Weather is a bully. A hot day adds 10 minutes. A rainy day adds five. And if it’s perfect—cool and cloudy—everyone gets a personal best. London is famous for being unpredictable. One year, it’s a sauna. The next, it’s a monsoon. Mother Nature loves chaos.
Also, the course. It’s flat at the start. Then it hits you with a gentle rollercoaster in the middle. The final few miles along the Thames? That’s where dreams go to die. Or where you suddenly discover a second wind. Depends on the coffee you had.
The “First Half” vs. “Second Half” Trap
Everyone runs the first half too fast. It’s a universal truth. You feel like Superman. The crowd is cheering. The sun is out. Then mile 20 hits, and you’re a tortoise with a headache. The average time drops because of this carnage. The last 10k is where the average gets smashed.
London Marathon Average Timesand more!
So if you’re training, remember: the first half is a warm-up. The second half is the race. And the last 2 miles are pure theatre. You’ll either cry, laugh, or both. I cried. Don’t judge me.
