Not to spectate while Husband runs the London Marathon

Your plan sounds fine. It sounds like he is into running and it's not like he is someone who needs to know you are watching or may necessarily struggle and need to spot you in the crowd to keep him going.

Watching my aunt run the Marathon with my uncle is one of my favourite days ever! We managed to see her run past 4 times and got to walk all over south east and east London. It’s really fun.

You say he's run marathons before. I think if you're both in board it's fine. I have quite a few marathons under my belt and now it is more important to me that DH has a nice weekend too. For example last year I did Manchester and he had a little tour round old Trafford while I was running haha! The main non negotiable is that he must be there to meet me at the end after I get my medal as that's when I need him and want a hug, and it feels special to have him with me. he knows that and always delivers. He has never missed a finish and is an expert at finding me, even if I can't find the prearranged spot.

Having said that... The atmosphere of London? I'd want to spectate. Even if you're unlikely to spot DH (and you know that isn't his priority), find somewhere you can watch a bit and soak up the vibe whilst also get to the finish easily after you've moved the luggage. You want to share that excitement and experience with him, and as a Londoner who has done many marathons (but sadly not London), spectating London is truly special

My daughter is running again! I didn't go in 2021 due to work committments but am retired now so no excuse. I'd love to just sit in a cafe/pub but she wants us all to cheer her on so we will do a couple of spots.

She's doing the Edinburgh marathon a month later! I live in Edinburgh so no excuse not to go.

I think you're biggest problem will be getting anywhere quiet to sit/potter. Central London on Marathon day is heaving. It'll probably take you all that time to get from one hotel to another and then to the finish line. Last year it took me 45 minutes to move down a stretch of road that would usually take 5 minutes!

I think you're mad to go to the start, it's early and inconvenient. I'd let him go to the start, go for a nice coffee and wander, find a spot to cheer him on mid race and then meet him at the end. Try and choose somewhere really specific to meet as the number of people can overwhelm phone signal in st James park at the end.

It can be really hard to walk from one viewing area to another as there are So Many People, and then you've got to elbow your way to the front at the approx right time and in the approx right place that you've agreed to be in, and then scream louder than everyone else.

Ive run the marathon. I had family en rpute and at end. En route was so hectic didnt really nake much difference. End is very emotional and I was glad they were there, they waited at my charity tent. I'd do that.

Yanbu I'd be off shopping tbh 🤣

YABU. I’ve done two half marathons and it was fantastic when I saw my family at pre-arranged spots along the way. I’m sure it was boring for them but I appreciated it so much and it really spurred me on.

Not in the least unreasonable. You’re seeing him off and facilitating the transfer of luggage between hotels. I’m sure you facilitated training runs.

And honestly, marathons are their own reward. They have to be. I have quite a few marathoner friends, one who does triathlons, and one regularly does extreme ultra-marathons (Arctic, Marathon des Sables etc). The general position is ‘Wouldn’t therapy be better for your knees?’

Enjoy your London weekend!

It doesn't sound like he does put running first?! The OP said he naturally has the stamina for long distances without a training plan (which I bet a lot of runners envy!)
It sounds like they are consider each other and respect each others wishes and OP wanted a broader perspective on her decision

I agree. Nobody runs a marathon if they don't want to! Enjoy your coffee and pastry OP!

Yep I'm with you, as long as your DH agrees. You've already watched him do a fair few races so this isn't a new thing and you'll be there before and after, he's not doing the whole thing alone. Watching races can be boring if you have a family member who participates a lot. I can't imagine hanging about railings for 4-5 hours.

I would imagine there is quite a bit of luggage for someone running a marathon bearing in mind the bits of kit that may be needed to "mend" them. A two night stay is usually not much different to what i would need for five nights. And she will be taking it for two people not just a ruck sack for one person. It will be a minimum of a full set of clothes for the runner (as clearly he is not going to wear his running gear once the marathon is finished). Not sure why you picked on that for your comment.

Gosh I can’t imagine my loved one doing this momentous thing and me not wanting to support them or be there to cheer them on. You could get coffee and a pastry any time!?
I would feel so sad if I went to do the marathon and my partner didn’t care about cheering me on. It suggests a real disconnect.

Ah, must be my jaded memory failing me. That said I think we were about an hour waiting in the pens ready to start...

I agree.

Also. Why does this Friend get to pronounce judgement on your plans for the day and tell you to do something else, when you've already worked out what you want to do with your time.

They're not the boss of how you spend your time are they?

I wouldn’t have gone to London if I wasn’t going to watch tbh.

I'm with you OP. Neither my husband or I mind re. having friends or family there to cheer the other on.
If this isn't his first, he's realistic about what to expect and doesn't mind I'd go ahead with your plans.

I ran it a few years ago and I can't tell you how much it meant to me to see my family and friends along the route. It was so emotional and it meant so much that they were there, especially in the last 6 miles when everything was hurting.

The London Marathon is one of those events that restore faith in humanity. It's a wonderfully uplifting event and I've been involved as a volunteer ever since. You're missing out OP.

I’ve run it twice.
The first time, my mum and sister set up deckchairs near the finish (you can’t get to the very finish but can get nearby) and had a lovely day, but they were there from very early in the morning to get a space. They and the people around them took it in turns to stand on the barriers as their people came past. My husband (was bf at the time) found several areas on the course to watch me and was more tired than I was at the end of the day because of all the traversing across London amongst the crowds.
The second time I ran it, nobody came to see me. Mum & sister didn’t really want to do it again, and my husband was working. It was a little bit bittersweet, but he came to meet me afterwards and actually it was fine.

My husband has run one marathon (not London) and explicitly forbid me from watching. He said he didn’t want anyone there distracting him. I got a call from FIL during the race asking where I was - he was flabbergasted that I wasn’t there supporting and had turned up himself anyway despite being told the same thing.

Anyway my point is, do what works for you. There is no right or wrong. I will say that if you haven’t experienced the atmosphere of the London Marathon before then it might be nice to head to the course (Embankment is a nice easy place to get to) because it is amazing and unlike anything else I’ve taken part in, but ultimately you guys just do what works.

That's not true - non runners can get into the park (or onto the Heath if starting there) - they just can't get into the start area.....

YANBU I have an ex that is really into running and I used to go along to races all over the country, walk to the start with him, go off and do my own thing while he ran and then met him after. Plenty of others do the same.