Race: London Marathon
Runner: Coach Kylie Cardoso
Race Date: 04/27/2025
Location: London, UK
Results: 2:58:22
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The crowds!
- All of the iconic sights you run by
- Very well organized throughout
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Very crowded at sections due to narrow roads and a lot of tight turns throughout the course.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
The amount of people dressed in costumes! Not necessarily weird, but different from other world majors.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
Find your pace early and don’t go out too hard. It’s a pretty flat course so a good one to try to negative split on, save some energy for the finish stretch!
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
There are barriers that will pop up in the middle of the road randomly throughout the course, ie. traffic signs or sidewalks. Pay attention so you don’t trip!
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
So many sights and iconic landmarks!
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
Not difficult, overall flat but with some sharp turns. Typical London weather in April is cool and rainy, however the year I did it it was sunny and 70s, so be prepared for anything!
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
Very well organized and well run, especially the start area and the finish.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Very strong field. There’s an out and back section that’s cool because you can see the elites coming back as you’re heading out!
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
Very tough to get in through lottery, however charity is very doable. Definitely book hotels in advance, although there are lots of options to choose from. I recommend booking a hotel near the finish that’s also near a tube station so you can easily get to the start.
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
London uses water bottles instead of cups, which is nice because it’s easier to actually get down! They have leukozade which is similar to Gatorade but a lot more sugary tasting in my opinion.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
Very spectator friendly. Loops around different sections so easy to see your runner a couple of times.
How’s the Swag?
Definitely recommend the finisher jacket, nice for these winter runs!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
5/5 stars, definitely a must run!
Kylie is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.
