runner and I would not care less if my husband was not in the middle to see me. Waving me off and meeting met at the end would be fine. He would get so bored. I'm with you. It's not your race it's his. Controversial to a lot of replies I've seen but I personally would not care.

I think it depends what he wants, but personally I wouldn't really care. Particularly a crowded marathon like the London, it's not like he's going to stop to have a chat

Definitely get your coffee and pastry and enjoy a walk around London OP!

You’re already supporting his hobby by going with him and transporting the luggage, and you’ll be at the finish line - no reason you can’t do something for yourself in the meantime :)

I am with you on this. It may be emotional for some, but not for me... Sorry I just don't get it. Go and have a pastry and coffee OP!

I'm on your side op - enjoy your time and peace, it sounds like you and your DH support each other in a natural way and don't need to "demonstrate" it any further to prove anything to anyone.

As I said, there is a difference between first marathons and just another race. I've done the cheering on the masses thing and have been a marshal in the past. I've also dipped in to cheer my husband in earlier marathons and now.do what is convenient for the family and me and it's fine. The overly emotive posts will not be coming from seasoned runners+spouses, it's not that big a deal for some and unless they are schlepping round in 5 hours it can actually be tricky to catch them! 😆

Enjoy your weekend, you deserve it, and enjoy supporting your husband in the way you know best. x

I think your plan is a sensible one, @SaveAHorseRideAHighlander.

I run marathons, and my DH is a fantastic supporter and makes a mission out of arranging to see me in as many places around the course as he can. Two years ago I ran London for the first time in many years and even just going to the entrance to the start area beforehand with me, then to a place the runners go past twice (he only managed to spot me once), then to the repatriation area was horribly stressful for him and I promised that if I got a place for London again I'd splash out on a nice hotel somewhere central and he could wave me off at the bedroom door in the morning, watch the TV coverage and follow me on the tracker, and make his way down to the repatriation area when it looked as if I was getting near the finish.

This was my experience as well. I think you might regret it

Tbh everywhere will be SO busy you’ll struggle with your nice coffee and pasty anyway I think. You might get a takeaway but everywhere in central will be rammed.

I do a sport that has a lot of mass-participation time-trial type events. No one expects their relatives to watch on the course; we all accept that it's bloody boring to be stood in one spot for ages, trying to guess when your loved one will be coming through, especially when they probably won't see/hear you calling anyway.
Support at the start or end of the race, particularly of the practical kind, is pure gold though. Drinks, snacks, fresh kit, different shoes, all very much appreciated.

I love watching the London Marathon! Like some PPs have said, it’s so emotional and has an amazing atmosphere if you like people cheering and being openly positive (I do!)

Over the years, I’ve run it, my DH has run it twice, and various family members have done it too. We’ve always gone out to watch them - we really love the atmosphere.

We always went to mile 13, and when they’d passed up, heading across to mile 21 to catch them again on the way around.

It does feel quite special, especially as the slower runners come through.

Whatever you decide, make sure you know his race number and download the app to track him. Last year it was brilliant - pretty much real time, and gives you such a lot of info about where your runner is and what times they are doing.

How long will it take him? If he's not super fast there are lots of places you can get to where the crowds will be thin and he would definitely see you. When I've watched London, I've managed to see people 3/4 or five times. Can you not track him and see him at least once on the course?

I ran my first half marathon last month. I spun out over the idea of being watched running by people who knew me. My boyfriend didn't even ask if I wanted him to cheer me along the route. Friends who came out thought they were being supportive, but it tore me up a little every time I saw one. It didn't motivate me in the slightest.

I've watched 3 close friends run the London marathon through the last 25 years. One wanted me there. The other two didn't mind either way. The marathon atmosphere is not where I'm at tbh. I'd have rather spent the time enjoying London proper than waiting for friends to run past me. And celebrating with them at the end.

So only you and your DH can make this decision. What does he want? What do you want? We're all different. You do what works best for you as a couple. It doesn't matter what your friend thinks.

I love going to watch the marathon and do it most years, even if I don't know anyone running.

Also, a quiet walk and a coffee will be very difficult on marathon day. London will be heaving.

I'm a runner and say YANBU!!
The crowds are insane! Moving from one place to another along the route is hellish, on foot or on the tube.
I've done it 4 times and DH has been to watch twice, but I wouldn't care if he didnt come to watch, again (if I do it again)
I meet with running club friends and look out for lots of club mates but I don't think I'd enjoy spectating on my own

I’d find it boring standing there waiting for the four seconds it takes him to pass. I would do exactly what you are doing.

When I ran it, it was a very exciting experience, lots of emotion. But if he's an experienced runner he may not care so much. It was a one-time thing for me 😆