London Marathon Medal Freebies Food Drinks And Recovery Perks For Finishers

The London Marathon is not only a prestigious 26.2-mile race through the streets of London but also a gateway to numerous freebies and discounts for participants. Beyond the coveted medal that awaits finishers, establishments across the city offer rewards to those who complete the grueling course. These perks, available to runners who present their marathon medal, range from complimentary meals and drinks to recovery aids and transportation benefits. While many of these offers have become annual traditions, some are confirmed for the 2024 event, while others remain anticipated based on previous years' participation. This guide details the various freebies and benefits available to London Marathon participants, helping runners maximize their post-race celebration and recovery.

Food and Drink Rewards

One of the most anticipated aspects of completing the London Marathon is the opportunity to indulge in free food and drinks at various establishments across the city. Many restaurants, bars, and pubs have made it an annual tradition to reward marathon finishers with complimentary meals and beverages when they present their medal.

Restaurant Free Meals

Several restaurants offer complete meals to marathon participants:

• The Real Greek provides a free Greek Plate to finishers, with vegan options available. The offer can be used at any branch, including those outside London, with the nearest location to the marathon route being in Covent Garden.

• Franco Manca offers a free pizza from their spring/summer menu when finishers show their medal on race day or the following Monday (April 27). This nationwide chain makes it convenient for runners to claim their reward regardless of their location.

• Pastaio joins the ranks of establishments offering free meals, providing complimentary plates of pasta to anyone with a finisher's medal on race day. The offer applies to most pasta dishes on their menu, making it an ideal choice for carb-loading after the race.

• For those craving something more substantial, Boulevard Brasserie in Covent Garden offers a free burger and fries, while Palm Court Brasserie, also in Covent Garden, provides free steak and fries to finishers.

Burger and Fast Food Offers

Burger lovers have multiple options for free post-race meals:

• MEATLiquor, a fixture of the marathon freebies calendar, offers any burger on the menu (including vegetarian and vegan options) to medal holders on race day. The nearest location to the meet and greet area in Horse Guards Parade is MEATLiquor W1 on Margaret Street, near Oxford Circus, though the offer is available at all nine London branches. London Marathon volunteers are also eligible for a free burger by showing their volunteer badge.

Beverage Freebies

After completing the marathon, many runners celebrate with complimentary drinks:

• The Ivy offers a free glass of champagne at any of their London locations to finishers who present their medal.

• Greene King provides free beer at any of their 128 London pubs to medal holders, with the offer valid until May 1, giving runners an extended period to claim their reward.

• Three Cheers Pub Co., operating nine South London pubs, will serve free beer to finishers specifically on race day.

• At Bill's restaurants, finishers can enjoy a free Peroni, Lucky Saint, Aperol Spritz, or soft drink. The four Bill's locations closest to the marathon route are in Soho, Covent Garden, Victoria, and Clink Street (Bankside). The offer also extends to London Marathon volunteers, who should show their badge to claim their free drink.

• For those preferring coffee, while not explicitly mentioned in the sources, many coffee shops along the route may offer complimentary beverages or discounts to marathon participants, though specific details would need to be confirmed closer to the event date.

Recovery and Wellness Benefits

Recovery is a crucial aspect of post-marathon experiences, and several establishments offer products and services to help runners recuperate:

• Lush provides marathon finishers with a free Epsom Salt Cube and a Wiccy Magic Muscles massage bar to help with recovery. The Epsom Salt Cube is designed for use in cold water but can also be used in a hot bath. Participating Lush stores include those at Waterloo Station, Oxford Street, Paddington Station, and Victoria Station, with the offer valid from Sunday April 21 to Sunday April 28.

• For runners who prefer aquatic recovery, Brockwell Lido and North London Park Road Leisure Centre and Lido offer free swimming sessions for marathoners. Participants need to show their confirmation of race entry upon arrival, and these sessions are available both before and after the race.

• Various locations reportedly offer free yoga and stretching sessions to help runners recover, though specific details about these offerings would need to be confirmed closer to the event date.

• Boots has partnered with Deliveroo to offer runners a £10 voucher (when spending more than £20) on recovery products such as bath salts, blister treatments, and electrolytes for rehydration. The marathon roo-covery hub is accessible through the Deliveroo app, and 125 Boots stores across the UK are participating in this offer.

Transportation Benefits

Getting around London on marathon day is made easier with several transportation freebies:

• Transport for London (TfL) offers free travel on the London Underground and DLR on race day, with participants needing to show their bib to take advantage of this offer. The free travel is only available until 5pm, and it's unclear whether free bus travel is included, as experiences have varied in previous years.

• C2C provides free train travel to participants, both on the way to the start and on the return journey. Runners should show their race number or finisher's medal at the station, though seating availability may be limited.

• Southeastern offers runners free travel to the start in Blackheath from London Bridge, Cannon Street, Charing Cross, Waterloo East, and London Victoria. Participants should show their race bib to station staff, who will allow them through the gate.

Souvenirs and Commemorative Items

Beyond consumable freebies, some establishments offer commemorative items to marathon participants:

• Tracksmith's London store on Chiltern Street in Marylebone offers a commemorative race poster stamped with the runner's London Marathon time. While the specific times for when this offer will be available in 2024 are yet to be confirmed, it has been a regular offering in previous years. The store also features a range of limited-edition London Marathon gear that can be purchased as a souvenir.

Anticipated Freebies

While some offers are confirmed for the 2024 London Marathon, others remain anticipated based on previous years' participation:

• The stamped race poster at Tracksmith is expected to return, though the specific times for availability will be confirmed in the build-up to the race.

• Various other establishments have historically offered discounts or free items to marathon participants, though these may only be announced on social media in the week of the race. Runners are advised to follow their favorite brands and restaurants on social media for potential last-minute offers.

Eligibility and Redemption

The eligibility criteria for these freebies generally require participants to present their London Marathon medal, though some offers extend to volunteers who can show their volunteer badge instead. Most offers are valid on race day only, though some extend to the days following the event, with specific dates mentioned for each establishment.

For restaurant offers, the majority are typically for dine-in customers only, though some may extend to takeout options. The requirement to show the medal is universal across all offers, ensuring that only those who completed the marathon can claim these rewards.

Planning Your Freebie Route

With numerous freebies available across London, runners may want to plan their route to maximize their post-race experience:

• Establishments closest to the marathon route include those in Covent Garden, Victoria, and areas near Oxford Circus, making these convenient options for runners immediately after finishing.

• For those staying in London for a few days after the race, offers valid on Monday (such as Franco Manca's free pizza) provide additional opportunities to claim rewards.

• Some offers, like Lush's free bath products and Boots' recovery vouchers, can be claimed at multiple locations throughout the week, providing flexibility for runners.

Conclusion

The London Marathon offers more than just the challenge of completing 26.2 miles; it provides participants with access to numerous freebies and discounts across London. From complimentary meals and drinks at restaurants and bars to recovery aids and transportation benefits, these rewards make completing the marathon even more worthwhile. While some offers are confirmed for the 2024 event, others remain anticipated based on previous years' participation. Runners should be prepared to present their medal to claim these rewards and may want to plan their post-race route to maximize their experience. With establishments spanning various categories—from food and drink to recovery and transportation—there are plenty of opportunities for marathon finishers to celebrate their achievement while enjoying the generosity of participating businesses.

Sources

1. Coach Web - Free Stuff You Can Get With Your London Marathon Medal
2. LondonCheapo - The Best Freebies for London Marathon Runners
3. Get Sweat Go - Virgin London Marathon Expert Guide