The London Marathon 2026
Having recently started work for a new employer as a steward, I honestly didn’t expect my first ever shift for the company would be helping with crowd control at the London Marathon. But on Sunday, April 26, we set off at 5.30am on a coach from Canterbury to London.
Everything was pretty quiet when we arrived. Of course, everything was already in place: the barriers, mile markers, drink stations and a lot of road closures. I was stationed at Canary Wharf, where I was fortunate enough to be able to see the runners twice – once between miles 15 and 16, before they appeared again on the other side of the road at mile 18.
I had absolutely no idea what to expect on the day. Despite being a Londoner until relocating to Kent in 2008, I’d never been to watch the race live. But what I was witnessed was incredible. I hadn’t long been in position when the noise from the spectators increased in decibels – the wheelchair race was already under way and I saw first-hand just how fast they actually go! The cheers and support from the crowd was amazing.
Next, the elite women came past, then I got a glimpse of the elite men. I didn’t know until the next day that Sabastian Sawe had won the race in under two hours – how did he do that?!
By the time the club and fun runners got to where I was, the crowds had grown, the sun was shining and it seemed everyone had a placard or banner of some sort, in support of a participant; it was a fantastic atmosphere. As the afternoon wore on, the runners kept on coming, in their thousands. I saw people dressed up in all sorts of colourful regalia and cardboard cut-outs. Some of the ones I saw were a telephone box, a car, Radox bottles and someone dressed in a hippo costume. There was even a guy carrying a fridge on his back. But it was all in the name of charity and I have so much admiration for anyone who chooses to run a marathon.
Although it was hard work sometimes with the huge crowds, I really enjoyed the whole experience. I finished my shift at 5.30pm and on the coach home, we passed runners who were still on the course. I really hope they managed to complete it and receive their medal, because never has a medal been so richly deserved.
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