Race: London Marathon
Runner: Coach Nicole Thome
Race Date: 04/27/2025
Location: London, UK
Results: 4:18:42
Strava Activity Link: https://www.strava.com/activities/14302991450/
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The Energy
- Spectators
- The city itself!
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
Not really. It’s a crowded course but that’s normal for World Majors.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
London is unique in that apparently it’s the “go to” marathon for setting Guinness World Records. Many people going for “Fastest Person Dressed as a (fill in blank!”)Don’t be surprised if you see some very interesting get-ups and costumes!
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I went into London Marathon just wanting to enjoy the spectacle of it all! Definitely feel like I accomplished that. It was my slowest marathon in several years but despite the heat, one of my most fun! (more on the heat below….)
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
- I can’t speak to transportation to the start (as I went with a tour group and we had a private bus); however, it is well-advised to arrive early. The staging area is GIANT!
- It’s a very large, grassy field — if you’re concerned about your race shoes/socks getting wet, recommend wearing an old pair and tossing them.
- Speaking of, also recommend wearing some throw-away clothes to stay warm. London, like most of the Majors, has a late start. It can be a long wait.
- Bring SNACKS! Again, long wait. You don’t want to start hungry.
- I found the gear check to be easy and smooth — both drop off and pick up.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
Living in a wintry climate, I had no opportunity to heat train. Frankly, didn’t think I’d need it. It’s London! As the British weather folks said, it was “unseasonably warm.” Low-70s by halfway point. Lesson I learned is to plan for anything! Knowing that it was going to be quite warm, I pivoted on my race plan in the first 5k or so and essentially ran it as an easy-effort run. That would be my advice — adapt and be ready for anything!
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
- Like all World Majors, it’s a crowded course. It actually begins in three different start areas and the course merges around the 5k point. Prepare for that because it really bottlenecks and there are random barriers in the middle of the road that seem to come out of nowhere (due to the crowd density).
- Relax. Settle into a steady effort. It’s a very flat course, which on a good day can lead to a fast time; however, you have to be patient.
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
I wouldn’t say it’s pretty but it is chock full of iconic landmarks. Running over Tower Bridge is definitely a highlight!
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
The course itself is easy. It’s a flat course but, as mentioned, very crowded and a lot of turns. I ran a 26.55 — as someone who can typical run tangents pretty well, it was one of my ‘longest’ marathons.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
As well-oiled as they come!
Competition – Is there a strong field?
It draws some of the world’s most elite runners so yes, very strong!
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.
As a World Major Marathon, it’s London is one of the harder ones to get into. Lottery is less than 1%. Charity and Tour Operators (which is what I did — Sports Tours International, highly recommend!) offer guaranteed entry. Qualifying is only available for UK-residents (aka, “Good for Age”).
Aid Stations – Standard fare or anything special to know about the aid stations in terms of what’s available or when?
I carry my own so I didn’t notice what they offer. Water is available in tiny bottles vs cups — which I really appreciated cause it was easier to carry than a cup. Since it was warm, they did a great job of offering ice and spraying runners down.
Weather and typical race conditions
Typically, it’s cool, comfortable and/or overcast — pretty ideal. Ave temp is 60°F (15°C).
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next runner?
Not necessarily; as mentioned, bring throw-away clothes and dress in layers in case of cooler start with increasing temps.
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
VERY much so! I’d recommend spectators use an Uber boat — you can easily spectate the course by using the river instead of the “Tube.”
How’s the Swag?
Finisher’s shirt and medal were both beautiful! It was a 45th anniversary edition, though, so many have been extra special. New Balance does the jackets and they’re really nice, too — recommend pre-ordering so you don’t have to wait in the messy line at Expo.
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
5/5! It’s a World Major — definitely an iconic race! Aside from NYC, London has the best crowds. And definitely ‘wins’ for landmark sights!
Nicole is a coach with Team RunRun. To learn more about her or to work with her, check out her coach profile.