Race Day at the London Marathon is one of the most exciting — and sometimes overwhelming — experiences you will ever have.
With over 50,000 runners and millions of spectators lining the streets, it’s an atmosphere like no other… but knowing what to expect can make all the difference.
Here’s our complete guide to help you feel calm, prepared, and ready to take it all in.
Our #1 Tip: Do the Marathon Course Tour
If there’s one thing we recommend to every runner — it’s this.
Attend the Adventure Time Travel Marathon Course Tour in the lead-up to race day.
This experience is invaluable.
On the tour, we take you along parts of the course so you can:
- See key sections of the route ahead of time
- Hear insights and tips from expert local guides
- Understand exactly how race day will flow
We also stop at Grind Café — the exact location we use on race morning — and walk you up to the start area.
Here, you’ll see how the different start waves operate:
- Red
- Green
- Blue
- Pink
Understanding this before race day dramatically reduces anxiety and helps you feel in control.
As an added bonus, the tour includes transport to and from the Expo, where you’ll collect your race bib.
Race Morning: What to Expect
Breakfast at the Hotel (from 5:30am)
Start your day with a solid breakfast at the Novotel London Waterloo, which offers a wide selection of runner-friendly options:
- Toast and pancakes
- Cereal and yoghurt
- Fruit and juices
- Plenty of carbohydrates to fuel your run
The hotel also provides a takeaway pack including:
- Water
- Muesli bar
- Banana
Perfect for the journey to the start.
Coach Departure (6:20am sharp)
Our private coaches depart at 6:20am to ensure we arrive at Greenwich before the road closures at 7:00am.
Grind Café – Your Calm Before the Storm
The coaches drop us at Grind Café, which becomes our private pre-race hub.
Here you can:
- Stay warm and relaxed
- Stretch out
- Enjoy tea, coffee, pastries, and fruit
- Use clean, accessible toilets (a huge bonus on race day!)
This calm environment is something our runners absolutely love.
Start Waves Explained
Before race day, we ensure you know who else is in your wave so you can connect and head to the start together.
Important Tips:
- If you want to run with family or friends, we recommend selecting the Green Wave when given the option
- This is the only wave you can choose (environmentally friendly start group)
Wave Rules:
- You cannot change your wave colour
- You can move backwards within your wave
- You cannot move forward
If you are in different coloured waves, you cannot start together (no exceptions)
When to Leave Grind Café
Timing is everything — but we’ve got it covered.
We recommend:
- Red Wave: Leave 1 hour before your start time
- Blue, Green, Pink Waves: Leave 1 hour 15 minutes before your start time
This allows time to:
- Walk to your start area
- Use the toilets
- Drop your bag
- Settle into your corral
Walking times:
- Red Wave: ~15 minutes
- Other Waves: ~25 minutes
Once you’re in your wave, navigation is very straightforward — signage is excellent and there are plenty of volunteers to guide you.
Final Start Line Tips
- Wear warm, throwaway clothing to the start
- These can be discarded at the start line and are donated to charity
And Then… It Begins
At around the 4–5km mark, all start waves merge — and from there, you are part of one incredible stream of runners moving through London.
And then…
The crowds.
Millions of spectators.
Non-stop noise.
Energy like nothing you’ve experienced before.
For 42.2km, you will be cheered, supported, and lifted through the streets of one of the greatest cities in the world.
It is loud.
It is emotional.
It is unforgettable.
Final Thoughts
The London Marathon is more than just a race — it’s an experience.
And with the right preparation, it becomes something you can truly enjoy from start to finish.
At Adventure Time Travel, our goal is simple:
Remove the stress, so you can focus on the run.
If you’re joining us next year… you’re in for something very special.
