Last year a group of amazing people joined Team Barnardo’s and ran the London Marathon to raise money to help us change childhoods and change lives across the UK.
Now, eleven months on, with the blisters healed and the achy legs a distant memory, we’ve gone back to those finishers to ask them: what do you wish you’d known at this point last year?
From coping with tapering nerves to navigating race-day logistics here’s their honest, practical advice to help you feel prepared, confident, and ready for the big day.
Don’t panic and try to try squeeze in extra runs
Last year’s runners all said the same thing: in the final month, don’t try to squeeze in too much training. They emphasised how normal it is to doubt yourself at this stage and worry you haven’t done enough.
Stick to your taper and don’t listen to that voice in your head telling you that you haven’t done enough. If you’ve followed your training plan, you’re ready - and you’re going to have an amazing day.
Lucy
Team Barnardo's member and London Marathon finisher.
Last year I felt like I needed to squeeze in as many runs as possible before race day, but overtraining can be risky. Looking back, the most important thing would be sticking to the training plan and making sure my body was properly rested so I could avoid injuries and arrive at the start line feeling fresh.
Anthony
Team Barnardo's member and London Marathon finisher.
I’d focus on consistency, sleep, fuelling properly and protecting my confidence. Perfection doesn’t get you to the start line. Commitment does.
Jo
Team Barnardo's member and London Marathon finisher.
Paul highlighted that once your final long run is finished, the work is effectively done. “Two long runs, don’t worry about times, and remember once the last long run is done, you are ready! The hard work has been done, now start enjoying it. [When you do the] the little runs you will be amazed on how strong, fit, quick you are.”
When you’ve been used to doing long runs as part of your training it can be hard when you stop - taper restlessness is a real thing. Steve B said, “On the advice of Running With Us, I forewarned my family and friends about the impact of tapering! I was climbing the walls and a nightmare. All I wanted to do was get out and run – who was that person?!”
He also adds a small but important piece of advice that came straight Baroness Floella Benjamin DBE: “Don’t start your carb load too early!”.
Paul met Baroness Floella at our London Marathon training day which we offer to help Team Barnardo's build their confidence, share experiences and focus on their preparation. We’re delighted to say that our Vice President Baroness Floella Benjamin and Event Ambassador Daley Thompson CBE also came along to support our runners and share top tips. We also partner with endurance experts, Running With Us, who support Team Barnardo’s members to train effectively for their challenge.
Planning for the day
One thing you can do is to nail your logistics and plans for the day – focusing on what you can control might help you if you’re feeling anxious. “Stop worrying about the 'what if’s' and things you can’t control. What will be will be,” said Jake.
What worried me most was logistics, where to be, when to be there. In truth, the event is so well put together I needn’t have worried at all. The Expo was busy but straightforward. Transport to the start was simple and once there you can’t go wrong.
Steve B
part of the team at Co‑Op, one of our corporate partners. Team Barnardo's member and London Marathon finisher.
Getting to the start line
Several runners mentioned how trains run slower on marathon morning because of time it takes to get people off and onto platforms. They also said that there can be a lot of waiting at the start so be prepared to be hanging around for some time.
Plan that pre-run toilet stop carefully
You’ll probably encounter a lot of toilet related advice, but we’ll just mention two things: bring some loo roll and toilet queues at the start are long so, if you can, go before you get there. But if you do need to wait, make the most of it says Steve S. “If you are in the queue for the loo and on your own, chat to the person next to you. You’ll be there a while. A good chance to take your mind off what’s coming, pick up some hints and maybe make a new friend (or at least someone else to give you Strava kudos!).”
Bring plenty of drinks and snacks for before and during your run
Steve S also advises to make sure you've got sufficient fuel to get you off to a good start. “Don’t forget on the day you will be standing around for a while, take plenty of drinks and snacks to make sure you are fuelled for the start.”
“I wish I’d listened to the advice about bringing extra energy gels. By the time you get to around the 30km mark, you really start to feel it and having an extra gel or two can give you the boost you need to keep going. It’s always better to have more than you think you’ll need," said Lucy.
Prepare for all possible weathers
“It’s common to discard clothes before the race […] keep an old hoodie/t-shirt/pair of running shoes and wear them to the event. Then when it’s go time, you are in fresh gear,” said Steve S.
[I wish I’d known] that the London sun and heat is a killer! Being from Northeast Scotland I really didn't prepare for these elements!
Becky
Team Manager for a Barnardo's residential service, Team Barnardo's member and London Marathon finisher.
Steve B also recommends having some warm dry clothes waiting for you at the finish line. “It was very warm last year but April could equally be cold and wet.” Knowing you’ve got a change of clothes – and shoes – at the finish line could make all the difference.
Think about what you’ll do post-run
If you’re planning to meet people afterwards, be aware that road closures coupled with poor mobile signal might make it difficult to get together. “The biggest challenge on race day turned out to be meeting my family after the event! My wife had my post-race bag, as well including my recovery food, hydration and most importantly my comfortable shoes. Make sure you know how to get to your meeting place and consider the closures and one-way systems that might hinder you,” advises Steve B.
At the start line, remember your why
One month out, it’s natural to feel a mix of excitement and nerves, but as last year’s runners show, you’re far more ready than you think. Trust your training, focus on what you can control, and remember why you signed up in the first place.
Becky is a Team Manager at one of our services in Aberdeen. She chose to run the London Marathon to mark working at Barnardo’s for ten years and became one of our highest fundraisers in 2025. Her advice is to remember why you committed to the challenge. “Remember why/who you are doing this for. It is your race, no one else's. The winners of the marathon get the same medal as you.”
If you’re part of Team Barnardo’s when you reach that start line, you won’t just be running 26.2 miles, you’ll be making a real difference for children and young people across the UK. Take it all in, enjoy every moment, and remember we’re all cheering you on.
Impressed by what our 2025 London Marathon runners achieved? If you're not running, you can still be part of the day by helping power the class of 2026 all the way to the finish line. Your support keeps spirits high and legs moving when the miles get tough.
Sponsor our 2026 runners today.
Advice from the start line
There’s a reason so many people want to run the London Marathon: it’s because of the electric atmosphere and the enormous sense of achievement. If you’re running this year, we want you to have the best experience possible, so we asked the amazing members of Team Barnardo’s who ran it last year for their advice on making the most of the day.
Up for a fundraising challenge?
Do you want to change someone’s childhood while having fun and raising money? Whether you want to run, walk, bake, skydive or something else, choose from a range of activities or plan your own with the help of our fundraising resources.
Want to give us a helping hand?
If you can't make the London Marathon but are interested in volunteering - we've got loads of other options! You might have considered a role in one of our shops, but there are lots of other ways you can volunteer and help change childhoods and change lives.