Conquer the London Marathon 2026

Hi Reader,

You have put in the work, logged the long weekend miles, and prepared your mind and body. The groundwork is done. Now it is all about arriving fresh, staying calm, and stepping up to the start line ready to shine.

As we look toward Sunday, I want to share a few key strategies to help you manage your pace and run your best race on the streets of London.

Pacing your race

Wouldn't it be great if we could all have personal pacers for the first 30km? Unless you have a very fast friend running with you, you have two main options: follow the official pace teams or run to your own watch.

If you want someone to take responsibility for keeping you steady, keep sight of the pace makers in your starting wave. Just be aware that following them can create pinch points in narrower sections of the route, as large groups stick together.

If you are pacing yourself, work out an even pace for your target finish time. A quick tip: use the official mile markers to check your pace. Relying solely on your GPS can be tricky, as weaving through the crowds means you will most likely run closer to 26.5 miles by the time you cross the finish line.

Navigating the first half

The first three miles from the start down Shooters Hill are overall downhill. Subject to getting an easy passage through the throng of runners, you may easily find yourself running faster than your planned even pace.

Check your watch when you get to Woolwich at mile 3. Take a breath and deliberately settle back into your predicted pace along the flat section toward Greenwich. You might lose a little time navigating the tight turns at Cutty Sark, but do not panic. The next stretch through Southwark to Tower Bridge is flat, giving you plenty of time to get back on track.

Tackling the tough miles

After crossing Tower Bridge, the route heads away from Westminster and into Canary Wharf. This section can be mentally demanding. You will run through Millwall, which is relatively quiet, right around the time that fatigue starts to set in. Keep your focus here. Once you loop back into Canary Wharf, the crowds become incredibly deep, and their energy will lift your spirits exactly when you need it.

The final push to Westminster

When you hit the 20-mile mark, you are finally heading back toward Westminster. If you were conservative at the start and did not overcook your early miles, now is the time to gradually lift your pace.

Start to visualise the finish line. Get your pacing right, and this is where your personal best will come from. The roar of the London crowds will be your secret weapon, pushing you all the way down The Mall.

Good luck to all of you running this Sunday.
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Trust your training, soak in the amazing atmosphere, and believe in yourself. I look forward to another brilliant day out on the course supporting you all.

Your best run is still ahead!

Mike Gratton (Head Coach, Coach the Run) & the team.

p.s. Read my latest Ask the Coach blog:

​I keep fading badly after mile 18 – is this a pacing issue or a fitness issue?​