The London Marathon might be your chance to turn stagnation into action.
Marathons are one of those things you always say you want to eventually do, but never get around to. Especially for runners, the idea of eventually taking one on, but never actually doing so, really reflects the way we get stuck in our daily lives. Quick question: ever thought about taking on the London Marathon?
Now is the perfect chance to actually do it, because if not now, then when?
The 2026 London Marathon Took place a few days ago, and your chance to sign up for next year’s edition expires on the 1st of May (Today!) But even if you read this after that, it’s never too late to start training.
The event was first held in 1981, and has since become a national icon, attracting runners from all over the world. This includes elite runners, amateurs, and charity participants. This year, the event started in Greenwich, running West near and across the Thames, all the way to Buckingham palace.
Inspirational Runners
This time around, it featured 60,000 runners, making it one of the biggest races ever. It’s one big inspiration for anyone who feels stuck in their lives.
Kenyan runner Sebastian Sawe set a stunning world record, being the first to ever run the standard 26.2 miles in under two hours. Coming from a humble rural background, Sawe endured relentless high altitude training, and has uplifted himself to the status of international icon. He proves that every barrier that you may feel stuck behind can be broken.
Born in another nation renowned for its runners, Ethiopian star Tigst Assefa used to be a medium distance runner, but has since reinvented herself. Stunningly, at the London Marathon, she broke the woman’s world record, with a time of 2:15:21. She has broken every ceiling, and is a reminder that if you are stuck, sometimes the best way to get moving again is to change direction.
Of those 60,000 runners, 59,830 finished, setting a yet another world record. It isn’t only Assefa and Sawe. Each one of them is a reminder of what you can accomplish.
Beyond the London Marathon
Over a million people applied to take part in 2026, and of those, only 20,000 amateurs were chosen through lottery. So in reality, your chances of getting picked are quite slim, somewhere around 5 percent. But even if you aren’t able to take part anytime soon, you should still consider taking up running, and dreaming of running a marathon eventually.
First of all, it’s is great for anyone stuck in an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle. The benefits are obvious: improved cardiovascular health, strengthened heart, stronger leg and core muscles, boosted immune system, and more. Many people don’t have the privilege to be able to run, let alone to run the London Marathon, so if you are lucky enough to be able bodied, take that opportunity.
Secondly, there are the mental benefits, because when your body is stuck, your mind also often is. This is obvious, but running helps with stress and anxiety, improving mood, emotional wellbeing and concentration.
Combine these with the sense of achievement when you are able to reach a new milestone and the euphoria is unmatched.
From Stuck to Striding
For most, getting started is the hardest part. You have probably heard of the app Couch To 5k, but it still deserves a mention. I am actually one of the many runners that have used it as a starting point. It begins with intermittent running, stopping and starting, and has a very gentle progression. After a few weeks, the progress feels like magic, and within a few months you will be able to easily run for half an hour, or about five kilometres. However, only about 1/8th of a London Marathon!
When runners reach 5k, the cardio improvements are the first thing they notice. I, anyway, found that my breath was no longer the limiting factor. I could run for a lot longer, which I did. Terrible mistake. Running isn’t only about stamina, but also physical endurance. It places repetitive stress on tendons, ligaments and cartilage.
After experiencing the highs of running, injuries can leave you feeling even more stuck than you were before. Recovery from is something all runners, including myself, have had to deal with. Taking care of my body for me meant strength training, slow progress with distance, and stopping at any sign of pain or discomfort.
To date, I have only ever ran a half marathon, at Hampton Court Palace, not exactly the London Marathon; it still felt like one of the greatest achievements in my life. On your road to the London Marathon, take part in as many of these smaller events as you can, running is done best in groups, runners support each other. And even if you never get there, it will still have been worth it.
Get Moving
If you feel physically or mentally stuck, and you are able to, set your sights on the London Marathon. It’s an event that, if you are ever able to take part in, you will never forget. I, for one, was on the sidelines cheering on the runners, because that’s what runners do. They push each other forward, because they remember the feeling of being stuck, and they cherish the act of movement, the feeling of movement, that running embodies. The London Marathon is a lofty goal, but why not try to reach it, in your own time, together.
To also help you get moving, check out our articles on inpirational athletes Lucy Bronze and Frank Bruno.
