The things I do for love! The kids were packed off to their Nan and Grandad’s for a couple of days while I headed to London to support my David running the Marathon. My brilliant plan of “let’s just get there and see what happens”… yeah, that might’ve needed some tweaking.
Between budget limits, babysitter constraints, and not being able to get time off work to travel down Friday, we had a tight window to get to London on Saturday before David had to collect his bib and sign in by 5pm. But we DID it! With just enough time to mooch around the Marathon Expo, and for David to sneak in a cheeky 20-minute massage (eye roll). “He needed to loosen his legs.” Uh-huh. Sure!…Maybe I was just jealous!
There was a beer tasting stand that turned out to be alcohol-free. Honestly, this girl can’t catch a break. Don’t worry—I made up for it later when we went for dinner at Gino D’Acampo’s restaurant, Luciano’s. Gorgeous food, but they take their sweet time cooking it!
Before that, though, I had to visit the famous Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub. I read about it in the Afterlife/Hellbeast fantasy series by Stephanie Hudson—if you’re into romantic fantasy, worth checking her out. (Check out my video of the visit!)
So, I went to support my amazing David and ended up learning a LOT—not just about runners, but about surviving the chaos as a spectator. Here are my top tips so your feet, sanity, and snacks make it to the finish line intact:
1. Hit the Expo on a Saturday Afternoon
The Excel Centre was surprisingly quiet (well, for London). We arrived around 3:30pm—only 90 minutes before closing—after a 4.5-hour drive (with a grandparent pit stop). Tight timing, but completely worth it.
As a first-time London Marathon supporter, I didn’t expect such a huge exhibition just to collect a bib! From sports gear to snacks, therapy zones to alcohol-free beer, they had it all. David loved it. I loved it. If you want a calmer experience, Saturday late afternoon is ideal.
2. Stay Just Outside London to Save £££
London prices are wild. We stayed in a budget Ibis in Barking for £140. Not fancy, but clean, comfy, and had a shiny bathroom. Bonus: fewer crowds. Downside? London’s eternal traffic noise—but I swear that’s just part of the soundtrack of London at this point.
3. UBER is Your Bestie for the Start Line
For just £18 from Barking, Uber was an absolute winner. Originally, we planned to use public transport—but the Uber was quicker, cleaner, and didn’t smell like nerves, farts, or regret. Well that is if you discount Davids!
Our driver got us right to Greenwich Park with time to spare for coffee and a stroll to David’s start point. The colour-coded bib system made everything easy to navigate. I even got a fab view of his starting wave before heading off!
4. Don’t “Wing It” – Plan Your Route
Biggest mistake? Not planning where to go after the start… Learn from my chaotic energy: wandering aimlessly in a crowd of 50,000 is a bad idea. I followed a group of people thinking they were heading to the train… nope. They were off to another viewing point.
I ended up around mile 4-5, clueless and hoping to spot David. After waiting 30 minutes, I realised he’d already passed. Oops. Also, the race app? Crappy signal. Plan your moves in advance.
5. Trains = Sardine Tins
I knew they’d be bad—but WOW. At times, I had to wait for the next train because I refused to be wedged face-first into someone’s sweaty armpit. I decided to walk from around mile 24 to the finish. Much more enjoyable! Walk where you can. Google Maps = lifesaver.
6. Pick a Viewing Spot Early (Then Guard It Like Gold)
People were already elbow-to-elbow by the time i got to the most popular spots. I struggled to get near the railings or road anywhere along the course. Being vertically challenged didn’t help. At mile 6, I climbed a wall (no regrets). Eventually, I landed a great spot at mile 25 after someone left a gap.
Some of the costumes were chef’s kiss—I saw two people dressed as the slinky dog from Toy Story. Iconic.
7. Plan a Meet-Up Point (Seriously, Do It)
The finish line is not the place to meet unless you fancy moving at 0.0003 mph through a fenced maze of sweaty strangers. We were herded like sheep through the last 400 yards. Pure chaos.
Eventually, I escaped to St. James’s Park and phoned David to meet me at Charing Cross. His landmark? “By the man selling hoodies.” Helpful… if there weren’t 12,000 men selling stuff.
We finally found each other—1.5 hours later.
8. Be the Snack Hero
David cracked open a Coke like it was liquid gold. The man was starving. All he’d had since breakfast was a wrap. Bring snacks, a drink, maybe a cheeky chocolate bar. Your runner will love you forever.
9. Sit. Rest. Snack. Repeat.
After the race, David just needed to sit. Even after my own 45-minute traffic-jam shuffle to find him, his first words were: “Can we just sit a minute?” OK, fair.
So, we plopped ourselves on the pavement in Trafalgar Square with snacks and people-watched the marathon carnage unfold. Its the calm your runner will need before attempting the London escape.
10. The Escape Plan
Charing Cross Station? Absolutely pandemonium. Trains jam-packed. No buses. We eventually made our way back, but it was rough.
Have a loose escape plan. Most runners will want food, a shower, and sleep. Unless they’re superhuman, get them to the hotel and let them crash. As soon as they sit down, it’s game over.
Being a spectator isn’t a stroll in the park—it’s a marathon of its own. Somehow, I left with one extremely sore leg and one completely fine one (??), but it was worth every ache. The vibe was incredible—like a giant festival with cheering crowds, kids dancing, strangers high-fiving, and a ridiculous number of brand-new babies making me feel broody.
With a bit of planning, some snacks, and comfy shoes, you’ll be a pro supporter. Just don’t forget the sugar. 🥤😉
