Spectating the TCS London Marathon 2023

The weekend kicked off leading a shakeout run from The Westin London City (I host monthly run clubs on the first Thurs of every month at 7am – sign up here!) for hotel guests including a group of journalists from the US. I honestly think our 5K route is one of the best sightseeing runs in London! We run past St Pauls over Millennium Bridge. Past The Globe and the Shard, and up over Tower Bridge, past the Tower of London back to the hotel.

Spectating the TCS London Marathon 2023

Following our run we were treated to a stretch class from Bala. You can borrow any of the Bala bands and blocks in your rooms at Westin hotels. Plus Hyperice massage guns – ideal if you’re travelling for a race!

We took the journalists to St James Park to catch the Mini Marathon and see the finish area ahead of marathon day. And chatted about the course, race day logistics and London in general.

There seemed to be even more happening in London this weekend celebrating the marathon, with numerous shake out runs, in-store events, panels/talks and activations. I stopped by the ON store to make a sign for my friends to hold. And bought some Percy Pigs & Colin the Caterpillars to share with the US runners. I tried to make it up to Tracksmith but was stopped by the rain (no umbrella!)

I carb loaded like a champ at the Westin pasta dinner before getting an early night. Spectating is *almost* as exhausting as running!

This was my first weekend away from Bertie. But sadly my body clock didn’t get the memo and I was awake at 6am. I enjoyed a cup of tea in bed while listening to a podcast to start the day before Liz came to my room to have her braids done. Then I grabbed some fruit & coffee at breakfast then walked the journalists to London Bridge on their way to the marathon start line at Blackheath. I ran back across Tower Bridge and along the marathon course with James & Chris from the Westin team back to the hotel.

Westin has partnered with Abbott World Marathon Majors and had created a Marathon Zone with sign making, pompoms and t-shirts.

It was so fun to be part of the cheer squad outside the hotel. Obviously sporting our Westin yellow – they were giving out cute t-shirts and long sleeved running tops with the Marathon Majors printed on the back. If you are earning your Six Star in the next few years, keep your eyes peeled for fun events & swag.

I’d also been invited by TCS to the marathon finish line hospitality which was something I couldn’t turn down! I had the best view down The Mall watching Sifan Hassan win her first marathon and Kevin Kiptum run a new course record. And most excitingly, met the GOAT Eliud Kipchoge! I actually spotted my friend Robbie (who works for London Marathon) first and nearly launched in for a hug before I saw who he was standing next to!

Cheering for the marathon is one of my favourite things to do.

Celebrating with those that are having a great day, encouraging those that have hit a tough spot, and commiserating with runners that haven’t hit their goal. I loved getting a front row seat down the finish stretch, watching people run PBs, complete their first 26.2, run it in together and celebrate the hundreds of miles that it took to get to the finish line.

My friend Cortney and I hopped back and forth from the finish line and Mile 23.5 outside The Westin London City. I caught most of my friends running at one of the locations – love these pics of the moment Bethan ran past the hotel.

This weekend inspired me to sign up for another marathon – anyone else? Are you entering the ballot for next year’s TCS London Marathon?