LONDON MARATHON 2026
By Eleanor Johnston
Like thousands of other people, I entered the London public ballot in May 2025, to promptly be rejected and somewhat disappointed. Then, when speaking to Anna at club, she mentioned the Good for Age entry and that I would qualify with my time from the Sunset Running Festival Marathon in July 2025. So, when that ballot came out in October 2025, I entered and to my delight (and slight fear), I was accepted and was going into the New year with a new training plan from Alan and gearing myself to run my first world major.
Race day approached fast and despite the months of training, this was the most nervous I had ever felt for a race. Despite family and friends telling me just to go out and enjoy it, it was clear they were all more excited to watch the race than I was to run it. From an early start, travelling alone to the starting pens and sitting in a field for an hour or so, didn’t really help with my nerves. But like Alan had said to me the night before… this was a run and it won’t beat me. That and I also paid and ‘wanted’ to be here.
So, when the race began, I tried to do just that. I got caught up with the crowd and ran faster than I should have (sorry Alan!) but tried to look around and really take it all in. I couldn’t get over the amount of people that was out cheering us on right from the start, the music, the bands, the thousands of strangers coming out to see other strangers running. It was immense. And very hot.
As we ran around Cutty Sark, the crowds just seemed to get bigger and louder, and I started feeling slightly overwhelmed by it all. Although I completely missed seeing Cutty Sark, the crowds kept me going. I would say, the first moment I really thought “wow, I’m running the London Marathon” was when I saw Sabastian Sawe on the part we doubled back and he looked so effortless and cool as he ran. At that point, I began to channel my sister, Emily, and cheered for all the elites as they ran past, which boosted me up.
Running along Tower Bridge was an experience I will never forget. The atmosphere, the crowds and having that opportunity felt insane and again, slightly overwhelming. But I took it all in and smiled and cheered. I will say though, that the couple of tunnels we ran through, was also a highlight for me for a very different reason – the calm, shade, quiet and peace of just hearing thousands of other runners’ feet hitting the floor was much needed in amongst the rest of the noisy and crowded day.
Mile 14 was the next big moment for me, as that’s where my family were standing. Decked out with cowbells, signs and shouting my name until I turned and saw them gave me such a boost. I got to see them a further 2 times during the race as they darted on to find me at the next point we had agreed. It was such a boost seeing them and made me pick up my legs and run a bit faster, even as the weather was getting hotter.
The next highlight for me was passing Daddy Pig in the same place I had passed Sabastian Sawe and knew my niece would love that I had seen him running. That, and that there were (false) rumours it was Harry Styles dress up as Daddy Pig.
I messed up my fuelling quite badly, which I amount to having ‘runners’ brain’ during the race and didn’t fuel like I had planned, or how I should. I’m surprised my legs managed to get me through the run considering how little fuel I had. My right leg started feeling a bit niggly around mile 20, but I kept telling myself to dig deep and it was only a 10K left. The second half of the marathon, my pace dropped quite a bit, but I managed to stay in a region I felt comfortable with and that I could sustain. I took every opportunity to run through hoses, to take water and to high-five anyone with their arms out.
Running down Victoria Embankment took an age, it felt like it went on forever. Then at mile 24, as I went to grab some water from the water station, Mo Farrah handed it to me and said ‘well done to me’ - that is something I won’t ever forget, and was such a surprise and boost! Then, as soon as I saw Big Ben, I knew I was so close to the end. Turning onto the Mall and running down that was also something I’ll never forget. Knowing, that a few hours before me, some of the best runners had done the same as me and that a world record had been broken, was all the boost I needed to get myself over the finish line. I managed to finish in 3 hours 28 minutes, which I was pleased with considering the weather and my lack of fueling!
I am so proud that I completed London Marathon and represented our club at such an iconic race. Although when I crossed the finish line, the first thing I said to my family was “I’m never doing the London Marathon again”… but once I had my full fat coke down me, my crocs on and was wearing my Marathon jacket and had the medal on, I knew I would be back running the London Marathon (hopefully!) soon!