The weekend began with a shakeout run for hotel guests, including a group of journalists from the US, at The Westin London City (I host monthly run clubs on the first Thursday of every month at 7am – sign up here!) I lead I honestly think our 5K route is one of the best sightseeing in London! We run over the Millennium Bridge to St Paul’s. After The Globe and The Shard, and over Tower Bridge, back to the hotel behind the Tower of London.

Looking at the TCS London Marathon 2023

After our run, we were treated to a stretch class from Bala. You can borrow any balla band and block in your rooms at Westin hotels. Plus the Hyperis Massage Gun – ideal if you’re traveling for a run!

We took the reporters to St James’ Park to catch the mini-marathon and see the finishing area before marathon day. and chatted about the course, race day logistics and London in general.

There seemed to be more happening in London this weekend to celebrate the marathon, with a number of Shake Out runs, in-store events, panels/talks and activations. I stopped by the on store to signal my friends to hold on. and bought some Percy Piggs and Collin Caterpillars to share with the American runners. I tried to make it up to Tracksmith but got stopped by the rain (no umbrella!).

I load up like a champ at a Westin pasta dinner the night before. Spectating is *almost* as exhausting as running!

It was my first weekend away from Bertie. But sadly, my body clock didn’t get the memo and I woke up at 6 am. I enjoyed a cup of tea in bed listening to the podcast that started the day before Liz came to my room to get her ponytail done. I then had some fruit and coffee for breakfast and then walked the journalists to London Bridge via the marathon start line in Blackheath. I ran across Tower Bridge and along the marathon course with James & Chris from the Westin team, back to the hotel.

The Westin has partnered with the Abbott World Marathon Majors and set up a marathon zone with sign making, pompoms and T-shirts.

It was great fun being a part of the cheer squad outside the hotel. Apparently our Westins were sporting the yellow—they were giving out cute T-shirts and long-sleeved running tops with marathon majors printed on the back. If you’re looking to earn your six stars in the next few years, keep your eyes peeled for fun events and swag.

I was also invited by TCS to the Marathon Finish Line Hospitality which I couldn’t turn down! At The Mall I saw Sifan Hassan win his first marathon and Kevin Kiptum set a new course record. And most exciting of all, got to meet the goat Eliud Kipchoge! My friend Robbie from the London Marathon events was her mentor which was incredibly lucky for me. (I actually saw Robbie first and almost launched in for a hug before I even noticed who he was standing next to!)

Cheering for marathons is one of my favorite things to do.

Celebrate with those who’ve had a good day, cheer on those who hit a tough spot, and applaud with runners who haven’t hit their goal. I loved getting a front row seat down the finish stretch, watching people run PBs, completing my first 26.2, running it together, and celebrating hundreds of miles to reach the finish line.

My friend Cortney and I hopped back and forth between the finish line and Mile 23.5 outside the downtown Westin London. I caught most of my friends running in one spot – love these pics of Bethan running past the hotel.

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