Dos & Don’ts For Marathon Race Day

With marathon season officially upon us, it’s time to get thinking about that all important race day plan. Here’s our top tips for the big day itself.

DON’T…

Leave all your preparation to race day morning.

There’s a reason you see those classic ‘outfit laid out’ shots the day before a race. Getting prepped the night before will save you a huge amount of stress on the morning of a race, especially if it’s an early start. Get your kit out, your number and safety pins ready, any nutrition, and get your bag packed and breakfast prepped. Your morning self will thank you. Make sure you also have a clear plan on how you’re going to get to the race, allowing plenty of buffer time for delays; you don’t want to waste precious energy having to run to the start.

Stress about getting enough sleep.

Whether it’s your first marathon or you’re a seasoned pro, pre-race nerves are completely natural and will help you through on race day. However, they obviously aren’t best friends with sleep. Despite all your best intentions, getting a good night’s sleep might not always be possible, but that’s okay. Try not to lie in bed worrying or forcing sleep. Accept the fact your sleep might not be great – or that you might not even get any – and don’t let it stress you out. One night of bad sleep won’t stop you running; your training and the crowds will absolutely get you through.

Eat or drink anything new.

Your body is a wonderful thing, but you never know what might cause a bad tummy or put you off kilter. Stick to what you know from the outset. This is particularly relevant when it comes to gels and energy drinks, which are renowned for playing havoc with our digestive systems. It can be tempting to grab the freebies from sponsors as you go round, but it’s recommended you stick to the brands and products you’ve tried and tested in your training runs. The same applies to medications, stick to what you know where you can.

Wear new kit.

If we had a number one rule this would be it, especially when it comes to trainers. Never wear a brand-new pair on race day. The risk of getting blisters or the shoes not being quite right is just too high. You also want to make sure you’re in clothing you know is comfy and isn’t going to chafe. Sticking with your tried and tested kit will avoid any undue stress during the race.

DO…

Have a plan for post-race.

This is particularly important for big races like the London Marathon. The finish area is huge, so you’ll need a plan for how you’re going to get out and home, and where you’re going to meet family and friends. If you’re running for charity, they will often have dedicated areas where you can meet others, otherwise pick a landmark or notable spot to head to. It’s often worth walking a little further from the finish and way from the crowds to meet people. If you have the option to use a kit bag, make sure you plan carefully what you’ll need post-race, especially if the weather isn’t looking great. You might be a hot mess at the end of the race, but you’ll quickly cool down in cold weather and need some layers.

Pace yourself at the start.

This is one of the most common mistakes newbies (and even experienced runners) make. Try and avoid getting caught up with the crowd and excitement and going out too fast. It’s really easy to do, especially when you’re feeling fresh at the start of the race, but trust us, it will catch up with you later on. Stick to the pace you trained for, get settled into the race, and if you feel good later on, then that’s the time to start pushing.

Move to the side if you need to walk.

Never be afraid to walk; it is perfectly acceptable and if it’s going to help you get to the finish, then it’s actively encouraged. If you do need to walk though, make sure you move over to one side so others can continue running down the middle. In races like London there’s plenty of space to do this, and it also means you benefit from high fives from the crowd.

Smile for the camera.

While you might be dying inside at mile 22, you won’t regret giving the official photographer a cheeky smile. You’ll really cherish those photos when you look back, and along with your medal they’re a great way to show off your achievement to others.

Enjoy it.

Race day will no doubt seem daunting, with months of training behind you and 26.2 miles ahead of you, it’ll be very easy to feel nervous or overwhelmed. This is the moment it all comes together though and your hard work pays off – relax, know you’ve got this, and most importantly enjoy it. Enjoy the camaraderie between runners, enjoy the crowds, enjoy seeing the course and surrounding area, and enjoy crossing that finish line and knowing you’re officially a marathon runner 🏅