Got Marathon Fever After The London Marathon? Here's 5 Ways To Harness Your Motivation

Are you feeling super inspired after watching the London marathon 2026? Here’s how to avoid that motivation fading away…

You wouldn’t be alone if you shed a tear or lost your voice supporting the London marathon this year. After all, it was a record-breaking occasion, with both the male and female world records falling, and two men running under two hours for the marathon for the very first time!

If that has left you with a big dose of marathon fever – alongside quite a few of the CF team – now is the perfect time to harness that feeling to power your own workout journey. So, whether it was the electric atmosphere, the personal stories, or simply the idea of doing something incredible for yourself through running, here are five ways to channel the energy you felt watching the London Marathon 2026 into lasting fitness goals…

1. Sign up for the ballot

While inspiration is still fresh, channel that excitement into something tangible by entering the 2027 ballot. But, be quick – it closes soon on Friday 1st May! Signing up takes mere minutes and you can consider it your first, important step in shifting your mindset from fitness spectator to active participant. Ballot results are typically released later in the year (usually early autumn), which gives you something to look forward to and a reason to keep moving in the meantime, even if it’s just a small run outside while the weather is nice. And, if you don’t get a place in the ballot, there are always charity places or alternatives races to consider if your enthusiasm hasn’t faltered and you’ll be surprised how motivating a disappointing ‘no’ can actually be. Or, if you really want to make use of the marathon fever you currently have, why not sign up to other 2027 marathons that don’t require a ballot, including Brighton, Manchester and Edinburgh. Entries to all of them are open right now.

2. Lace up your trainers at a smaller event

You don’t need to jump straight into the London Marathon’s 26.2 miles to kick start your fitness goals. In fact, if you haven’t run since what feels like school, beginning with a smaller event can help you maintain motivation and build your fitness levels, before you take the big plunge. Weekly Parkruns are a brilliant entry point, and there’s probably one happening right near you every Saturday, regardless of whether you live in a busy city or the countryside, such is their popularity. Best of all, they’re free, welcoming, and attract a mix of abilities, so there’s no pressure to sprint off the start line. In fact, you can walk, jog, or run, and simply getting into the rhythm of showing up each week builds consistency that can have a big impact on your fitness goals. Alternatively, consider entering one of the smaller events offered by RunThorough, the leading organiser of UK running events, which can help you build from 5k all the way up to a full marathon, while experiencing that big event atmosphere (and, perhaps most importantly, a nice, shiny medal). Or, if connection is your biggest driver, there’s a growing number of female-focused run clubs too, where you can meet like-minded women, and have a sense of accountability to show up to help you stick to your new running routine. Have a look at Finsbury Flyers and Runners ‘n’ Stunners as good starting points.

3. Get the right kit

Sometimes the best way to get yourself out the door for exercise is to ensure you feel good while doing it, and the right fitness attire can definitely do that. First, there’s the psychological boost that a new outfit can give you, even if you only take your new athleisurewear out on a walk to get you moving. It’s not all about appearance either. The right clothing can actually transform your workout by helping you avoid overheating, blisters and chaffing, which beginners sometimes mistake as signs of their own lack of fitness. Our advice: start with a properly fitted pair of trainers. The general guidance is that you should opt for at least a half size up to avoid blisters or painful toenails, but visiting a specialist running store for a free gait analysis can make all the difference, helping you find shoes that suit your stride and reduce joint strain. Equally, consider the details of your workout clothes, opting for moisture-wicking fabrics to keep you cool, a supportive sports bra that minimises discomfort, and layers that work with unpredictable weather. And if you really want to keep the smile from London on your face, New Balance – the official apparel sponsor of the London Marathon 2026 – has released a limited edition runner’s range, which we predict will become pretty collectable. That includes the New Balance TCS London Marathon 1080v15 Shoes in summer-friendly yellow and pink. Or you could pick up the same trainers that saw winner Sabastian Sawe scoop the world record, the Adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 3 if you want a helping hand with your next PB!

4. Prolong your motivation

Motivation naturally ebbs and flows, so to protect yours as long as possible after the London Marathon, try to build some easy-to-achieve fitness habits into your day-to-day routine. Running apps, such as Runna, are becoming increasingly popular because they can provide structure to your training through personalised programmes – even if it is just once or twice a week – while also tracking your progress, and celebrating your small wins along the way. Equally, for complete beginners, Couch to 5k (which saw a boom in popularity during the Covid19 lockdowns) is still a tried-and-tested method to get you moving gradually, without the risk of motivation-sapping injuries or sky-high targets. Another way to go about boosting your marathon fever is to focus on your mind, because it’s not just your feet that have to get you out of the door to the gym or another type of fitness class. For example, Getahead is an on-demand sports psychology app for athletes of all levels that’s specifically designed to help you push yourself further (and it can have a positive knock on effect with your confidence at work and socially too). Check out the Marathon Mindset Foundation plan for guided audio, visualisation and other Q&A-based techniques and tools, which can not only keep you feeling motivated to complete a marathon, but help you have the best experience and best time possible while doing it.

5. Use running to take you further

Once you’ve caught the running bug, it doesn’t have to stop at home soil. In fact, we’d recommend it doesn’t! One of the most exciting ways to keep spirits high is to set your sights on a destination race abroad – so even if your motivation for the marathon fades a little, you have something to fuel your sense of adventure, as well as your fitness goals. After all, endurance tourism is becoming one of the biggest trends in women’s health and fitness, so you’ll be in very good company if you decide to take the plunge. As for what to go for, if you’re looking for iconic international marathons, the New York City Marathon and the Tokyo Marathon remain bucket-list staples (with Rome Marathon hot on their heels, not least as it is probably the best place to carb-load in the world!). Companies such as Sports Tours International and Realbuzz, the leading global supplier of charity running programmes, can help get you there stress free (with packages that combine race entry with flight packages). And, if you’re ready to push yourself further into endurance territory, ultra events open up a completely different world of running. I’ll be taking on the Kerlingarfjöll Ultra this year in Iceland, and I can’t think of a better way to get up close and personal with some of the country’s famous and breathtaking geothermic landscape. Plus, I’m eyeing up the IronMan 70.3 Costa Navarino in Greece later in the year too; another opportunity to combine my love of fitness and travel.

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Becki Murray is Citizen Femme’s Beauty and Wellness Director and one of the only UK journalists to hold a Distinction-grade diploma in cosmetic science. Becki also heads up CF’s spa guide, so you could say she’s an expert in the science of relaxation too…