Running the Majors: A London Marathon Adventure

Unlock the secrets of the TCS London Marathon's vibrant history and the electrifying spirit that captivates both runners and spectators alike. Join me, Coach Christine, along with Ashley from Mystical Dream Travel, as we journey through the iconic streets of London, sharing insider tips and fascinating stories about this legendary race. From its inception by visionaries Chris Brashear and John Disley to its impressive legacy of raising over 1 billion British pounds for charity, the London Marathon is a testament to community and camaraderie. 

Get ready for some cheeky pub anecdotes, tales of fancy dress runners, and strategies to handle the notorious springtime weather.

We'll guide you through the scenic marathon route, starting in picturesque Greenwich Park and culminating near Buckingham Palace, with helpful advice on pacing and hydration. 

Whether you're targeting a personal best or running for the sheer joy of it, our discussion includes navigating mixed mile and kilometer markers, managing on-course fueling, and the crucial role of volunteers. 

As a special treat, we preview the next World Marathon Major, sparking excitement for upcoming races. 

Want to keep this "major" conversation going? Join the Women of the World Marathon Majors or the Stride Collective. 

Lace up and let the camaraderie and excitement of the London Marathon fuel your own running dreams.

Chapters

• 0:00 London Marathon
• 11:50 London Marathon Course Logistics
• 24:31 Next World Marathon Major Preview

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Hey friends, welcome back to Extraordinary Strides, where we lace up, lean in and chase extraordinary feats around the globe. I'm your host, coach Christine, and today we're taking you on a royal tour through the streets of London, home to the TCS London Marathon. Afternoon Tea and maybe a few cheeky pub stops or at least definitely for me that sounds like so much fun.

Speaker 2: 0:22

Christine, I'm Ashley from Mystical Dream Travel and I'll be your tour guide today. Get ready for fun facts, insider tips, a few Harry Potter references, because we're heading to one of the most spectacular marathons in the world, where the spirit of community, tradition and fancy dress runners come alive. Runners come alive. Whether you're planning to earn that Abbott world marathon major star or just love renting banter.

Speaker 1: 0:50

We've got you covered and we're going to ask you to stay connected with us, either in the stride collective, which is the podcast community page, or women of the world marathon majors on Facebook, because we've got tips, we've got more conversation coming your way and maybe even an invite or two for those post-race fish and chips, maybe, if not at London, at least definitely Epcot. So grab your trainers and let's hit the streets of London Friends. So we're going to start with a little bit of where it all began. Right, I mean, this London Marathon has become iconic. It's definitely one of my favorites. But before we get into it, I could not have an episode without asking you, ashley, where does this rank on your excitement level? For you I know that we spoke Boston is at the very top of your level of excitement. Tokyo is a little bit lower down there. Where would we have London on this one?

Speaker 2: 1:33

I think this one's a little bit above Tokyo but still more towards the end. You know, still an iconic race. But I just I don't know I feel like of the world marathon majors that are overseas for us. I feel like I'm more excited for Berlin than London. Okay, it's still classic and a lot of history and the race, but I don't think it has enough to kind of overturn the other ones.

Speaker 1: 2:08

Oh, you may change your mind when you make it to the mean streets of London, my friend, but we will see. I can't wait to have that conversation on the flip side of things. But for now, we are going to talk about the fact that London Marathon was founded in 1981 by Chris Brashear and John Disley after they were inspired by the New York City Marathon. So Brashear wrote an article for the Observer and he called the marathon the greatest folk festival the world has ever seen. And while I love that vision, I can 100% concur that that's exactly what he turned the London Marathon into, because that is exactly what it feels like when you run it.

Speaker 2: 2:43

In its first year there were over 20,000 runners that applied, but only 6,747 were accepted. That is a very specific number.

Speaker 1: 2:54

You know, what's funny is that I still feel like these are the kinds of odds that you get. Actually, the odds are probably even better back then and it's still astronomically small in comparison. It's wild, absolutely.

Speaker 2: 3:04

But today the London London Marathon is one of the world's most competitive marathons to get into and its fundraising legacy is definitely unmatched. Runners have to raise over 1 billion British pounds for charity because of or since its inception, with 67 million British pounds raised just last year. That's some big numbers.

Speaker 1: 3:29

I mean, it's incredible to me, it just blows my mind, and they're incredibly proud of that. So we'll talk a little bit more about that as well. But when can people expect to prepare for their London Marathon foray?

Speaker 2: 3:42

Yeah, the London Marathon is in late April. It's springtime, so obviously you have all of the wonderful things that come with spring, including spring allergies but, also your temperatures. So this is, I think, one of the more gamble races. So the temperatures are typically 45 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. However, if you've ever heard the place British weather, you know it can be anything from sunshine to drizzle within a mile. So make sure that you are packing your layers and being ready for anything, as, like many of the world majors, that happened in the spring.

Speaker 1: 4:23

You know, I feel like I must have gotten relatively lucky because I had gorgeous weather for most of the races that we've chatted about, but I'm not going to brag about that. I think it's time for a little bit of fun facts. You were telling us about all of that money that's been raised, so what do you have up your sleeve about all that, ashley?

Speaker 2: 4:41

Yeah. So there's so many wonderful fun facts about London and the London Marathon, but did you know that the London Marathon holds the Guinness World Record for the largest annual fundraising event?

Speaker 1: 4:55

I feel like I mean, not only did I kind of I know that they have a lot of fundraising and that just a big angle for fundraising, but they do tons of different world records there. Like, I think when I was there there was somebody who was dribbling a basketball while they were running trying to break that record and then there was somebody running like the tallest Big Ben costume. It's just insane. It's like a feast for the eyes.

Speaker 1: 5:16

Yeah, but that's so wonderful because there's so many people supporting charities and their missions Seriously and in such a very fun way and I think, again to show even the spirit of the London marathon. Uh, I love the fact that during the inaugural race in 1981, the men's race ended in a tie between Dick Beardsley and Inge Simonson and they crossed the finish line holding hands, which makes me, I mean, that's great camaraderie in spirit, but also so iconically London.

Speaker 2: 5:44

Absolutely, and that's, I mean, speaks volumes for the running community. There's so many people that it's not a competition. It's everybody's there for the same reasons and having fun, so just kind of ties back to that lovely group of family that we have. Yep, absolutely. Did you know that the London Marathon is famous for its fancy dress runners? Every year you see runners in costumes ranging from giraffes, rhinos to Big Ben. Yes, somebody actually ran as the clock tower.

Speaker 1: 6:19

I think it was the only way that I was actually able to see Big Ben when I was there, because Big Ben was under renovation. So, thankfully to all the runners that decided to don the costume, it felt like I was able to still get in that classic London experience. This is the one time where I can say that these rhinos that were dressed in full rhino costumes like it does humble you a little bit to know that you're being overtaken on the course by someone wearing like a I don't know at least a 45 pound costume, and they're making it look easy. But again, all about raising those dollars and having a lot of fun when they do it. This is actually, though, while we're talking about having a lot of fun, it does have quite a bit of course records to chat about, because it is a fast race still, maybe not as flat and fast as Berlin and Chicago, but still it does have a lot of particulars. It allows you to go a little bit quicker as you're out there, if that is your jam.

Speaker 1: 7:11

The men's course record is Kelvin Kipton at two oh one, 25. That was set in 2023. I love. The women's course record is still held by Paula Radcliffe at two 1525 from 2003. And I always wonder if this is going to be the year that it gets broken. And then we've seen the men's wheelchair record, marcel Hug he's just absolutely a dynamite on the course 123.44 for 2023. And the women's wheelchair record by Catherine DeBruner 138.24. Recently she just set that in 2022. Those are some incredible, incredible numbers and obviously marathon times like when I look at these and we should run them that quickly, and then you could go cheer everybody else on right oh, but then we do have the golden question for these races how do you gain entry into the London Marathon?

Speaker 2: 8:11

So there are a few different options for this race. Much like any of the others, there is a general ballot, but this one is very different than the others because it is very highly competitive. As we saw in the earlier numbers, the odds are only around two percent they actually gain entry, which is insane for the amount of runners in the world today. There is also the option, of course, for a charity entry. We we know they're big for this, so this is is a great race for testing that charity fundraising out. There is also a good for age, so if you meet a qualifying time at a certified marathon, you can gain entry into the London Marathon.

Speaker 2: 8:57

They also have the Abbott World Marathon major draw for runners with three to six major stars marathon major draw for runners with three to six um major stars. So obviously want to make sure you are registering on their website so you have the opportunity to do this. And then they also do have the tour packages. This is something that is great for a lot of people. I know a lot of people that um use this to get into the races. So if you are traveling internationally and book with an official tour operator that can kind of give you the whole deal, that is a great option to get into the London Marathon as well, absolutely, and I think that what we should take into consideration is because that GFA is only allowable for the residents of the UK.

Speaker 1: 9:39

That people sometimes get frustrated with, like, well, if I'm a resident of the country, I can't book these international tours.

Speaker 1: 9:46

But again, this kind of evens that playing field where maybe you can't utilize your GFA which is kind of like their version of VQing but you can still gain an international tour package option that residents of the UK cannot use. So I think it kind of evens the playing field and if there is a will, there is a way to get into your golden ticket of this Willy Wonka fund that is the London Marathon. So, as we've mentioned before and I think it's near and dear to both our hearts is, if you don't get into the ballot, you could do the charity system. It's really truly one of the most robust in the world. These teams are extraordinary in how they can support you and, ashley, I'm going to ask you, because you've done fundraising quite a few times Do you feel that it adds an a layer of complexity or, for you, do you feel like it's just it gives you so much more of a pep in your step during training and the actual race.

Speaker 2: 10:33

I think it gives you a little bit more meaning to all of your training miles. You have something that you know you're supporting a group of people that might not necessarily have this support otherwise, so you're kind of supporting that mission. A lot of them have a lot of great missions out there, but finding one that speaks to your heart makes it easy out there. But finding one that speaks to your heart and makes it easy, um, it's not an additional challenge or a layer to uh your training or anything like that, because it comes very natural, um, and you're, when I'm lacing up my shoes, I know, okay, I'm running for this reason and this is why I'm coming out here, like I have more purpose to what I'm doing, um, which makes me like kind of lights that that fire under my butt to keep on going. You know it's not time to give up, because these people don't have the option sometimes to give up. Yeah, absolutely.

Speaker 1: 11:26

I love that, I love that perspective, and if you are thinking, you know what? I don't want anything more in my life than to just I want to run London in a rhino costume. Do you know that you can do that with Runwood Charity, because actually that would be like the World Wildlife Federation. So look into the things that kind of make your heart tick, as exactly Ashley said, because there is a lot of fun across the board to be had. So, not looking at it as something that you have to do, but something that you have a wonderful opportunity to do.

Speaker 1: 11:50

But we're going to talk a little bit about the course layout, because it is a scenic tour of London. The race is going to start in Greenwich Park and it finishes at the mall right near Buckingham Palace, and along the way you're going to pass some of the most iconic landmarks, like Cutty Sark, where again you can wave to the 19th century ship, tower Bridge, canary Wharf and the Tower of London and the mall. I mean, if you can even see these things though, because the throngs of spectators are huge, so you may actually have to just kind of aside from the Tower Bridge. A lot of these are going to be swamped by people. You are going to have all of the good vibes people cheering you on.

Speaker 2: 12:32

Absolutely. And for those that have spectators, just make sure you remember that the mile markers aren't in miles, but your timing splits post race will be in kilometers, so don't panic when you see both. You are correct, but they do use two different measurements.

Speaker 1: 12:54

You know I do love that. Actually, I love when races are done in kilometers, because I love not knowing Like I mean I just want to like go out there and enjoy myself and something about not hitting like that wall that you associate with specific mileage is a lot of fun. But again, I didn't really see a lot of the course mile markers just because it was, so I mean it was truly a feast for the senses. Now, this one is one of the races where, if you are back of the pack, there is a more cushy time limit. It's an eight hour course limit. But don't be lulled into complacency. The course has rolling cutoffs and you do need to maintain a steady pace to avoid being swept. But I do think that they've worked really hard in the past few years to really remedy some of the previous issues they may have had with closing up the course early. So I think that now they have definitely come a very long way of making sure that it is inclusive and a full party, no matter what pace you run.

Speaker 2: 13:47

And before you can tow up to that start line, to even get to your race, you do have to go to the expo race. You do have to go to the expo. So the expo is held at Excel London, where you will pick up your bag, check out the gear, attend any pre-race seminars, meet your friends and family If they might not be traveling with you. This is a great place to kind of hang out, see some of the stuff that they have to offer. But don't forget to stay off of your feet. That is another thing to keep in mind. I know we go to the expos and see the shiny new things and completely forget that we need to sit for a little while.

Speaker 1: 14:28

I feel so seen in this, I feel so seen For the day before London. I think I put in like 20 miles on my feet. We walked and walked and walked. So do not do that. That's definitely I would not advise that. But because the weather is so drastically hard to predict, the expo is a great place that if you are concerned of leaving something behind, whether rain or shine, you can, if you didn't pack it likely find something at the expo.

Speaker 1: 14:54

But let's talk about the on-course fueling and hydration. Water is available at water stations every two miles, starting at mile two, and water stations this is something that I had difficulty with they're not always directly on the mile markers, so, runners, you really need to be on the lookout for them, because I truly missed at least six of the water stations. So that's something to take into consideration. They do offer them in water bottles with little drink spouts, so you might want to practice that or, again, if you feel more comfortable, carrying your own. And their electrolyte drink of choice is Lucozade and it's kind of similar to Gatorade Endurance and it has about 32 grams of carbs with 250 milligrams of sodium per 16 ounces. But again, if you've been practicing with something else, you can take your own hydration on the course or order it on Amazon and start practicing with it.

Speaker 2: 15:45

And they do have energy dolls also available on the course. These are towards the end of the race. After that kind of halfway point, runners can have time, can time their gels so they can wash them down with water at nearby water stations, because they do plan that accordingly.

Speaker 1: 16:05

Or you can do what I did and just go into a convenience store and grab yourself a beer. I mean, literally, I missed the water stations and I needed hydration, so why not I?

Speaker 2: 16:12

mean, you only run it once.

Speaker 1: 16:14

Exactly, but most runners are only once, so you got to do it so truly.

Speaker 2: 16:16

If you don't want to Exactly, maybe once more, but most runners are only once, so you got to do it so truly.

Speaker 1: 16:20

If you don't want to be unprepared like I was, you're going to want to carry that hydration pack, that handheld or that waist belt Specifically, I think and I've mentioned this in the back of the pack. If you are back of the pack sometimes it's just it gives you a bit of that comfort to know that you've got your water on you in case you do miss a water station. But again, one of the things that I think we've talked about before, ashley, is like the best way to tackle a water station is, of course, to slow it down, time it with your your walk break, or take your walk break and then make eye contact with a volunteer that you're planning on taking it from, give them a good thank you and grab your water and or your gel and keep going.

Speaker 2: 16:55

Absolutely. We wouldn't have these races without the so many volunteers that are out there. So I always definitely make that a purpose to thank as many of them as I possibly can because they truly. I mean, we're out there running, so the race wouldn't happen if we weren't running, but we wouldn't be out there running if we didn't have them. So, volunteers, thank you Everybody out there. If out there running if we didn't have them. So volunteers, thank you Everybody out there. If you ever get a chance to volunteer, definitely do it, because it is very humbling to see the amount of people that do truly appreciate it, and I know I do.

Speaker 1: 17:26

Yeah, I do too. Now, you mentioned spectators earlier on, so tell me, where do we find our friends and family on this gorgeous, incredible course?

Speaker 2: 17:35

So for anyone that has their family and friends coming along with them, the Cutty Sark is a great spot early in the race. The right after the tower bridge is one of the most iconic spots to meet up with your runners. The embankment is just before the final push so you can make sure you're cheering them on, getting them that extra little pep in their step to get it there, and then the mall, which is the obviously coveted finish line area. So making sure you're cheering the runners completely through the finish shoot and watching them get that lovely metal dawn.

Speaker 1: 18:12

Actually these are all four of the spots that I had my spectators at for the record. So you, like you nailed that in regards to these are really wonderful suggestions because, specifically with Tower Bridge, the course is going to kind of go in and out, where they're going to have to kind of cross, maybe underneath, through the tube, but you can see them a couple times around there. Cutty Stark, it is a madhouse, but if you plan it accordingly, you can definitely find them there as well. And, of course, who doesn't want to see their other half or their family and friends waiting for them at the finish line? Again, extraordinary race, tons of spectators. So, whether you're traveling with friends or family, just know that you already have everybody there at London is cheering you on. But how are they getting around? And how are we getting around Ashley?

Speaker 2: 18:51

Yeah. So the London Tube system is your best friend for this race and anything around there, so you're going to want to grab your oyster card or use contact payment to hop on and off easily. The riverboat is also a wonderful thing. It's fun and scenic option for those to view the sites before or after the race without spending too much time on your feet. If you're not a fan of sightseeing from the water, there is a ability to book a double-decker tour and hop on, hop off bus. These are wonderful. I love seeing them around the Pittsburgh area. It kind of gives you a different viewpoint of the city, but I love that ability to hop on, hop off If you see something you love just get off and it saves your legs and you still get an opportunity to see the site.

Speaker 1: 19:43

Because, I mean, let's be honest, for a lot of us, these are destinations that we're going to, and if we do get a chance to go back, it might be seen from a whole different way. So I think those are awesome opportunities. Now we're going to stay. We've chatted about at each every episode. We're going to keep talking about that, because it really is all about personal preference.

Speaker 1: 19:59

There are folks that like to stay close to the start Again, this is not this is a point to point, course with a few out and backs as well. So you could start close, or you could stay close to the start at Greenwich. You could stay close to Canary Wharf, which is kind of more of in the middle, or you could stay it's a little bit after the middle, I should say a little bit after Tower Bridge, which is the halfway point, or you could stay close to the finish line in Westminster. So it's ideal for sightseeing after the race as well, Again, knowing that the city does shut down for this race, like it does for most of the all the major cities do. So you're going to be able to get around rather easily regardless well around the world for many runners.

Speaker 2: 20:43

So there are some must-see things that you can't see anywhere else. So the first thing is definitely make sure you are riding the London Eye, kind of give you a different perspective of things. Visit the Tower of London, which is seen in so many movies I know the first one that comes to mind for us Disney folks is Peter Pan. Now, the first one that comes to mind for us Disney folks is Peter Pan. Or you can also tour the Buckingham Palace. There's so many lovely things to see and so much history in this area that you definitely want to make sure you see. And then there's also a way to reward yourself after the race because we just ran all these miles.

Speaker 2: 21:22

So make sure you are doing an afternoon tea or you can hit a pub for some lovely fish and chips.

Speaker 1: 21:30

Yeah, I love this. You know, I am so disappointed that I did not go to Tower of London. So now, when you go back to do London and I go to cheer you on, I'll have to make that happen for myself, because I'm like, oh, I didn't do Tower of London, I should have made that happen. But again, there to tower of london, I should have made that happen. Um, but again, there's always opportunities, hopefully, to come back to some of these really iconic locations.

Speaker 1: 21:49

So, with that said, one of the things that london is well known for is that they do have. It is a world-class city with world-class cuisine. But if you want to try some of the things that they're very well known for fish and chips, sunday roast chicken, tikka masala, which I love so much, sticky toffee pudding, and we mentioned that afternoon tea with scones and clotted cream I think it's pretty iconic for, especially for us Americans that maybe have a little bit of Anglophile kind of tendencies, where we are a little enthusiastic about the customs that we don't really have in our day to day basis. Now, when we talk to friends from across the pond, ashley, one thing that I figure is like while we're talking English, I don't understand some of the terms that they're using, especially when we're talking about running or our day to day. So you tell me, do you have any terms that you've heard of from runners that you or from other friends across the pond that kind of come in mind to you?

Speaker 2: 22:41

So the best one, I thinkancy Dress. This is costumes galore. There's superheroes, animals, big Ben, you name it, you can find it, and then there's also Cheeky Nando's. This is the perfect post-raise meal at your British fast food, which is very interesting.

Speaker 1: 23:04

Yeah, there's a few other ones that kind of come to mind. So have you heard like UK runners call it, their like gear, their kit? Yes, yeah, so that's like always a really fun one to kind of hear. I'm like I don't know what you're talking about my kit, I don't need a first aid kit. So I'm like I'm okay, I promise I may look like I need one, but I'm fine. But yeah, so kit comes to mind. And of course, park run, which really did take like it's huge over in the UK not quite so popular down here, but maybe a little. Finding your local park run is a great way to do a shakeout or, if you're staying for a little bit longer, want to do a little bit of recovery run, since it is not a pace style run, it is something where you're kind of running at your pace and for your joy. There's a few things like do you watch any of the things that are like more British, like are you into the Crown or, I don't know, bridgerton, any of those kinds of things?

Speaker 2: 23:56

No, but I know they're. They're very popular and I have to tell myself that I haven't watched a lot of them, so I can't say that, hey, you're busy running.

Speaker 1: 24:05

Yeah, you're busy running and watching. Run Disney, I got you, I got you. Or maybe they're wrist to cats, right, are they? Were they in the UK? Were they in France?

Speaker 1: 24:15

Oh gosh, I should have checked that before I actually did it, but anyway, of course you can add some incredible things to your playlist. London calling by the clash, god save the queen and we are the champions I think these are all classics. Incredible things to your playlist. London Calling by the Clash God Save the Queen and we Are the Champions. I think these are all classics to add to your playlist.

Speaker 2: 24:31

Absolutely Now, friends. We are not quite done seeing the World Marathon majors. But that is a wrap on the London Marathon. We are aiming for a personal best or planning to run it for fun. London is an experience that you won't want to forget.

Speaker 1: 24:48

It really is incredible, but we're going to ask you to join us next time as we make our way to well, actually, to maybe the latest and greatest and the newest of the World Marathon majors, where we're going to have a big, long discussion. If it's considered a spring, winter or summer, we're going to see. We're going to chat about it next time. You're going to want to meet us there. So, with that said, friends, don't forget to connect with us at the Stride Collective or Women of the World Marathon Majors on Facebook. Until then, keep striving toward the extraordinary.