MY MARATHON RACE DAY ROUTINE (from start to finish)

Race day can be quite overwhelming and nerve-wracking but here is my simple step by step guide to everything that you can expect to happen on the day! This is my full race day schedule from beginning to end.

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⏰ Timecodes ⏰
0:00 Intro
0:25 2-3 hours before race start
2:32 1-2 hours before race start
3:01 1 hour to go
4:12 30 minutes to go
5:34 5 minutes to go
5:55 Start
6:35 30 Minutes into the race
7:31 Half way
8:18 Final 6 miles
9:27 Finish line
10:16 Later that day

About this video: Welcome to our step by step guide to marathon day! We chat about everything that happens on race day from the time your alarm goes off in the morning all the way through until you go to bed again at night. We'll cover when to have your breakfast, travelling to the start line, race day strategies, mental tricks for when it gets tough, kit essentials, how to handle race day nerves, plus nutrition tips and generally what to expect throughout the day so whether you're running your first marathon or your 50th, you can keep stress to a minimum and concentrate on having a successful run!

This video is NOT sponsored. All products mentioned have been bought 100% by Ben and the channel. Our mission here is to help runners of all abilities improve and enjoy running to their full potential. Showcasing the best running tips and advice, while reviewing the latest gear and taking your round some of the best races in the world!

[SantaCruzRunner]

My schedule is: wake up go to the bathroom, have coffee, go to the bathroom, once at race start go to the bathroom, just before entering corral go to the bathroom. Finally fingers crossed I don't have to wait in line during the first 5k for a port-a-potty.

[ps]

7:25 Guy in the red vest really needs to practice picking up cups 😂

[JogOnGeorge]

It's taken me seven marathons to finally nail everything. Had some disastrous races in the past, but learned a lot. Smashed a PB in Paris last Sunday, got horrendous cramp at mile 23 but managed to plough on for 3hrs 6mins, really happy. 😊💪 gonna try sub-3 in Valencia 🤞

[brettcoleman]

Running my first ever marathon on Sunday in manchester so this has come right on time. Aiming for sub 4 but overall just feel happy to have had this opportunity and raised some money for charity.

[Feanaro]

I'm doing my third ever half marathon on Sunday with a goal time of 1:50. The course has GU gels at the 8 mile mark so I won't carry any of my own. My first two halfs were in 2018 and 2019 and since I didn't know any better back then, I didn't take on any fuel during them, only water. The best part of this race is that my hotel in Rehoboth, DE is right by the start line.

[jamesmay]

I do a bit of prep the night before (number on vest, gels packed, make sure I’ve got everything easily to hand in the morning, check train times the start, make sure everything is charged up).

[lenkaontherun]

I only ran a half-marathon recently, but OMG I slept terribly afterwards for a few days. Good to know I'm not alone! It was my first, so my body was probably like "wtf was all that about". I wasn't as sore as I expected, but the bad sleep and feeling exhausted surprised me.

[JamesSmith-izpl]

Thanks Ben. I think I would add: Be prepared for no everything to go exactly as planned. The longer the race the higher this probability. I've been running 10ks to 100ks for 30 years and I'm still learning.

[timtrenholm]

Immodium is now part of all my key long runs and half/full marathons. Since my last marathon a bathroom break cost me a BQ, but I would have got cut anyways (which I knew at the time). Never again will I hopefully ever need to take a bathroom break on one of my 1-3 key races for the year.

[jeanines_channel]

Good luck, Ben! I hope everyone has a safe run. ❤🎉

[dorothygraham]

Morning Ben from Cape Town getting ready to run Two Oceans 56k tomorrow morning. Starting time is 5.30 so a very early start here. Thanks for all the tips have a great run on Sunday.

[neilgrangermagic]

Great video, Ben! I'm running my first London Marathon this year and this was super useful!! Getting so excited now! Good luck to everyone else running Manchester, London or any other Marathon this year! Let's get this done!!!

[ekman]

This made me stressed, was hoping i could just turn up 20min before the race, run it and go home. Preperations stresses me out.

[HoppySabbathHomestead]

Thank you, I am training for my first 5k and am so excited. I just finished c25k, but my pace is about 45 mins to finish, so I still have a bit of work to do. I appreciate your content!

[david_walsh]

Hey Ben, I’ve only recently discovered your channel and love your content. Super inspiring and it’s sparked that running flame within me. Thanks for that. Big fan! Also ordered your running hat which I can’t wait to receive. 👌

[matthewpotter]

Having done a few marathons and half marathons now, I can say that it takes a bit of trial and error to work out what ultimately works for you.

For me this is such an important aspect of the marathon, and perhaps something that people sometimes under estimate. Race day is completely different from your usual training runs. For most people, I imagine they open the front door and away they go. This means it’s easy to plan your pre run hydration and nutrition. However, on marathon day, you typically need to be up earlier, which means eating earlier. Then there is the travel to the start line which you need to factor in, plus all the waiting around at the start area. This is why planning is key.

The other thing to factor in is running abroad! E.g…. Will I be able to get my usual pre run food easily?

[stolts]

You need to be sure your hydration is on target. Not just being hydrated but don't over do it and have to pea during the race. Running events might not be a concern, but I had a tremendous pain during the bike of a triathlon because of the pressure on my bladder from leaning over the bars. I finally pulled into the woods. Felt fantastic!

[kylekermgard]

This is getting my race nerves up and mine isn't for another 5 or 6 weeks

[kennethmonroe]

Thanks for the video Ben. I ran my first marathon Saturday, the Carmel Marathon (in Indiana, USA), and I did much better than expected. I ran a Boston Qualifying time of 3:43:45 (M60-64). Surprisingly, I was not nervous. I think it was because I had been training 5 days a week since November, and my only expectation was to finish in 4 hours or less. I got to the starting corral late and lined up in the 10:00 minute/mile section. I knew not to start too fast. I set a comfortable pace and pretty much maintained it throughout the race.

[KonstantinLoginov-Norway]

Ben, your videos helped me so much to run my first marathon! (3:53!) Thank you! (Also, looking forward to run Valencia 2024 in one of the these new singlets you announced! 🙂)