If you’re going out for a casual 26.2-mile jog around our city this weekend (April 21) – no biggie, right? – you’ll be pleased to know that many businesses around London are gearing up to show their support. So, if you’re looking to celebrate your incredible achievement this weekend – why not do it for free? Here are some London Marathon freebies and offers to take advantage of this weekend. Just flash your finisher’s medal and relax…
1. Free travel
As with previous years, TfL is making it easier for participants to get to and from the race with free travel. London Marathon runners can take advantage of free travel across the London Underground and Overground services, and on the DLR and London buses. The free service will run until 6:30pm on marathon day.
Do be aware, however, that industrial action on national rail services may affect your travel. Aslef members will be operating under an overtime ban across the weekend, from April 19 – 20. So if you’re travelling into London from the northeast, there is a reduced service and you may face cancellations.
2. Free sushi
When you’re done with the marathon, roll your way over to one of SushiDogs’ London stores for one of the many delicious London Marathon freebies. Runners can enjoy free SushiDog rolls, bowls or salads when they visit on the day of the marathon. Does anyone have a last-minute marathon entry I can take? I wouldn’t mind a free sushi roll!
📍 Find your nearest SushiDog location here.
3. Free pasta
If you’re desperately in need of a carbo-load following the multi-hour run through London, be sure to head over to Pastaio. They’re giving London Marathon finishers a free bowl of their delicious fresh pasta on race day. This could be anything from their 8-hour beef and porcini bolognese to their Dorset crab spaghetti. Yum!
📍 19 Ganton Street, Carnaby, London W1F 9BN.
🚇 Nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus.
4. Free steak
Over at the Hippodrome Casino’s Heliot Steak House, there’s a two-day deal waiting for London Marathon runners. Head on down for a meal on either April 21 or 22, and you can enjoy an Argentinian Rib Eye Steak, completely for free. You may well need a protein boost after such a Herculean success, after all.
📍 Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
5. Free burger
Upstairs from the Heliot Steak House is another beefy London Marathon freebie for runners to enjoy. The Hippodrome Casino’s Rooftop is offering finishers a complimentary Claire Heliot Burger on April 21 or 22. Head on up and reward yourself with a hearty complimentary meal!
📍 Hippodrome Casino, Cranbourn Street, Leicester Square, WC2H 7JH.
🚇 Nearest station is Leicester Square.
6. Free ice baths
If your aching muscles require some recovery after the 26.2-mile run, head on over to Gymshark’s flagship store for a free ice bath. The athletics-wear brand has partnered with LUMI Therapy to bring some shocking yet soothing ice-y treatments for marathon runners. Can you handle the heat freezing temperatures?
📍 165 Regent Street, W1S 3BE.
🚇 Nearest stations are Piccadilly Circus and Oxford Circus.
7. Free champagne
Settling in for a cracking meal at one of London’s delightful The Ivy restaurants? Thanks to their sparkling giveaway you can make it a proper celebration. Runners can enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne at any of their restaurants on marathon day.
📍 Find your nearest The Ivy location here.
8. Free kebab
If you’ve been eating clean and working hard to prepare for the Marathon, why not celebrate by treating yourself to a downright filthy kebab – for free! Kebhouze is giving away complimentary kebabs to London Marathon finishers on April 21, and they’re also rewarding their supporters with a discount. If you were cheering them on to the finish line, enjoy a 26% discount on the day with the code ‘RUN26’ at the store’s self-checkout counters.
Keep an eye out during the marathon, because they’ll also be on hand to pass out free kebabs during the marathon to the runners. Who needs a protein bar or an energy drink when you can chow down on a kebab mid-run?
📍 159 Oxford Street, London W1D 2JL
🚇 Nearest station is Oxford Circus.
9. Free pasta or pizza
Vapiano is here to help with your muscle recovery and to fill your growling empty stomach. They’re offering a complimentary bowl of their fresh pasta or pizza to all participants. And they’re running the promotion from April 21 to April 25, giving you plenty of time to claim your reward. Just show your medal, and your main will be on the house!
📍 Find your nearest Vapiano here.
10. Free spa products
Lush is here to help you relax after the momentous effort of running 26.2 miles. They know that what you really want to do is soothe your muscles with a nice long bath. To help you unwind, they’re giving away a Cold Water Soother Epsom salt cube*, and one Wiccy Magic Muscles solid massage oil bar. To secure your spa goodies head to the participating Lush locations between April 21 – 28, and show them your medal.
📍 Lush Waterloo Station, Oxford Street, Paddington Station, or Victoria Station
11. Free drinks
After all that, you’re probably thirsty AF right?! So why not enjoy a drink – on the house? Greene King is rewarding marathon runners with a free post-marathon Guinness, Guinness 0.0%, Beefeater Gin & Tonic, or soft drink. Just head to any of their London pubs (there are over 115 of them) from April 21 – 23, and score yourself a nice refreshing sip. It really does taste better when it’s free!
📍 Find your nearest participating Greene King pub here.
So, there you have it. Some of the best London Marathon freebies to take advantage of this weekend. Go ahead, reward yourself!