10 tips for race-day morning at the London Marathon

There’s nothing quite like it. The London Marathon is now the biggest marathon on Earth, with almost 60,000 runners expected in 2026 and a record 56,000 finishers last year. It’s not just a race – it’s a national moment.

For an event of this scale, the logistics are handled impressively well thanks to the professionalism of the organisers and the goodwill of Londoners who line the streets. But even so, race-day morning can feel overwhelming. You’re dealing with nerves, noise, crowds and clock-watching – all while trying to stay calm and conserve energy.

You’ve trained for months, you’re in the shape of your life – but one wrong move and you’ll arrive at the start line flustered, distracted or already drained. Here are 10 hard-earned tips to help you stay composed on one of the most memorable mornings of your life.

1. Don’t put blind faith in public transport
The tube usually runs smoothly but connecting trains don’t always. Coaches will get you there early – painfully early – thanks to road closures. Whatever route you’re taking, check it twice and don’t assume it’ll go to plan.

2. Know your start zone and get to the right one
There are usually five different start areas: Blue, Green, Pink, Red and Yellow. Some are a considerable way apart. If you get dropped near the wrong one, you could find yourself trudging through crowds and barriers while the clock ticks down. Some of the smaller pens, including a few used by sub-3 hopefuls, are tucked away and easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

3. Arrive at least 90 minutes before your start time
It sounds early, and it is. But everything takes longer when you’re surrounded by tens of thousands of other people. Bag drop, toilet queues, finding your pen – none of these are quick. Better to be sitting comfortably in your pen than nervously jogging over with minutes to spare.

4. Don’t assume your phone will work
Reception often collapses under the sheer weight of people. If you want to post a pen selfie or reply to good luck messages, do it before you arrive. Once you’re in the starting area, you may not be able to send or receive anything until well after the race.

5. Queue for the toilets early
London does a better job than most races at providing enough loos, but not every pen is equally served, and queues can snake out fast. If you’re still in line when they call your wave forward, that’s a stress you don’t need.

6. Bring a folding tripod stool
Game-changer. For a tenner or less online, you get to sit in comfort while others are perching on bin bags or awkwardly shifting their weight for over an hour. A small stool fits in the official clear kit bag, weighs next to nothing and buys you calm and composure.

7. Take a warm drink in a flask
No drinks are provided in the pens, and it can be surprisingly cold up on Blackheath even on a warm forecast day. A mug of tea or coffee in a robust flask gives you warmth, routine and something to do with your hands. It’s strangely reassuring.

8. Don’t burn energy showboating
You’ll see plenty of runners doing laps of the field, trying to look sharp or burn off nerves. A short jog to loosen the legs is fine but this isn’t the time to prove anything. You’ll be on your feet for the next three hours. Stay calm. Stay still.

9. Drop your bag early
Bag drop lorries are well managed but they’re not always close to your pen and the queues can swell fast once the first waves are called. If you leave it too late, you risk a frantic rush and unnecessary stress. Check it in early and forget about it.

10. Dress in layers you can discard
Even on a warm day, the wait at the start can get cold. Old jumpers, hoodies, gloves – anything you’re happy to ditch once you start moving. The London Marathon works with the Salvation Army to collect and repurpose discarded clothing. So you’ll stay warm and your cast-offs will go to a good cause. Just don’t fling your jumper into someone’s face when the pen starts shuffling forward.

Final thought
Race-day morning at London is part of the experience – a strange mix of nerves, excitement and standing around in your running gear feeling slightly surreal. But with a bit of planning, you can enjoy it. Keep your head, keep your hands warm and trust your training. Whether you’re chasing a sub-3 or just aiming to finish, it all starts here.