Of course, the runners are only half the story. The streets are lined with over 750,000 spectators. That’s more people than the population of Manchester. They’re the ones handing out orange slices like it’s a village fete, shouting “You’re nearly there!” at mile 3, which is a hilarious lie.
London Marathon 2026: How to track runners and check live results and
I once saw a woman pass out from cheering too hard. Not the runners—the spectator. That’s dedication. You’ll see grandads on deckchairs, toddlers with cowbells, and that one bloke with a sign that says, “Worst parade ever.” Everyone’s laughing, crying, or secretly thinking about the pub afterwards.
What About the Ones Who Don’t Finish?
Statistically, about 2% of starters don’t make it to the finish line. That’s roughly 1,000 people who get lost, bonk, or decide their toenails actually matter. And that’s okay! They join the elite club of “I tried, but the portaloos were too tempting.”
Honestly, the real winners are the ones who start. Because anyone who’s faced a carb-load dinner of spaghetti at 10pm knows the marathon is a mental health crisis disguised as fitness. Finishing is just the cherry on top of a very sore cake.
