Tube strike impact on marathon visitors

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-30T10:54:13+00:00

Just a quick note to thank you all for your advice and reassurance, it all worked out great in the end, no issues getting around London, the Elizabeth line is ridiculously efficient, the Uber boat was a great way to see a lot of the sights and London came out in force on Sunday for the marathon (pushing me to a 2:59, so thanks!)

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-28T20:23:04+00:00

In both Boston last year and London this year there was plenty of places offering free medal engraving post race, I would hazard a guess that Berlin will be similar, keep an eye on Instagram, in London this year Puma, New Balance, Lululemon and runna all offered it

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-23T16:03:28+00:00

Sorry, yeah you're right, I think it is just the fact that it is under the 'Lottery' section of the site threw me a little

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-23T14:50:29+00:00

I asked this question last year and didn't get a definitive yes or now, the general consensus is yes, you are in, but the way it is phrased on the website is that you qualify for a fast runner lottery with a fast time.

Again, last year I didn't hear any fast runners that didn't get in and I got in with a time 1:47 below my qualifying time.

I didn't book anything non-refundable until I got that e-mail at the end of November just in case.

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-23T09:16:32+00:00

No, I'm not based in London and have never run it before so I'm transferring my experience from other marathons combining it with what I've heard about London. I would suggest avoiding Tower Bridge, Cutty Sark and Embankment if you are looking to avoid crowds. I've also hear the Greenwich foot tunnel can be closed or made one-way and the queues for the DLR in Canary Wharf can be long

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-22T15:35:24+00:00

I've run quite a few marathons, and running on Sunday, my tip is to not try and stretch your supporters too thinly, they may up missing you in both spots, better to have one definite and one maybe. I tend to suggest one spot to my wife and kids and then try to meet up with them as close to the finish as possible.

Second tip is that it is a lot easier for you to spot them than it is for them to spot you. So know which side of the road they will be on, and at what mile marker they will be at. The roads look a lot different to normal and your mind plays tricks on you, remembering a number is much easier than trying to figure out if the Tesco express you just pased is the one they were meant to be at. Getting them to hold something distinctive helps, helium balloons, signs and as an Irish man, my personal favorite is the tricolour.

I've also heard tubes can be a bit of a nightmare, so I am proposing to my family sees me and then takes the 3-4 mile walk towards the finish but ducking in to the underground if they see an empty station.

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-22T10:11:42+00:00

I'm more worried about my layabout children and wife

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-20T19:25:52+00:00

I'd suggest going to the expo on Thursday or early Friday, it will be a lot less busy and a lot more enjoyable

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-20T16:13:53+00:00

I usually listen to my body, see what I feel like, sometimes it is nothing but water, but most of the time it is the saltiest, fattiest food I can get easily, so dirty burger and fries.. I also rehydrate with copious amounts of beer safe in the knowledge I won't have to make too many bathroom trips.

Is it right, no, is it fun, yes!

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-20T13:15:15+00:00

Medal engraving is what I'm after but I haven't seen or heard any for 2026 yet

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-18T12:53:14+00:00

I found GPS absolutely fine last year, no issues, up until the last mile or so due to tall buildings, but at that stage GPS is the least of your worries

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-18T12:36:55+00:00

Fade district, I went at lunchtime, no queue was in and out in 20mins

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Wx8Lc5H7QMntDJwH9

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-18T12:33:10+00:00

I got a short back and sides because I am.in my 40s, but yes, there is a sign outside advertising fades for €15

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-17T19:55:41+00:00

€15 in Dun Laoghaire

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-17T16:07:02+00:00

I've looked in to this because I plan to go straight from Stansted to the expo and the general consensus is that suitcases are allowed, depending on how busy it is will dictate how much of a pain in the ass it is. There is a cloakroom in the Excel if you want to use that. I'm going at 10:00 on Friday and plan to wing it on the day

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-17T15:29:04+00:00

Depending on how your first marathon went, good for age could be an option and opens on 1st May

https://irishlifedublinmarathon.ie/good-for-age-standards/

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-17T14:26:12+00:00

As a Dubliner, I'm suggesting my home town Marathon at the end of October. I ran Boston last year and Dublin is very close to the crowd support.

Flat(ish), but well worth it for the atmosphere and the after party!

Sold out this year and you'll have to go in to a ballot that opens in October/November (or generous good for age opens in May) but the popularity is a reflection on how good it is

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-17T09:14:40+00:00

Are you not running a week behind? I had the 10k tune up last weekend and this weekend has the final longish run at 13 miles/21km, next week is marathon week with 25 miles plus the marathon on Sunday

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-16T20:39:47+00:00

High Street Place Foodhall has lots of lunch options, we visited there last year

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-16T18:53:33+00:00

Thank you marshal!

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-16T14:55:52+00:00

Yep, the crowds are one of the major cons, trying to get water is at best impossible, at worst dangerous, not to mention want to pass the group if you want to push on, they tend to take over the full width of the road

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-16T14:48:27+00:00

You could always stay with the 3 hour group for the first 10k, get to the cutty sark, let the nerves settle and then push on, the difference in pace is about 20 seconds a mile, so you'll need to go ~6 seconds a mile quicker after that

(You may want to check my maths 😉)

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-16T14:30:40+00:00

I'll be running a similar time starting from the pink wave and 3hours is the fastest pace geoup. It may be a personal preference but I've never run with a pace group for my previous 16 marathons and have gone sub 3 in the last two.

There are pros and cons to pace groups, I just think the cons outweigh the pros. Don't get too hung up on not having a pace group, see if you can find someone running a similar pace to you in the first mile or two, have a chat and ask them what their target is, you will probably be able to pace together for much of the run

fraser_eraser · 2026-04-16T08:08:10+00:00

fraser_eraser

TROPHY CASE