Running a marathon is a dream for many, and the London Marathon is one of the biggest in the world. It’s full of energy, cheering crowds, and unforgettable moments. A writer from Travel + Leisure was given just 10 weeks to prepare for this major race — far less than the usual 16 weeks — but decided to give it a go.
She turned 40 during training and put her heart into every step. Being a researcher, she studied everything: the best running apps (like Runna), nutrition (lots of carb-loading), and recovery methods like sauna and cold plunges in Lisbon, Portugal.
Despite rain and tough conditions, she stayed focused. She even ran on her birthday in the Maldives, repeating the same route over and over. She also raised money for the British Heart Foundation in honor of her father, who survived a heart attack.
Before the race, she stayed at The Westin London City, which supported runners with a shakeout run, recovery tools, and even champagne after finishing. The hotel staff made her feel welcome and helped her feel ready.
On race day, she was nervous but excited. With support from her husband and strangers cheering, she ran through London’s famous sights like Tower Bridge and Big Ben. She cried, laughed, and finally crossed the finish line proud—and ready to do another marathon.
With marathon tourism growing fast, searches for “European marathons” have jumped by 403%. The most popular ones for 2025 include:
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Vienna City Marathon (Austria)
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Limassol Marathon (Cyprus)
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Prague Marathon (Czech Republic)
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Paris Marathon (France)
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Copenhagen Marathon (Denmark)
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Rotterdam Marathon (Netherlands)
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London Marathon (UK)
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Stockholm Marathon (Sweden)
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Hamburg Marathon (Germany)
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Madrid Marathon (Spain)
Whether you’re running for fun or a personal goal, Europe has plenty of exciting races waiting for you!
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