On Sunday 26 April 2026, Blackheath Common will come alive with the sound of the starting gun and the surge of over 50,000 runners. The course unfolds: Tower Bridge, the cheers along the Embankment, the familiar landmarks. For many, the first 16 or 17 miles pass in a state of quiet euphoria. Then miles 18, 19 and 20 arrive. The relentless concrete begins to tell. Small rubs become painful pressure points, toes chafe, and what felt manageable suddenly demands every ounce of resolve.

The TCS London Marathon is not simply a test of endurance over 26.2 miles. It’s six hours of repeated impact on unyielding surfaces, compounded by fluctuating temperatures and the psychological lift of the crowd. These factors can turn minor vulnerabilities into significant discomfort. Runners who reach the Mall with composure rather than grim determination are often those who have integrated foot care into their training from the outset: ensuring shoes never remain damp after long runs, experimenting with tape during peak weeks, confirming the precise sock-and-shoe combination well in advance, and allowing no moisture to linger overnight.

With six weeks remaining, the time to refine these habits is now. Establish a consistent post-run drying routine. Test taping on your longest efforts to identify what works best for you. Rotate training shoes so one pair stays fresh. In the final fortnight, incorporate light foot massage or rolling to aid recovery.

The London Marathon remains one of the most uplifting events in the British sporting calendar: the shared endeavour, the strangers cheering you on through some of the world’s most iconic locations, and of course, the weight of the finisher’s medal. Yet its full reward is reserved for those whose feet are prepared to carry them the entire distance. We often think about the mental preparation, and the physical in terms of miles in our running plan. But it’s our body that carries us through it all.