Here’s a fun detail: Most runners hit a “wall” around mile 20. The average time includes a 10-minute walk break right there. It’s called the “Surrey Quays Slog.” Everyone slows down. Even the pros feel it.
But here’s the real secret: The average time is slower than you think. Many first-timers expect to finish in 4 hours. They don’t. The real average is closer to 5 hours for most people. Why? Because you have to eat a banana, put on a fresh shirt, and cry a little at mile 23. It’s normal.
The Charity Lottery
London is the biggest fundraising marathon on Earth. Many runners raise thousands for charity. They run slower because they wave at their fundraising page signs. The average time is basically a money meter. Slow runners raise more cash. It’s science.
Visualising London Marathon Strava Data
So if you finish in 5 hours, wear it like a badge of honor. You probably raised £2,000. The 2-hour elite guy just got a check. You got a trophy for the heart.
