April 16, 2024

The Ultimate London Marathon Weekend & Spectators Guide 2024

Your TCS London Marathon 2024 itinerary

London is bursting with must-visit hotspots all-year round, but the city really comes to life during marathon weekend. With the weather beginning to warm, gardens in full bloom and restaurants and bars alive with electric atmospheres, now’s prime time to explore the city at its finest. The team here at Let’s Do This have compiled the best places to eat, drink, be entertained – and of course, get prepped for the marathon itself.

Where to caffeinate

Need a morning pick-me-up? That spring in your step starts here.

WatchHouse, various locations. Sourced from around the world in line with the seasons and crafted in South London, WatchHouse brews up quality coffee from bean to cup.

Monmouth Coffee Company, various locations. Located in Covent Garden, The Borough and Bermondsey, Monmouth Coffee Company are champions of coffee roasting and retailing. Heads up: for takeaways, you’ll need your reusable cup.

Monmouth Coffee (Image cc @Monmouthcoffee on Instagram)

Best places to drink

Our top two pubs for pre-marathon gatherings and post-race toasts.

The Devonshire Pub, Denham Street. Perfect for a pre or post-race drink, particularly if you like Guinness – that’s what The Devonshire is famed for. Plus, if you’re feeling peckish, you’ll find homemade bar food from the in-house butcher and bakery and an upstairs restaurant and grill.

The Crabtree, Fulham. Retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city centre to soak up the picturesque sights of the River Thames. Nestled between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, The Crabtree is a family-friendly pub that’s notable for its iconic views. Revellers love the sun-soaked beer garden on good-weather days.

Crab Tree Pub in Fulham (Image cc @thecrabtreew6 on Instagram)

London’s hottest dining destinations

Worked up an appetite? You’re in the right place. London is home to a cultural melting pot of top cuisine. Perfect for a post-marathon celebratory meal.

KILN, Brewer Street. Think noodles and Thai-inspired dishes, cooked using wood-burning ovens and grills. Book seats in the basement for up to six people or, for walk-ins, keep an eye out for seats at the ground-floor counter to watch the chefs at work.

Berenjak Soho, Romilly Street. A dining experience with a difference. Immerse yourself into Iran’s rich cultural history at Berenjack. Inspired by the hole-in-the-wall eateries that line the streets of Tehran, expect Persian dishes, sharing plates and chargrilled kebabs.

Zephyr, Notting Hill. Enjoy casual dining, inspired by Grecian culture. The blend of delicious food and a late-night bar makes Zephyr a great venue for post-marathon debriefs and celebrations with friends.

Delicious eats at Kiln (Image cc @kilnsoho on Instagram)

Bakeries and delis

For lunch, a snack or a sugar-laden sweet treat, London’s little black book of bakeries always rises to the occasion.

Arôme Bakery, Mercer Street. One for the sugar-seekers. If you like the sights and smells of a traditional French patisserie, a trip to Arôme must make it onto your itinerary. Amidst the classic croissants and pain au chocolat, you’ll find Arôme’s signature offering: honey butter toast. Ooh la la!

Buns From Home, various locations. As the name suggests, these buns were originally made from home (during lockdown), and have since made it to Notting Hill, Sloan Square, Hammersmith and Victoria – to name just a few. This takeaway raises the game when it comes to croissants, buns, cakes and homemade bread.

Boxcar - The Baker and Deli, Wyndham Place. This bakery and deli welcomes everyone – including our furry friends. It’s the perfect pitstop for a sandwich, wrap or sweet treat.

Pain Au Chocolat at Boxcar (Image cc @boxcarbaker on Instagram)

Carb load in luxury

Whether you’re fuelling your run or carbing-up to be a supportive spectator, is it even TCS London Marathon weekend without pasta?

Bancone, various locations. With locations in Covent Garden (awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand 2020-2024), Soho and Borough Yards, Bancone’s pasta is freshly handmade, every day. Relax into the informal atmosphere as you enjoy award-winning pasta dishes. Chef’s kiss.

Lina Stores, various locations. The fresh pasta steals the spotlight at Lina Stores – an extension of the successful delicatessen. Also serving up antipasti, dolci and secondi, expect your carb-loading escapades to temporarily transport you to Italy before you’ve even made it to the TCS London Marathon.

Luci, Covent Garden. London’s first Italian dining bakery. Carb-loaders, head upstairs for the sit-down menu, which features fresh pasta and Italian classics. Bellissimo.

Bucatini Cacio e Pepe from Bancone (Image cc @bancone.pasta on Instagram)

What to do during TCS London Marathon weekend 2024

Soak up the marathon weekend atmosphere, without tiring yourself out before the big day.

Visit the LME Expo. Ready to get into the marathon mindset? Then head to the LME Expo. Here, you can pick up your bib, soak up the atmosphere, meet with fellow runners and check out the stalls of amazing brands who will all no doubt be keen to support you.

Explore London in bloom. From Hyde and Regent’s Park to Battersea and Greenwich, the TCS London Marathon always takes place against a backdrop of beautiful scenery. We love Hampton Court Palace’s Tulip Festival. Here, over 100,000 tulips will be bursting into bloom across 60 acres of richly-coloured royal gardens.

Enjoy a West End show. London’s West End is home to some of the best performances in the world. During TCS London Marathon weekend 2024, Sir Ian McKellan is starring in Player Kings at Noël Coward Theatre.

From your first coffee to that final celebratory meal, we hope our TCS London Marathon weekend itinerary helps to enhance your time in London. Whether you’re here to run the marathon, or to cheer from the sidelines as a spectator, you’re in for a memorable weekend. Enjoy!

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London Marathon Expo on From April 17th-20th (Image cc @londonmarathon on Instagram)

The Spectator's Guide to the TCS London Marathon 2024

On Sunday 21st April 2024, the UK capital will once again be playing host to the world-famous TCS London Marathon – an event that’s become a popular fixture in the sporting calendar since the inaugural race on 29th March 1981. We’ve covered the route to a perfect marathon weekend with places to eat and drink and what to do and see, here. For race day itself? Here’s some handy pointers for cheering your friends and loved ones on from the sidelines.

Where does the TCS London Marathon route start and finish?

The 26.2-mile TCS London Marathon route starts south of the River Thames at Blackheath, passes through Greenwich and crosses the river, over Tower Bridge. It continues through central London before runners cross the finish line in front of Buckingham Palace. So, where are the best places to enjoy the sights and soak up the atmosphere of this globally-celebrated event? It all depends on the kind of experience you’re after.

Popular TCS London Marathon viewing points

If you’re looking to enjoy the energetic TCS London Marathon atmosphere, one of the most popular places to stand is on the 1.5-mile stretch between Tower Bridge and Limehouse. Spectators love this viewing point for its two-in-one view of participants running east towards Canary Wharf, before looping around the Isle of Dogs and then heading west for the finish line. This gives you two chances to cheer for your runner, without moving places. The largest crowds tend to gather around Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and of course, at The Mall for the grand finale.

Where are the quieter places to watch the TCS London Marathon?

If you prefer a calmer viewing point, head south of the River Thames, to Woolwich. If you stand at around the three-mile mark, you’ll likely find that most other spectators at this stage of the race will be rushing to get to the popular landmarks like Cutty Sark, Tower Bridge and the London Eye. From Woolwich, you might like to head to Woolwich station on the Elizabeth line to Canary Wharf, which is around the midpoint of the race. Canary Wharf’s best viewing points are at South Colonnade, Cabot Square and Westferry Circus.

What are the best accessible viewing points for the TCS London Marathon?

There are plenty of accessible viewing points for marathon spectators with disabilities. These are:

Cutty Sark
Canary Wharf
Rainbow Row (usually known as Butcher Row)
Tower Hill
Victoria Embankment

Head to the TCS London Marathon page for more information, including the what-three-words addresses for these locations.

London Marathon Route 2024 (Image cc London Marathon)

Where’s the best place to view the TCS London Marathon finish line?

If you’re looking to support your runner as they make their way to the famous marathon finish line, hop on the Jubilee line westbound from Canary Wharf to Waterloo. Here, you can change to the Northbound Bakerloo line to Charing Cross. Then it’s just a short walk to view that all-important final stretch of the race.

10 TCS London Marathon tips for spectators

How to make the most of a marathon weekend as a spectator? Here’s our ten tips.

Map out your chosen route before the race. Get familiar with where you’re going. You don’t want to risk missing your runner whilst you’re trying to find your way around.
Stay close to the nearest tube station. This’ll make for a quicker transition to your next planned viewing point.
Avoid the bus. There tends to be lots of transport redirections on marathon day, due to road closures.
Don’t forget your camera. It’s a good idea to take camera, so you can use your phone to track your runner.
Take plenty of snacks and drinks in your backpack. The TCS London Marathon is always a long day.
Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be walking around a lot.
Pack plenty of layers. Being prepared for changing weather conditions is essential. Suncream, warm layers and waterproofs, always.
Agree how you’ll track your marathon runner beforehand. If you both download the Official TCS London Marathon Tracker App and your runner carries their phone with them during the marathon, you can track their precise location. Otherwise, you’re limited to monitoring when they pass one of nine timing gates.
Agree on where you’ll meet with your runner after the race. Of course, it goes without saying that the TCS London Marathon attracts a huge crowd, so be prepared for delays.
Make yourself easy to spot in the crowd. Wear bright colours. Use props. Take balloons with your initials on. Make a supportive sign. Anything goes here.

By planning ahead, you’ll set yourself up to enjoy the celebrated sights and atmosphere that the TCS London Marathon has to offer, as well as supporting your runner through what is likely to be one of the biggest, most challenging events of their lives.

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The Challenges Women Face in Running and How It Impacts Participation

Running is often lauded as one of the most accessible sports—just lace up your trainers and go. However, for many women, the barriers to participation go far beyond the logistical. While safety concerns are frequently highlighted, deeper systemic issues like access to the sport and unequal treatment are also preventing more women from running. It was a topic keenly discussed at our In Her Stride panel held at the end of November, with key members of the female running community including Sophie Power, Tasha Thompson, Rehana Mawani and Emily Shane.

Before we kick things off however, we should highlight that female participation in running events is growing, and this is a great thing! According to data from Let’s Do This, women in their 20s are the fastest-growing demographic in event participation this year. However despite this, women are still 16% less likely to run every week compared to men. This disparity is particularly striking given that women report higher levels of personal benefits from running, such as improved fitness, better sleep, and reduced stress.

The reasons for this are complex and personal, however we have broken down three key challenges discussed during our panel and the solutions explored that could help address them.

1. The Pressure of Pace

One of the biggest hurdles for many women is the pressure to run faster. Despite the average UK woman’s running speed of 06:37 min/km (according to Strava), most run clubs don’t cater to this with the slowest pace often around 6 minutes per km. Add to this the relentless focus on personal bests and fast times on social media, and it’s no surprise that many women feel too intimidated to join in.

Thankfully, there are starting to be more people rebelling against this speed obsession, including our panelist, Emily Shane. Emily has been leading the charge to encourage more women to disregard pace and focus on the experience of running to drive uptake amongst women. Initiatives like events without cutoff times and more inclusive pace groups at running clubs are vital to creating a more welcoming environment and broadening the benefits of running to the experience and community.

2. Perception of Sport in Schools

One of the topics hotly discussed was how for many girls, the barriers to enjoying physical activity start at school. Puberty, coupled with changing bodies and fluctuating emotions, can make sports feel daunting and uncomfortable for teenage girls. Research highlights this disparity: only 38% of girls enjoy sport and exercise compared to 53% of boys, and just 26% of girls feel confident in physical activity versus 43% of boys.

The panel emphasised the need to address this such as:

Introducing a wider variety of sports and fitness activities to cater to different interests
Providing more supportive and confidence-boosting PE kits.
Showcasing more female role models in sport to inspire young girls.

By addressing these issues at the school level, we can foster a love of sport that lasts into adulthood.

3. Treatment at Events

This is a topic that panelist Sophie Power, founder of SheRACES is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about. Even at organised running events, women often experience unequal treatment. From “unisex: t-shirts (which are actually designed for men) to a lack of sanitary products in portaloos, these "small things" can collectively make women feel like an afterthought. Prize money inequality and rigid event policies—like no deferral options for pregnant or postpartum women—further highlight these disparities.

Thankfully, initiatives like the 50:50 campaign by Threshold (a campaign to get 50% of women at Ultra startlines vs. the current average of 30%) and the advocacy work of SheRACES are driving change, and there are many amazing event organisers such as Maverick, Threshold, Why We Run and many more, that are working hard to make their events are inclusive as possible for women.

Despite these challenges, the panel and attendees felt overwhelmingly optimistic about the future of running for women and the benefits it brings us. Progress is being made, however we all need to add our voices to the conversation to help more women get into the sport and reap the benefits.

Some Helpful Resources‍

Here are a few helpful resources. This list isn’t exhaustive by any means, however is a good starting point for those looking for inspiration on where to start.

Female friendly events:

Female Only Run Clubs

From Radio to Race Day: Hattie Pearson’s Path to Endurance Event Glory

Hattie Pearson is the type of person who doesn’t just dabble in fitness (or most things…!) She dives in headfirst, often with no hand-holding (except, perhaps, metaphorically). From her first triathlon in 2021 to a series of jaw-dropping endurance feats in 2024, she’s been redefining what’s possible with determination, community, and a big ‘YES’ attitude.

Just say YES

Hattie’s ‘yes’ streak started when a friend and her decided to do a sprint triathlon together. “We had such a great time,” Hattie recalls, “and I was like, I want to do more of this.” That spark quickly turned into a blaze of ambition. By the following year, she was competing in Outlaw triathlons and even signing up for a full-distance Ironman—before completing her first half-distance event. “I didn’t give myself the choice to not carry on,” she says.

The Power of Community

For Hattie, discovering the 10IronWomen network—a group committed to gender parity in triathlons—was a game-changer. “It’s amazing to see a community encouraging women and non-binary folk to show up,” she explains. “Seeing others doing it made me think, I want to be a part of this.” That sense of solidarity and shared purpose has been a recurring theme, whether she’s lacing up for a winter triathlon in the Alps or a grueling ultra-marathon closer to home.

A Year of Big Goals

This year, Hattie set herself a dizzying list of challenges. She swam 500 kilometers (yep, that’s half a million meters!) and tackled a range of events, including a winter triathlon complete with ski touring, the Étape du Tour cycling challenge, and her first ultra-marathon. Each was hard in its own way—whether it was battling snowy trails with crampons or smashing out seven-and-a-half-minute miles for 13.1 miles. But for Hattie, the difficulty is the point. “Every time I achieve something I thought was impossible, I remind myself: I can do hard things.”

Balance and Burnout

With goals that ambitious, fitting it all in can be a challenge. Early mornings help. “I’m one of those people who can get up at 5:00 a.m,” Hattie admits, however it also takes a lot of discipline. With her work on Hits Radio starting later in the day, she carves out time for training, dog walks, and the occasional tantrum over broken goggles. “I’ve definitely had those ‘forgetting-my-swimming-costume’ moments,” she laughs. But her key to staying motivated is simple: keep it fresh and fun. Whether it’s joining her triathlon club for training or trying a completely new event, keeping it fun and different is the secret to staying motivated and on track to reach your goals.

Advice for Aspiring Endurance Athletes

For anyone looking to follow in her footsteps (or strokes), Hattie has this advice:

Be patient. Results don’t come overnight, and the journey is as important as the destination.
Stop comparing. “Your journey is completely your own. Social media only shows the highlights,” she reminds us.
Find your community. Whether it’s a running club, a neighbor for early morning jogs, or an online network, accountability and camaraderie make all the difference.

What’s Next for Hattie?

In 2025, Hattie plans to tackle her first multi-day event, the Monster Triathlon. Admittedly it is as scary as it sounds, kicking off with a 5K swim in Loch Ness, followed by a 1,000-kilometer bike ride to Windsor, and wraps up with a casual 50K run to London(!). Her goals also include more open-water swimming, trail running, and maybe—just maybe—an even bigger endurance challenge. (Though definitely not swimming the English Channel: “No way am I swimming through jellyfish without a wetsuit!”)

Hattie Pearson’s journey is more than a personal triumph. It’s a testament to the power of showing up, saying yes, and proving that with the right mindset, anything is possible. Whether you’re tackling your first 5K or dreaming of an ultra-marathon, Hattie’s story is proof that the finish line is worth the hard miles. And when you cross it? You’ve won your race—medal or not. 🏅

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Make your own electrolyte drink

Why spend on expensive sports drinks when you can make a natural, hydrating electrolyte drink right at home? With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a refreshing blend packed with essential minerals and hydration-boosting properties. Perfect for fueling your workout or post-run recovery, this homemade option keeps it natural, affordable, and effective.

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Ingredients:

1 pinch of high-quality sea salt
Small piece of fresh ginger, peeled
500ml coconut water (e.g., Rebel Kitchen)
Juice of 1 lime
Fresh mint leaves

Instructions:

Prepare Salt & Ginger: Add a pinch of sea salt and the peeled ginger to a blender.
Add Coconut Water & Lime: Pour in the coconut water, squeeze in the lime juice, and add a few mint leaves.
Blend & Serve: Blend until smooth, pour into a glass, and garnish with extra mint. Enjoy your refreshing, hydrating drink!

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