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Original poster

London Marathon

26 replies

disappearingme · 28/04/2026 09:09

The footage gets me every year. From the sub 2 hour record, to the final finishers. I am running for charity next year. Haven't run a day in my life so have a year to get going. But boy am I feeling motivated! First run today.

Did anyone on here run it?

Anyone advice from runners. To a newbie?

Anyone favourite LM moments?

OP posts:
Anotherrainydaynosurprise · 04/05/2026 09:12

Noseylittlemoo · 30/04/2026 15:12

I would echo some of the points in this post. I am an experienced runner - I've done 10 marathons (between 3h20 and 3h50). But when I started I built up to 10k and spent several years doing parkruns, 10ks and HMs before signing up to a marathon.
I think a lot of people underestimate the sheer time and discipline you need to train properly for a marathon. I would say that at peak training phase you will need to go out minimum 3 times a week , 1-2h for two of the runs and half a day set aside for the long run .
Your longest run will be 3-3.5h so you'll ideally be at a point where you can cover 18 to 20 miles in that time , otherwise come marathon day there's going to be a lot of unchartered territory.
I absolutely loved my first London Marathon and it really is an experience like no other, so I'm not trying to put you off having it as a goal just recommending a longer journey to get there. Definitely start running , go to parkruns -hopefully fall in love with running, build some great running memories and achievements. I say this because in midst of peak marathon training there will be times when you'll say you hate running and it will really help to remember why you're doing it and all that it's brought you so far!

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I agree with all this - just one thing if you are a slower runner like me you can get up to 16 miles which I did and still be ok to do the full marathon on the day. It’s 3 1/2hrs on feet or distance - no benefit to doing more than 3 1/2hrs.

And your long lonely runs are nothing like marathon day - the crowds, the carb loading and the adrenaline get you through on the day!

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