Running a marathon

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

So, after about 20 years of solid rejections I have finally got a place in the London Marathon for next year. Annoyingly I had also signed up to Manchester Marathon (which is on the same day) a few weeks ago on the assumption that I wouldn't get in to London.

Who here has done a marathon and how does London compare to others?

Any top tips for training? I've done a few Half's in about 1:45 so have set a target of 3:45 for the full...

[Turkish]

good luck mate. I fancy doing a marathon. I've done loads of tough mudders and similar, for the last 4 years i've been doing crossfit so done quite a few competitions with that but knocked that on the head now. A marathon and a triathlon feel like the only things left to tick off. under 4 hours would be a really good time. I wont do it that quick but then i am the wrong side of 45 lol. 

[Fan The Flames]

I don't know crossfit, is it like zumba?

[Turkish]

6 hours ago, Fan The Flames said:

I don't know crossfit, is it like zumba?

lol yeah it’s exactly like that 

[badgerx16]

8 hours ago, Fan The Flames said:

I don't know crossfit, is it like zumba?

It is exercising whilst angry.

[Weston Super Saint]

This is apparently one of the best training videos.

[Turkish]

11 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

It is exercising whilst angry.

maybe. Or maybe its by far the best training program on the planet. 

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Anyone else since found out they're in London or other marathon. If so, how's the training going?

It's dawned on me that according to my plan I'm needing to run (at least) a half marathon at least once a week for the next 3 months, plus about 3-4 other runs/gym sessions per week. It's actually flipping exhausting. New found appreciation for people who do marathons, or similar/longer, endurance events regularly. Not sure where you're supposed to find the time either.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

Anyone do the Southampton or Brighton marathons last weekend? Bit sweaty?

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

2 hour time officially broken at the London Marathon today. Unbelievable sporting milestone that just a few years ago sounded impossible. Appreciate better shoes help, but nothing to take away from the achievement 

I'm an OK runner - not great, but better than average (3:30ish marathon PB), but I couldn't' keep up their pace for barely 100m. It's basically (fast) sprinting for over 26 miles.

[benjii]

1 hour ago, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

2 hour time officially broken at the London Marathon today. Unbelievable sporting milestone that just a few years ago sounded impossible. Appreciate better shoes help, but nothing to take away from the achievement 

I'm an OK runner - not great, but better than average (3:30ish marathon PB), but I couldn't' keep up their pace for barely 100m. It's basically (fast) sprinting for over 26 miles.

Yeah, it's mental.

[Turkish]

On 26/04/2026 at 21:31, Stripey McStripe Shirt said:

2 hour time officially broken at the London Marathon today. Unbelievable sporting milestone that just a few years ago sounded impossible. Appreciate better shoes help, but nothing to take away from the achievement 

I'm an OK runner - not great, but better than average (3:30ish marathon PB), but I couldn't' keep up their pace for barely 100m. It's basically (fast) sprinting for over 26 miles.

Isn’t it running at 21kmph for just under 2 hours? I remember a few years back I did 20kmph on for 20 seconds and 20 off for 20 minutes a few times and was absolutely gassed by the end of it. It’s a crazy pace 

Saw earlier some other bloke ran it with a  a fridge on his back which is mental as well

 

 

[whelk]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Isn’t it running at 21kmph for just under 2 hours? I remember a few years back I did 20kmph on for 20 seconds and 20 off for 20 minutes a few times and was absolutely gassed by the end of it. It’s a crazy pace 

Saw earlier some other bloke ran it with a  a fridge on his back which is mental as well

 

 

It is insane. Just over 14 mins for each 5k! And doing 100 metres in 17 seconds odd - over 400 of them consecutively. 
As you say stick that on a treadmill and you are flying off if you make it to a minute